Burn (Breathless #3)(82)

He grinned again as he led Josie toward the ramp leading down to the dance floor. Brandon appeared with another bouncer, flanking Ash and providing a protective barrier so they weren’t jostled by the other club goers.

When they got outside, he directed Josie toward the waiting car and helped her inside. When he slid into the backseat, Josie was already indelicately sprawled all over the seat, her legs extending sideways. One of her shoes dangled precariously from her foot, and he slid it back on, cupping her ankle as he did.

She opened her eyes and bestowed a goofy, sweet smile on him.

“Hi,” she said huskily.

He laughed and leaned over to kiss her nose. She was so damn cute. And all his.

“Hi yourself. Have fun?”

“Oh yeah,” she breathed out. “You were right. Mia and Bethany are the bomb. So are the rest of their friends.” She frowned a minute and Ash looked curiously at her, seeking the source of that frown. “Caro is moving away though. That makes Mia sad. Caro and Brandon are getting married and moving to Vegas. But it’s okay. She’ll still have Bethany. And me,” she said, pointing to her chest.

Ash chuckled. “Yeah, baby. She’ll have you.”

“And Brittany!” Josie said, brightening. “She had fun, Ash. She was sad because she didn’t have a guy to enjoy f**king her drunk, but then she hooked up with Kai.”

Ash frowned. “Not sure I like the idea of her picking up some stranger in a club.”

“I think he’s okay,” Josie said slowly. “He seems really intense. But in a good way, you know? Like you.”

Ash shook his head. “If he’s like me, then I know I don’t want my baby sister having a one-night stand with him.”

Josie frowned again. “I don’t think it’ll be a one-night stand, Ash. He looked so . . . serious. Like he wanted to eat her up. He made me all shivery.”

Ash scowled at that. “He made you shivery? What the f**k?”

She giggled. “S’okay. You know I only want you. But he’s hot. And he thinks Brittany is hot. I’m happy for her.”

Ash sighed. “I’ll be the judge of whether we’re happy for her or not. I’ll have to do some checking on this guy. See if he’s on the level.”

But then what could Ash say about being on the level? It made him a flaming hypocrite. He’d done some not-so-great things. He didn’t regret them, but they were there. He just wasn’t sure whether he wanted his sister involved with a man steeped in gray. He knew his intentions were good. But Kai Wellington?

But enough of Brittany and Kai. He’d get a call later as Kai had promised or Ash would send someone out to check on Brittany. And then tomorrow he’d do some looking into Kai Wellington’s background and see if he had any skeletons that would make him unsuitable for Brittany.

Right now he had a really drunk, really cute, sexy-as-hell woman he was dying to get home and out of that dress.

“Have to say, baby. That dress and those shoes are you.”

She sent him another dazzling smile, teeth flashing, a dimple forming in her cheek. “You like?”

“Oh hell yeah I like,” he growled. “I’ll like them a lot better when I get you home and out of them.”

Her nose bunched up and she frowned. “But not the shoes, Ash. Mia and Bethany said they always get f**ked with the shoes on. We can’t mess the system up. It’s the girls’ night out creed.”

He laughed. “Oh yeah, baby. The shoes definitely stay on.”

When they pulled up to his apartment building, he got out and then reached in to help Josie out. After he was sure she had her legs underneath her and wouldn’t take a header, he guided her toward the door, his arm securely around her.

On the elevator ride up, she put a hasty hand to her stomach and turned green as the elevator rose.

He pulled her into his arms. “Deep breaths, baby. Can’t have you getting sick on me now.”

“I’m fine,” she said faintly. “The elevator just made me a little queasy.”

The doors opened into his apartment and he helped her out, immediately heading toward the bedroom. His cell phone rang, and he glanced down to see an unfamiliar number. Knowing it could be Wellington calling about Brittany, he kept hold of Josie with one hand and answered with the other.

“Ash McIntyre,” he said

“This is Kai Wellington. Brittany is home and safe. You don’t have to worry, Mr. McIntyre. Your sister is in good hands.”

“Thanks,” Ash murmured. “Appreciate the call.”

They rang off and Ash made a mental note to make sure all was well with his sister the next day. Then he turned his attention to Josie, easing her onto the edge of the bed.

“Okay, darling, we’re home and you’re in charge of the girls’ night out seduction. What do you want your man to do?”

Her eyes glowed, almost neon in the faint light of the bedside lamp. Her lips parted and he almost let out a groan. God, but the woman was going to drive him insane.

“First you have to tear off my dress. Then you have to f**k me long and hard.”

She looked so hopeful that he chuckled. “Anything you want, baby. Don’t ever let it be said I disappointed my girl.”

She smiled, letting out a blissful sigh. “I like that.”