by C. M. Owens
I rush back outside, and Kade sweeps me in his arms before offering me a sweet kiss I'd love to turn into more.
"Behave," he mumbles, even though his body protests.
"You don't mean that," I tease, making him laugh.
He opens my door for me, and he quickly takes his seat behind the wheel before driving us toward his family's house. Of course... it takes a little longer to get there than we originally expected.
When we arrive, the first familiar face I see is Tag, and he walks toward us while carrying three glasses of champagne.
"And you two are here just in time to see me leave."
"What?" I ask, glancing at my watch.
We're just two hours late. Totally Kade's fault.
"It's Raya's fault we're late," Kade says, earning a glare from me.
It's not my fault he couldn't wait until later tonight. He's the one that pulled over on the side of the road, and then pulled in behind the college, and then decided we had to go back to his house one last time after we had left Silk.
Kade smiles at me, and I lose my mock anger.
"Well, anyway, I have to head out. The girls are drunk. I don't mess with drunk chicks, so I need to go prowling for someone sober."
"You're prejudice against drunks?" I muse, finding that a little curious.
He laughs while shaking his head. "I'm prejudiced against taking advantage of a drunk girl. I've got morals, Raya. Don't act so surprised."
I actually am a little surprised, but judging by the hurt in his expression, I shouldn't admit that.
"Well, have fun stalking your prey," I murmur as he claps Kade on the back.
"Always do," he jokes, but I forget all about Tag when Kade's lips find mine, and then his incredible arms wrap around me.
Thomas made some improvement today. Everyone is celebrating. He's still breathing on his own, and he wasn't supposed to be.
"Let's skip the party," he murmurs against my lips. "I'd rather enjoy the night by simply holding you in our room."
Before I can say anything, Billy Prize walks out, seeming pissed on his way to his car.
"Leaving already?" Kade drawls, not really seeming to care. I really wish I knew why everyone seems to hate Billy. He's nice enough.
"Yeah. Ash has a problem I'm about to deal with once and for all," he growls.
He rips the door open on his BMW and drives away before Kade can say anything else.
"I don't think she's real," Kade says with a shrug, prompting me to chuckle.
I just lean into him as we make our way toward the back where everyone is laughing and joking around. A poker table is set up, and Paul waves us over.
"You two up for a game? Billy and Tag just left, so we have two open spots."
I start to object, when Kade says, "Deal us in."
I glare at him, but he shrugs. "It's not like they don't know what they're getting themselves into."
I roll my eyes as he leads me over to the table.
"Kade tells us you're good," Wren says before taking a sip of his beer.
Good? These people use the word good at all the wrong times.
"I'll go ahead and tell you that you won't win. Not even one hand. Are you sure you want to play me?"
Paul's laughter climbs free, Wren grins huge, and another guy I haven't met shrugs.
"Let's see what you've got," the unknown guy with sandy blonde hair says. "I've been playing poker a while. The name is Rye Clanton."
"Just don't say I didn't warn you," I mutter, grinning, just before placing the first bet of the night.
Kade's soft lips press against my neck as Rye deals, and I lean into him, relishing the feel of his breath on my skin. I hope I'm always this hooked.
Every story has two sides. See Kade's version in Kade's Game (The Sterling Shore Series #1.5), coming this fall. And learn Tag's story in Tagged & Ashed (The Sterling Shore Series #2), coming this June.
The cunning predator, the willing prey, and a weekend neither of them will be able to forget... ever. Ash Branderwood was told one thing before going to her best friend's brother's wedding - don't get Tagged.
There's always that one guy you shouldn't want, but you just can't help yourself. He's going to be horrible for your health, he'll probably break your heart, but he's going to be so much fun while he's doing it. Stay away. Ash Branderwood can't seem to heed such logic when she meets playboy millionaire Tag Masters.
Weddings always seem to create a false sense of intimacy, but Ash doesn't take that into consideration when she starts fantasizing about the man she can't possibly tame. She's a good girl... well, good enough. She's never really taken any chances or done something irrational or foolish. Tag is just the person to rectify that for her.
Tag has never done anything but take chances. He never had anything to lose - so he risked it all and built his name up in Sterling Shore. Meaningless sex is one of his many hobbies, and he's not looking to settle down any time soon. After all, these are the best years of his life.
But, one look at Ash, and he almost forgets his own name. And what in the hell is she doing at Wren's wedding with Bity?
Tag is almost furious when he sees Billy Prize brought a girl as stunning as Ash, considering Tag doesn't feel as though Billy deserves such a thing. He has to have her... at least once... possibly twice.
It was supposed to be a weekend of fun, one she'd remember just long enough to forget. But she quickly realizes there's one thing for sure... she's never going to be able to forget Tag Masters, only it isn't for reasons one might think.
All hell breaks loose when secrets emerge, but when Ash's life is endangered, Tag has to put aside his own issues to keep her safe.
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