Loving Me, Trusting You(17)

So I march down the hallway to the door, unlock it and find that she's thrown the chain.

“Mireya!” I yell into the crack. I can see the ends of the beds, but not much else. “Let me in.” I wait patiently for a moment, but don't get any response. I listen for the sound of the shower, but don't hear much of anything. “Mireya!” I slam my fist on the door and nearly sock a punch to Austin's jaw when he materializes behind me.

“You're goin' to wake the whole damn floor,” he says to me as I spin around and find him and Amy standing behind me. They're both smiling, both wrapped up in each other. I hope to high hell that the man has got his shit together and told the girl how he feels. Seems obvious enough, but sometimes it's just nice to hear that stuff said.

“I can't get into my own room,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest and examining the dress Amy's got on. It's a swishy, silky floral thing, not something you'd see any of the Triple M women wearing on a regular basis. I smile. “Think I've just been kicked to the curb for the night.”

“Oh, please, would you get over yourself?” Mireya growls out from behind me, shutting the door and unhooking the chain. When she flings it open, the three of us are treated to quite a show.

Mireya Sawyer's half friggin' naked.

“Oh my,” Amy says with a bit of a giggle. She clamps her hand over her mouth quick but not quick enough. Mireya narrows her slanted eyes at the girl and plants a hand on her outthrust hip. Long, bronze legs peek out at us from inside a silken robe and my body reacts instantly, muscles clenching tight, pants gettin' tighter. My dick responds to Mireya like its been commanded by those full breasts, that taught belly, those rounded hips. The only f*cking thing she's wearing is a pair of black and purple lacy panties and some sort of top that's got see through bits on the side and not a whole lot of fabric anywhere else.

I lean forward and put my hand against the door frame, trying to stay calm and push back the overwhelming wave of heat I feel between us. Or maybe it's just me. Maybe she doesn't feel anything at all?

I notice that Mireya's eyes take in Austin, watching to see if he's looking at her the same way he used to. I don't know what she sees, but all I can tell is that he feels sorry for her. God, I sure as shit hope she doesn't pick up on that.

“Mireya,” he says, clearing his throat and looking down at the floor. His sandy hair falls over his forehead and obscures his eyes. Good move. If Mireya gets even the smallest inkling that he's pitying her, she's going to flip the f*ck out and kick some ass. That is for f*cking sure. “Tomorrow, Amy's friend is going to be joining us.” He pauses again, like he isn't sure he wants to ask what he's about to ask.

“And?” she asks, ignoring me purposely and watching Amy take in her wild femininity with furtive glances. I doubt she's had much exposure to strong women like Mireya Sawyer. Poor Amy could use a good role model, and God, Mireya, whether she knows it or not, is the perfect example of overcoming hardship. She's got a spirit made of steel and a take-no-crap attitude that makes me want to stand by her side forever, fight whatever battles she sends me into. I'd defend this woman to the end of the earth.

I watch her, standing there unashamedly with her body on display, proud of who and what she is and know that she's not simply a woman in a man's world. Mireya is much more than that. She's a woman who takes the norm and flips it on its head, even though she doesn't realize that she's doing it.

I smile, and she glares at me.

“What're you smirking at, *?” she growls as I push past her, purposely rubbing my erection against her thigh as I squeeze by. She notices. I know she does.

“Well, the girl's going to need a sponsor,” he begins and already, Mireya's shaking her head.

“Nuh uh. Not happening, Sparks. Go f*ck yourself.” Mireya steps back and starts to slam the door when I put my hand out and stop it, the muscles in my biceps bunching above Sawyer's head. She looks up at me, and then turns so that she's glaring at me over her shoulder.

“I need a woman I can trust to take the girl in,” Austin pleads, moving forward and reaching out a hand. I give him a look before he can make contact with Mireya's arm. Touching her right now would probably be a bad idea. Can't imagine that she'd take it well. She rolls her eyes and looks back around, past Austin and straight at Amy. “I've already got a prospect, and Amy's still learning the ropes herself.” He tries to smile. “Please? I'd owe ya one.”

“Why should I bother with this chick?” She pauses and clenches her jaw tight. “I don't even have a f*cking bike.” Austin's brows pinch together and he opens his mouth to speak when I drop my hand to Mireya's shoulder and slide the other up the back of her robe. Goose bumps rise across her skin, but surprisingly, she doesn't stop me. Instead, I feel a flare of warmth from her, almost like she was waiting for this. Hot damn. Neither Austin nor Amy sees.

“Ain't any good spots in town to buy a bike here, but what if we stopped on the way to Fort Walton and hooked her up with something good. I mean, if she's going to have a prospect, the woman needs a bike, right?” Austin pauses and glances back at Amy who's no longer smiling. She nods her chin once and he sighs, running a hand through his blonde hair.

“It's not exactly in the budget,” he says. “But if you'll agree to take Christy on, then I suppose we could make it work. I need somebody to really make her feel welcome. It's not gonna be easy.”