Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3)

by Ahren Sanders

  “Wow.”

  “What about you?”

  “What about me? I live with my other best friend off the strip and moved here after college.”

  “What about family?”

  My stomach clenches and I try to keep a straight face. It’s only fair for him to wonder. But my relationship with my family and my history is long buried in the past. “No family.”

  His lips form a thin line. “No family?”

  “Not anymore. I cut all ties my senior year of college, graduated, and auditioned for Cirque. Dante, Ryanne—my roommate, and the Cirque have been my life and family since.”

  “That explains Dante a lot clearer.”

  “Yeah,” I agree.

  “Have you always been a dancer?”

  “Yes, it wasn’t just my passion, it was my existence. In high school, one of my instructors took an interest and helped me apply for college. The only way I could go was on a scholarship, so I busted my ass to make it happen.”

  “You were phenomenal out there tonight.”

  “Thanks, but I’m only as good as my crew. We make it work.”

  “Family.”

  “Family,” I repeat, grinning up at him. “We’re all a bunch of dream chasers.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with chasing your dreams.”

  I finish my drink and place the flute on the table. “What’s next? I’m pretty sure this bar is closing.”

  “Whatever you’d like.”

  My nerves kick back into gear as I realize I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. This complete night is unreal and out of character. It’s beyond partying with new friends and kissing a man I met hours ago. Evin Graham is completely, undeniably, one-hundred percent out of my league.

  He picks up on my hesitance, taking my hand. “Let’s walk.”

  I let out a quiet breath, letting him help me to my feet. Walking is good. It will clear my head and this highly dangerous fog that Evin has put me under.

  He guides us around the hotel, thankfully taking up the conversation with ease. We’re passing a jewelry store when something catches my eye.

  In the display is a unique and beautiful ring of hammered metal resembling a flower. There’s a large stone in the center that I assume is a diamond.

  “See something you like?”

  “That ring resembles a Poppy.”

  “It’s nice.”

  “Yes.”

  “We can come back tomorrow when the store is open.”

  I tilt my head, noting he’s serious. “Oh no, I just wanted to look. It’s so unique.”

  He studies me for a minute, then tugs me along again. We end up outside by the fountains. The area is deserted this time of the morning.

  “I’ve lived here a while and never gotten used to the view.” I gaze at the Eiffel Tower across the strip.

  “It’s incredible.”

  Something in his voice makes me peer up. His eyes bore into mine. I was wrong about the walk clearing the fog. It’s impossible to be near this man and avoid his spell. There’s no question his mere presence demands attention.

  He’s looking at me with such tenderness my heart races. The air around us changes. Before I lose my courage, I tip up on my toes, pressing my mouth to his. He releases my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist and closing any space between us.

  My lips part and his tongue curls with mine. I have no choice but to follow his lead.

  The instant his fingers glide up my neck and into my hair, I know this kiss has the possibility to change my life. The scent of his cologne, the taste of champagne, the feeling of his hard body holding me tight—everything about it burns in my brain.

  I clutch onto his shoulders, slanting to give him better access. His low moan sends sparks racing through my veins. Desire and need I’ve never experienced build and root deep inside. His tongue sweeps through my mouth, his strokes speeding. My knees wobble and I grow lightheaded but don’t dare stop.

  My hip brushes across the large, hard bulge in his pants, and a sense of empowerment shoots straight through me. The fact that his body is responding like mine is thrilling.

  My experience with men may be limited, but never has anything felt like this. If possible, his strokes become more heated and greedy and a small whimper bubbles up my throat.

  His hand cups the back of my scalp and he slows, kissing across my lips gently before placing his forehead to mine.

  “That right there is why I want to wake up to you in the morning. Nothing more, Poppy. No pressure, no hidden intentions, and no bullshit. You’re safe with me. If you can trust in that, I swear to fucking God, you will never feel safer.”

  I filled my life with tremendous risks and leaps of faith, relying on my instincts to guide me. I’ve never regretted my decisions.

  Right now, the same intuitions are telling me I can trust this man.

  Everything around us fades. This moment is about much more than two people sharing a first kiss under the romantic lights of the strip. It’s bigger, it’s terrifying, and it’s exhilarating.

  I push away the fact that he’s leaving in a few days, and the chances of anything coming out of this are impossible. Instead, I follow my instincts.

  “Okay.”

  His eyes flash with relief before shimmering the most brilliant shade of gleaming amber. It’s then I understand I don’t stand a chance. If this is the way it feels, I don’t want to avoid his spell.

  Chapter 3

  Evin

  Shards of light stream through the slits in the curtains as the sun rises. Normally, I’d enjoy the early morning. Starting my day with a quick run, mentally preparing my schedule, and catching up on the financial news before heading into the office.

  But today is different. This morning, the sunrise is a reminder that my time is limited.

  Twelve hours ago, I was sitting in a bar in this swank Las Vegas hotel, throwing back liquor and wondering how to get out of another night of Scottie’s plans.

  That damn show.

  Not my scene.

  Two more minutes and I was gone.

  Two goddamn minutes and I would have missed her.

  Poppy Malone.

  One second is all it took.

  For the first time, everything came to a standstill.

  As if she senses my thoughts, she curls deeper into me, sighing lightly. “Do we need to get up?”

  “Not if you don’t want to.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Barely daylight.”

  “Meaning we went to bed less than three hours ago. Have you slept?” She angles her neck, giving me a full view.

  I stare down, taking in her sleepy hazel eyes, the multi-colored hair spread across my shoulder, and the glow of her face.

  Flawless Flower Child. Scottie’s words ring in my brain.

  “I dozed,” I answer, sifting my fingers through her hair.

  “Aren’t you tired?”

  “Sleep is overrated.”

  She grins lazily. “I thought maybe I was dreaming and last night was imaginary.”

  “Not imaginary.”

  “Maybe it was a different kind of dream.”

  Her statement hits me square in the gut, stirring something inside.

  “It was very much real.” My lips sweep over hers.

  She melts into me, whispering, “Best birthday ever.”

  I freeze, pulling back. “It’s your birthday?”

  “Last Tuesday. That’s why I was at the spa yesterday. I treated myself.”

  “I assumed you got to enjoy the amenities since your show is here.”

  “Not really, this was a splurge. Well worth it, even if I never even used my room. But I need to go get my bag at some point.” She shifts up to kiss me again.

  My cock goes hard when her tongue slips through my lips, and I slant to deepen the kiss. She twirls her tongue with mine, and memories of last night flash in my head. The first taste of her branded on my brain, knowing I’ll never get enough. />
  She molds to my body, wrapping her thigh around mine, and giving me complete control. Suddenly she breaks away, her eyes wide.

  “I should brush my teeth.”

  I smile and shake my head. “You taste fine to me.”

  “But…” she trails off and I pick up the hesitancy.

  I’ve had a lot of experience with women that are experts at using their sexuality to their advantage. No harm is done when both people know the stakes and leave expectations out of it.

  Hell, I’ve lived that life freely and unapologetically.

  Yesterday, that all stopped.

  I’ve never believed in the ‘one look is all it takes’ mentality. But fuck me if the woman in my arms hasn’t shattered my thoughts on the myth.

  One-night stands and casual hook-ups are not her style. Which fucking thrills me. She’s the type of woman that makes it an honor to witness that happy glow first thing in the morning.

  “Baby, we’re not in a hurry. Told you that last night.”

  “I’ve never spent the night with a man I just met before. I’m what you’d consider old-fashioned.”

  “I have no problem with old-fashioned.”

  Her eyes travel over my face, her thumb trailing across my bottom lip. “I can tell that about you. You have this gentlemanly aura.”

  “Not sure you’d think the same if you knew the thoughts racing through my head with you pressed against me.”

  She grins. “Your self-restraint is impressive.”

  “There’s a time and place for everything. Give it time and you’ll see there’s a limit to my self-restraint.”

  “Meaning you like it wild?”

  “Baby, I saw the way you sailed through the air last night and the way your body can move. Not sure I’ve ever had your kind of wild. Looking forward to finding out. As I said, we have time.”

  “I hate you are leaving tomorrow.”

  “Let’s not think about it now.”

  She settles into me again, keeping her eyes to mine. “Scottie invited me to the pool today.”

  “I heard. Pierce and Miller reserved a private cabana.”

  “Private cabana? Wow, your crew goes all out.”

  “You have no idea, only the best.”

  “Would it be weird for you if I hang out with them?”

  “Why would it be?”

  “I met them yesterday, and this morning I’m in your hotel room. Would it be strange for me to hang with your family and friends after our night together?”

  “We haven’t actually had a night together, considering Scottie and Billy didn’t leave us alone until four a.m.”

  “You know what I mean. They may assume things.”

  A spark of irritation stirs in my stomach. “My life, my business. You want to go to the cabana with them, I’ll deliver you myself and they won’t say a fucking thing.”

  “Evin,” she lowers her voice, skimming her hand up my chest and cupping my jaw. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I like your family and friends. They’re awesome, but Darby is your sister. Will she have a problem with this?”

  “A problem with me meeting a woman I’m interested in? I highly doubt it. Being that she’s my twin, she’ll pick up on things quick. And in case her pregnancy brain is lagging, her husband and his brother know what’s up.”

  “Is that why they were smirking all night?”

  “They were smirking because they enjoy fucking with me.”

  “Is that a guy-code thing?”

  “It’s a first. There’s a lot of history there, but for over a decade, I despised Pierce Kendrick. Now, he’s family. Miller’s his brother, so that makes him family, too.”

  Her jaw drops, and she squints in confusion. “You despised the man your sister married?”

  “Like I said, a lot of back history.”

  “Wow.”

  I drop my neck and run my lips across hers. “Not something we talk about much. My guess is that after a few hours with them today, you’ll get the story.”

  “Will you be with us?”

  “It’s hot as fuck outside. Although the thought of you parading around in a bathing suit could sway my mind.”

  She smiles brightly. “We could do something else if you’d rather?”

  My dick lurches again, ready to speak up about exactly what we want to do with her. But the trace of vulnerability in her voice stops me.

  “The selfish ass in me wants to keep you all for myself, but you should get the complete experience. Enjoy a few hours at the pool and I’ll make plans for us tonight.”

  Her smile dies. “I work again tonight, both shows.”

  “Then I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “After your shows, you’re mine.”

  “Okay.” She lays her cheek back to my shoulder, skating her fingers across my chest. “Tell me what you’d normally be doing on a Saturday morning in Charleston.”

  “Most likely, I’d go to Darby’s and hang with my nephew, Devin. Maybe take all the kids to my parents’ farm for horseback riding. Occasionally, my buddy Jackson likes to surf early.”

  “Darby showed me a few videos of Devin last night. He’s a cutie.”

  “He’s not cute, he’s a badass.”

  “Isn’t he eight-months-old?”

  “There’s not an age limit on it. With a name like his, he was born to be a badass.”

  “Devoted brother, proud uncle, successful business executive—not sure why you don’t have women lined up at your door.”

  My fingers thread their way back to her scalp, and I tip her head to mine. “Because none of them have rainbow-colored hair, the face of an angel, and make my heart race with one look.”

  Her lips part and eyes glimmer.

  “Babe, if this is your kind of morning beast, I can handle it.”

  “It’s different with you.”

  We lay in silence, her words hanging in the air, until eventually, her breathing shallows as she drifts back to sleep.

  Careful not to wake her, I reach for my phone. There’s a message from the concierge verifying my last request. Another message comes through from Darby confirming the cabana reservation for eleven and asking about my night.

  For a second, I consider messaging her back but decide against it. It doesn’t take long for me to purchase a ticket for Poppy’s later show and get a premium seat.

  A new text flashes on the screen from Scottie—

  She better have gotten to her room safely.

  Me—She’s safe.

  He replies instantly. Will we see y’all at the pool?

  I resist the urge to tell him to mind his own business, knowing I’m going to require his help.

  She’ll be there, and I’ll need a few favors.

  Scottie—Do these favors require working my magic? Because I’m planning on enjoying my day. He adds a martini emoji.

  Me—Pretty sure you can work your magic with a drink in your hand. Also, I’d appreciate keeping it private.

  Scottie— Anyone who paid attention last night knows you’re captivated by my flawless flower child.

  Captivated? He has no idea.

  Me—My business, Scottie.

  Scottie—A series of hearts and flowers come through.

  Jesus, what thirty-six-year-old law professional uses emojis? I don’t respond, placing the phone back on the nightstand and wrapping my arm around Poppy’s back.

  “Am I dreaming again?” she mumbles sleepily.

  “No, babe, but I need to run out. Where’s your room key?”

  “In my dress's pocket with my phone. Should I get up?”

  “No.” I skim my hand up and down her back until she’s asleep, then gently slide out from under her.

  Ten minutes later, I stare at her sprawled out across the bed. My t-shirt swallows her slight frame, and a sense of possessiveness I’ve never known stirs in my gut.

  For the first time in my life, I understand Pierce Kendrick’s obsess
ive nature.

  Reluctantly, I leave her sleeping, ready to get this shit done.

  The clock is ticking, and time isn’t on my side.

  I don’t have to see the front of her to know that I’m paying for the whole fucking cabana today. Poppy mumbles to herself, rooting through her bag, giving me extra time to take in her multi-colored bikini molding perfectly to her ass.

  “Here it is.” She whips something out. “Knew it was in here.”

  When she faces me, my dick is instantly hard.

  Every inch of her is sheer fucking perfection.

  My eyes fall to the script slanting up her ribcage, disappearing under the top of her suit. There’s another design on her right hipbone. As if the tattoos aren’t enough, a large jeweled piercing is shining in her belly button.

  “Jesus, Poppy.” I make it to her in three strides, clasping her hips. “I didn’t think it could get any better than having you wake up in my arms. You’re fucking killing me.”

  Her gaze drops to where my thumb is grazing over the ink on her hipbone.

  “I’ve had them so long it’s easy to forget they’re there.”

  “I can promise you I won’t forget it.”

  “Do you have a thing for tattoos?”

  “I do now.”

  She grins shyly up at me. “They have a special meaning.”

  “Tell me.”

  “This one,” she slides her finger across my thumb, “is a symbol of the element of water. I got it the night of my first show.”

  “Very fitting. What about this?” I snake my fingers up her side.

  She lifts her arm, raising her top enough to reveal the rest of the script. ‘Dance to your destiny.’

  “Remember that dance instructor I mentioned?”

  I nod, remembering every word she’s said since we’ve met.

  “She’d repeat this anytime I became overwhelmed or discouraged. The day I decided on my college program, this tattoo was a gift to myself.”

  “And the piercing, any significance?”

  “That’s the result from a wild night out, a lost bet, and a reckless dare among Dante, Ryanne, and me.”

  My fingers brush over the jewel. “Wild nights out and dares sound like a story I want to hear.”