Page 9 of Army
“The guys wanted to cut out early.” He scanned the table.
With her senses returning to her, she waved her hand around. “These are my friends … Peyton, Danielle, and Ronica.” She pointed at him. “And this is Taylor. He’s got a real good chance of going pro, and he’s a super nice guy.”
He laughed. “I need to hire you for all my PR.”
“What’s going on here, buddy?” The smooth-as-whiskey voice slid over her.
She kept her head down, counting the packets of sugar in the dispenser.
“Is that you, Stiletto?” The warmth of his breath made the back of her neck tingle.
She cocked her head back and almost hit his chin—he wasthatclose. “Hey.” She put on the best fake smile she could muster. His gaze shifted downward then his eyes gleamed and she realized that the fucker had a great view down the top of her dress.
“Seriously?” she gritted, folding her arms against her chest. His mouth curved into a smug smile as he snagged her gaze.
“Who’s your friend?” Peyton asked as she leaned forward.
“He’s not my friend.”
Army glanced at the women. “I’m Army,” he pointed behind him, “Taylor’s brother.”
“I thought you were a fighter.” Peyton’s gaze blatantly ran over his body. “You certainly look like one.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” he said smoothly.
He’s so fucking charming. What a damn act. I can’t believe Peyton’s feeding into his already inflated ego.
Then his fingers grazed lightly on the back of her neck and her body shivered.Fucking traitor.
“I’m glad you’re feeling what I am,” he whispered into her ear.
“Don’t you have to get back to Dessie?” The minute the words tumbled out of her mouth, she regretted them.
Squeezing her gently, he chuckled. “Good to know it bothers you.” Straightening up, he nodded at her friends. “Another time?” He strode away with Taylor following behind him.
“What the fuck just happened?” Peyton looked over her shoulder, only turning back around when Army sat down. “You need to hook me up with him. Now.” Her expression was on the edge of desperate as she stared at Mia.
Mia shook her head. “I don’t know him. I just sorta met him at the fights. Anyway, he’s a total asshole. Can’t you see that? He’d eat you alive.”
“That’sthe guy who’s got you all twisted.” Ronica craned her neck and looked at Army’s table. “He’s perfect for you. You need a strong man. Jorge was a weakling.”
“Jorge was a gentleman. He was sweet, understanding, compliant, and—”
“Boring. Isn’t that what you told me all the time?” Ronica smiled.
At that moment, Mia regretted telling Ronica so much about her last relationship. The truth was that Jorge was the type of man parents wanted for their daughters, and she should’ve been thrilled to have finally found a decent man, but … she wasn’t.Hewasboring. He agreed with me on everything. I made all the decisions on where we’d go for dates, what we’d do, and how often we’d see each other, and he was too damn tame in the bedroom.Mia’s sexual appetite preferred rough sex that teetered on the edge of darkness.
“Your silence tells me I’m right.” Ronica picked up her white Russian and took a sip.
“You’re not right. He sent me flowers and romantic texts. He was a good guy. Any woman would be lucky to have him in her life.”
“If he’s so great, then why aren’t you two together?” Danielle asked.
Ronica and Peyton sniggered and a current of anger sizzled up Mia’s spine. “Because Jorge wanted to get married, and I wasn’t ready. If I was, I’d be Mrs. Salvador right now.”
“Yeah … right.” Ronica shook her head. “You keep telling me you can’t find the right guy, and that’s because you keep going out with guys youthinkyou should like instead of guys that youknowyou’d like. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a circle. It doesn’t work, girl.”
“And you’re saying thathe’s”—Mia waved her hand in Army’s direction—“the one for me?” She laughed dryly. “I’m notthatdesperate. If I ever am, then shoot me.”
