Page 3 of Preacher's Property

I’m wondering who she thinks she’s talking to. Is she really speaking to a Savage Knight like that? She was the one who emphasized how dangerous they are. Now, she’s talking back to the guy like he isn’t twice her size.

“I know exactly who I’m talking to,Meghan Ellicort. But I gather you don’t remember me. I’m not surprised. You and your little priss friends never paid any attention to us ‘gutter rats.’”

Oh my God. They must know each other.Itsounds like they went to school together.

The back-and-forth exchange has my jaw inching closer to the ground with every word. They don’t just know each other, but he asked her out back in high school. Of which, Meg unsurprisingly said no. The guy never would’ve made her father’s cut. He’s from the wrong side of the tracks—wrong side of the law now—and Mr. Ellicort would sooner have him arrested than he would let his baby girl date him.

It’s not just her father who wouldn’t approve. This guy’s not Meg’s type. He’s too “dirty” as she would say. But I think the grease on his hands only makes him sexier. It shows that he actually uses his hands for something other than swinging a putter on the golf course.

“Are you ready to go, Payton?” Meg cuts a glare to her sister. Her cheeks are crimson now. She doesn’t like being called out on her snobbery, but it’s about time someone pointed out the truth. Everyone in Meg’s world is always blowing smoke up herass, telling her how perfect she is. I’ve never treated her with silk gloves. I’ve always wanted her to break free from her father’s chains and shine in her own light, but my honesty has made me one of her least favorite people.

This guy though… may have just beaten me on her list.

“You all can head out if you want to,” Cage answers for Payton. “But she’s staying with me.” He locks his arm tighter around her waist, and I can see that my best friend wants to stay.

“I don’t want to go,” I tell her, making sure she has my support. “We just got here. And Cage offered us a drink.” I turn toward the others.

“Dakota! Tell them you want to leave,” Meg insists, growing redder by the second.

The quiet Ellicort sister shakes her head no, and there you have it, we’re staying. I’d only drive them back to town if Kota was uncomfortable with being here, but she wants to stay too.

“There you have it.” I wrap my arm around Meg’s shoulders. “Three against one. Now, come on. Let’s go get you that drink and loosen that stick you have up your ass.”

She gives me another huff, but at least she’s finally done arguing. Reluctantly, she walks with me. Her body rigid. Eyes glancing behind us to see if the guy she went to high school with is still following us. He is. And he’s still watching her with that angry glare.

As soon as we enter the clubhouse, Payton gets whisked away by Cage, leaving us alone with “Dozer”— much to Meg’s chagrin. She makes a comment about his club name being stupid, and then the two of them are back to duking it out as they travel down memory lane. I ignore their little lovers spat and scan the room, looking for the one who had me drooling the moment we walked through the door moments ago. Unfortunately, I don’t see him. He’s no longer by the pool table. He’s…

“Damn, where’d you come from?”

He’s suddenly right in front of me, like he was plucked straight from my thoughts.

That gruff midwestern twang rolls down my spine, and I’m caught in the warmth of it, struggling to formulate an answer as I stare up at him. He has amber eyes. Not quite gold. Not quite brown. Little flecks of orange dancing around the edges. Flecks of black expanding as he stares.

“From out there,” I breathe. My thoughts aren’t connecting to my mouth, but it earned me a smile. A crooked quirk of his smooth lips. His nose has a slight crook to it too like he may have broken it at some point. The imperfection only adds to his sexiness. So do those tattoos. The dragon etched on his neck moves with every word he speaks. Like it’s flapping its wings.

“Don’t think I’ve ever seen a girl as pretty as you walk through that door.”

I don’t think I’ve seen a man as pretty as him in my entire life.

“You are too,” I say, my brain short-circuiting again. His chuckle helps clear my head. I just told this giant of a man he was pretty too.

“I’m calling dibs.” He brushes my hair behind my ear. That slight touch rocks me with a heavy shiver. “My brothers are going to have to get in line.”

“In line for what?” I stare into those amber eyes. They’re even darker now.

“For a taste of this new sweetbutt?”

For a taste of my ass?I shift back. “That’s a little forward, don’t you think? We haven’t even had a drink yet.” I don’t even know his name.

“Forward? Thought you were here for some fun.”

I may be here for some fun, but I didn’t expect to be cornered for sex the moment I walked through the door. Whatever happened to talking and getting to know one another first?

“Figured I’d have a drink first. Maybe mingle a bit, get acquainted with everyone before I’m even considering jumping into a man’s bed.”

I’ve never been with anyone but Dusty, so I’m going to need to get warmed up first to get over these nerves.

“A sweetbutt who plays hard to get.” He nods. “I like it. What can I get you to drink, doll?”