Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(33)

“She’s got things to do,” I said, my tone coming out harsher than I expected.

“I’d love to come. Thank you for the gracious offer, Sabine. What is your boyfriend’s name?”

“Z.”

Dylan’s lips turned up in the corners, and she beamed at my sister. “Very unique.”

I rolled my eyes. “Unique? It’s stupid. He changed his own name to a letter that isn’t even in his name. What the fuck does that even mean?”

“Not everything has to mean something. He is taking the importance of a name out of the equation,” Sabine said defensively.

“Yes. Like Wolf, for example. The name already puts people on the defensive. It’s certainly not a friendly name. And then the personality that follows…” Dylan said, before shuttering dramatically as my sister fell over in a fit of laughter.

“Good. Then I’m doing my job.”

“I’m so excited that you’re coming. Seb will be there, too, and my brothers love to give my boyfriends a hard time. So, it would be amazing to have someone on my side.”

“Hey, I’m your girl. I love disagreeing with your brother. It’s one of my favorite things to do.” She finished off her wine and pushed to her feet. “I really didn’t mean to interrupt your evening. I was just mad that he sent Gallan over to pick me up when I already told him that I had it handled. It’s so pretentious, right?”

“I can hear you. I’m sitting right here, ole wise one.” I pushed to my feet and made my way to the door, yanking it open so she could make her way to the other side of it.

She chuckled. “Oh, yes. That’s right. I can feel your grumpy energy sucking the life from me.”

“I’ll see you on Sunday. I’ll get your number from Wolf and text you the details!” Sabine shouted.

“I’ll be there.” Dylan waved as she paused in the doorway and turned around to face me, moving close as she spewed her anger at me. “Don’t go behind my back again when I tell you that I have it covered. Next time, I won’t be so pleasant.”

“I’m terrified,” I said with zero emotion as I pushed the door closed.

When I turned around, my sister was rubbing her hands together and smiling. “I love her.”

“Of course, you do. She’s the most annoying woman I’ve ever met. Why wouldn’t you adore her?” I raised a brow.

“I love how she sticks it to you. I’m used to everyone cowering in your presence. This is fucking fabulous.”

“Hey, I thought you loved me?”

“I do, Navy man. But I just don’t mind seeing you a little frazzled. A little more human like the rest of us.” She pushed to her feet and patted me on the cheek. “I’m going to go. Jones is downstairs.” He was our family driver as my sister was living back home with our parents since graduating.

“I’m hardly frazzled. I’ve dealt with a lot worse than the little minx. Terrorists. Taliban. Need I say more?”

She set her glass down on the kitchen counter. “This is good for you. I think you’ve met your match, Wolfy.” She pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek.

“In her dreams. And thanks for inviting the enemy to Sunday dinner.”

“You’ll feel like you’re back in battle.” She waved as she made her way down to the elevators.

When I closed the door, my phone vibrated on the counter. There was a text from Dylan.

Minx ~ I love your sister, and your brother is so great, too. Why are you the only one with a personality disorder?

I made my way to the master bathroom and turned on the shower before responding.

Me ~ Buckle up, Minx. I’m just getting started.

Minx ~ So am I.

It should have annoyed me, but it only turned me on. Which meant another shower, fantasizing about my combative employee who also happened to be my hot-as-fuck neighbor.

And this time when I thought about going down on my knees for her, it wasn’t to look for a weapon.

Unless the one between her legs counted.





thirteen





Dylan





The rest of the week went by in a blur. I’d just arrived at the stadium with Everly to attend a home game. We had seats in the owner’s box, so even though Wolf and I had kept our distance from one another most of the week—aside from a few snide comments in passing and some slightly flirtatious yet passive-aggressive texts in the evenings—I’d be seeing a whole lot of him this weekend. I assumed he’d be at the game tonight, and Sabine had sent me a reminder that her mother was looking forward to meeting me at Sunday dinner.

She was fabulous, as was Sebastian Wayburn.

The eldest brother definitely had the most flawed personality.

Seb and I had lunch together twice this week, and he was a ray of sunshine next to the dark, broody cloud that lived next door to me.

“Dilly, Everly, so glad you’re here,” Sebastian said as we entered the owner’s box.

There were rows of chairs in the enormous suite overlooking the ice, and a buffet-style spread with a full bar when we walked in.

Bar food was my jam, and I was thrilled to see sliders, tater tots, and chicken fingers.

“Thanks for the invite.” I waggled my brows as I quickly scanned the area for my nemesis.