The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(63)

Rachel squinted one eye in confusion before his meaning hit her. When it did, she blurted, “Oh my God, she blew you?”

“Rach!” came a harsh whisper. Shaun never liked when she spoke her mind, as proved when his upper lip curled in disgust. “Not like you’d ever do it, and when you did, you weren’t exactly good at it.”

The insult glanced off her. Eyebrow cocked, she considered her recent experience with Tag. Wouldn’t he beg to differ?

Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be for me to last longer than twenty seconds?

She wasn’t going to share her intimate moments with Shaun. It was enough to know the truth in her gut.

“Good thing I was tested after we split.” She lifted her wineglass, a wry smile pulling her lips. “Who knows what kind of weird STDs you picked up. An almost-year-long hiatus was proof enough I was okay.” Come to think of it, that was a really long time for Shaun to be sexless. “Oh man! You were seeing her the entire time.”

Ugh. Gross, gross, gross. She was going to have to take a hundred more showers.

“You really are a dick.” She shook her head, feeling sorry for her former self.

“Fine, you got me. I was wrong.” His jaw moved like he was grinding his teeth before he grumbled. Leave it to him to apologize and make her try and feel bad about it. “You know what they say about hindsight.”

“That it’s the only sight you have when your head’s up your ass?” she asked sweetly.

Bree giggled, overhearing; then her laugh faded. “Oh, look who’s here.”

Rachel pushed her hair behind her ear as the front door opened. Tag swaggered in, hair down, long overcoat covering his clothes. The moment he scanned the room and found her, warmth poured through her from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes.

Eyes locked on hers, he moved through the crowd on his way to the bar, maneuvering toward her like she was the only woman in the room—no, the city. He had a way of doing that, of making her feel important and special. Until she was sitting directly next to her ex did she realize she had been unaccustomed to that kind of treatment.

“Save a seat for me, Dimples?” Tag asked when he reached her. He slipped a proprietary hand onto the back of her neck and chills wandered down her spine when his fingertips began massaging. He slanted a glance at her ex, roughly the size of a field mouse next to Tag. “Who’s this?”

“This is Shaun Sanders. Shaun, this is my um…Tag. Crane,” she tacked on after a short pause.

“Tag Crane,” Shaun repeated, recognition on his face.

Yeah, buddy, Tag Crane. Damn. She was proud of knowing someone of such high caliber—of course, Shaun would be impressed with Tag’s money, but Rachel knew who Tag was underneath it. A good man with a big heart and a penchant for doing her right.

Tag turned his attention to her, moving her hair from her neck and over her shoulder seductively. It was a subtle touch, but it still sent tingles through her limbs. He didn’t sit, sort of hovering over her and Shaun at the same time. He dropped his voice, but Shaun had to have heard, given he was sitting at the corner seat directly adjacent to her.

“Is Shaun Sanders bothering you?” Tag rumbled, his voice accidentally sensual.

“We’re old friends and co-workers,” Shaun interjected.

Tag straightened to his full height and studied Shaun until he wiggled in his seat and shot another look at the front door. Still looking for his date, or his escape? Rachel plunked her chin on her fist and enjoyed watching him squirm.

“Shaun.” Tag pointed at him but addressed Rachel. “The douchebag ex-boyfriend who stole your marketing promotion.”

“Listen, man, I didn’t come in here to fight.”

“Then why’d you sit next to her?”

With jerky movements, Shaun slid off the barstool and pulled his wallet out of his pocket. He threw a few bills onto the bar top. “I don’t have to take this.”

“It’s fine, Tag,” Rachel said, resting her hand on his chest. “He helped with a few unanswered questions I had.”

“Get the answers you needed?” Tag asked.

She tipped her chin to look up at him. He was insanely gorgeous. Between him and wine, she was feeling warm and happy. And in the midst of Shaun Sanders. Who’d have thought?

“I did.”

“Good.” Tag reserved a small smile for her, and she puckered. He lowered to give her a kiss and that, too, felt like a win.

“You can’t leave yet, Shaun Sanders.” Tag sounded like he looked—hard, but calm.

What happened next happened fast. He grabbed Shaun by the front of his coat, twisting the collar. A few low gasps came from the bar patrons surrounding them. “You’re going to apologize before you go.” He tugged Shaun closer.

“This isn’t your business,” Shaun managed, swiping at his shirt.

“Sorry, but it is. You come in here, sit next to a girl who isn’t yours, and expect no retribution.” Tag tsked. “My business, bro.”

Rachel felt a blush steal across her cheeks and glanced over at Bree to find her friend wearing a matching satisfied smile. Tag released him and Shaun nearly fell back. He straightened his coat and squared his shoulders.

“I’m waiting,” Tag prompted, arms folded. “Make it good. One strike, you’re out.”