Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)(72)

Kai slapped a hand over my mouth and I struggled against him.

And then it was Kopano’s temperate voice that spoke, seeming to clear Kaidan’s head for the second it would take to pry him away from me and bring him back to his senses.

“Open up,” was all that Kopano had to say.

Kaidan stood abruptly, shuddering as he took another look at me lying there, still wanting him. Then he went and leaned his forehead against the entertainment center for a long moment before going to the door. I couldn’t move.

I heard the four guests pushing their way in and I felt furious at them for butting in. They looked upset with Kaidan—all of them were signing too fast for me, but I recognized caution and stupid.

Whatever.

I grabbed the beer from the coffee table and drank it all. Everyone was coming down into the living area. Their voices were excited, but when I turned to look, their faces were serious.

Kaidan looked at the empty bottle in my hand and clenched his jaw.

“Someone put on some music!” Marna said, stepping down into the lower suite where I sat.

“Ezzactly!” I slurred. “I been trying to say that.”

Marna pressed her lips together like she was trying not to laugh, but I didn’t know what was funny.

Someone opened the curtains, giving us a superb view of the city. Loud music came on, and the sisters stood in front of the wall made entirely of glass, dancing for all of Vegas to see. They were very good at keeping up appearances, considering that from the right angle outside the hotel, any Duke would be able to see us clearly with his extended sight.

“Come here.” Marna’s voice was seductive as she crooked her finger at me, and I went.

I didn’t have to do too much, since Marna danced around me, rubbing against me, slinking all the way to the floor and back up effortlessly with her hands against the sides of my body. I put my hands under my hair and lifted it up, moving my hips to the beat. When I looked up at Kaidan standing at the railing with the other guys watching, I saw the fire still in his eyes.

Ginger went to the banister, grabbed Blake’s hand, and pulled him down. She danced with him and it was, by far, the most sensual thing I’d ever seen. He kept looking like he wanted to kiss her, but she’d get within an inch of his mouth and cruelly turn, flipping her hair in his face. Marna came up behind Blake, and the twins danced with him in the middle. Their moves were so seamless that I swear they must have choreographed the dance. If these two sisters set their sights on a guy in a relationship, he didn’t stand much of a chance.

Kaidan hit a button on the wall, and electronically controlled curtains began to move inward. The second they were closed, the dancing stopped, and the twins walked away, leaving Blake standing there with his arms held out at his sides, like “what’s up with that?”

I laughed so hard I almost fell over. He came forward and stuck out his knuckles to me. I fumbled the first attempt, but was eventually able to bump his fist with mine.

“Anyone want a drink?” I asked loudly over the music.

“What have you got?” Blake asked.

We opened the fridge and found that we were sadly running low on the adorable bottles of liquor. But there was plenty of beer and wine.

“Here, Blake,” I said, “I know you want to party.” I tried to toss him a bottle of the beer, but it fell short and broke, fizzing all over onto the floor. Like everything else, it was riotous in my eyes and worthy of laughter. Blake shook his head and tsked from the side of his mouth.

“I’ll get my own this time.” He reached over me and grabbed one out, twisting the top and flicking the cap at Kaidan, who kicked it aside. Kopano picked up the broken beer bottle and threw it away, then tossed a towel onto the spot.

I looked around for Zania, but she wasn’t with them. I wanted to ask where she was, but something inexplicable kept me from speaking.

Ginger took a miniature bottle of wine. She, Blake, and I lifted up our drinks to give a cheer, and before my mouth was full with the first gulp, the bottle was snatched from my hand. I swallowed and gasped.

“Hey,” I shouted, “Give that—” Kaidan’s hand covered my mouth and he gave me a hard look. I wanted to throw a tantrum. Why was he being so mean? We were just trying to relax before . . . before what?

Ginger snorted, way too amused by the tiff between Kaidan and me. Was she laughing at me? Rage for all the nasty things she’d ever said made me lunge forward, but strong arms yanked me from behind. Kaidan still held me tight around the waist, and I kicked out, wanting to fight her. My only satisfaction was the pure surprise on her face and the fact that she wasn’t laughing anymore.

“Calm. Down,” Kai growled into my ear. I settled down, but was still breathing hard.

Everyone stood there looking at us. Blake took Ginger’s arm and pulled her farther away from me. Kaidan kicked the fridge shut and did that throat-slashing motion to the others, pointing at me. He went up the steps to the bedroom level that overlooked the suite. He seemed distressed. Was he mad at me? We shouldn’t be fighting about . . . what were we fighting about? Why was I so angry?

The music blared, scrambling my thoughts even worse. For a moment I felt lost and confused, and all I wanted was Kaidan. I went up the steps and stopped in front of him, leaning against the railing. He looked down at me, unsmiling. I rubbed my hands across his chest and down his arms. He froze and closed his eyes. Someone took my arm.