Price of a Kiss (Forbidden Men, #1)(33)

His dark brown eyes were direct and told me they appreciated what they saw. I wasn’t sure what to think of that. I mean, he wasn’t ugly. He wasn’t gigolo status hot, but he wasn’t repulsive by any means. I had simply been totally honest with E. when I’d told her I wasn’t looking for any kind of relationship.

If my history with Jeremy had taught me anything, it was to be very cautious of anyone putting out the kind of signals Ty currently was. He was looking to get laid tonight, which made me nervous. Actually, every guy lately, except Mason, made me nervous. Okay, I definitely had a fit of nerves around Mason too, but a totally different kind. With Ty, I kept wondering how mad he got if a girl didn’t kiss him the right way. How soon after he became serious did he nix girls’ night out? How many weapons did he own?

Maybe thoughts like that never crossed my mind when I was around Mason because there was an element of security between us. He was forbidden. Ergo, I was safe from experiencing any relationship horrors with him. We could both be ourselves without reservation.

“Are you always so quiet?” Ty asked, looking amused by how intensely I was staring at him.

I blushed and waved my hand. “You caught me. I just stand here and look pretty.”

He laughed and his eyes glittered hungrily. “Yes, you do.”

Yikes. I cleared my throat and winced, wishing he hadn’t thought I’d been fishing for a compliment. Needing a change of subject, I was opening my mouth to ask if he attended Waterford too when Eva appeared in front of us. Thank God.

“Ty! You made it.” She hugged him and then bumped her cheeks against his in a pretend kiss.

As she pulled back, Ty inspected her from head to foot, still holding both her hands in his. “Eva. You’re as lovely as ever. New nose ring, I see. It looks sexy.”

“Why, thank you.” Gracefully severing her contact with him, Eva continued to smile her hostess smile as she linked her arm through mine. “ReeRee and I got both of ours done just today. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to borrow this lady right here.”

He nodded, his eyes simmering with barely repressed heat as he glanced at me. “Only if you bring her back when you’re done with her.”

Eva laughed and turned us away from him to march me through a crowd of people toward the kitchen. I was about to thank her for saving me when she muttered, “Not on your life, pal.”

“E!” I hissed, glancing back to make sure he hadn’t overheard. “What was that about?”

“Oh, Reese, honey. You must have a serious bad boy fetish. I swear, you are the queen of impossible relationships.”

“Am not,” I muttered peevishly and jerked my elbow free. She always found a way to make me feel na?ve in the relationship department.

“Just…stay away from Ty, okay? Trust me on this one.”

I hadn’t been planning on staying near him, but I grew alert at Eva’s serious tone and pulled her to a halt in the middle of the empty hallway. “Why? Did he take a knife to his last girlfriend?”

She rolled her eyes. “No.”

“Is he a gigolo?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“No, but—”

“Then he already has two brownie points in his favor.”

Why I was defending him, I had no idea. I think I just wanted to argue with Eva because she was pissing me off. Did she think I had no head on my shoulders at all when it came to guys, just because I’d been so awfully wrong about Jeremy?

Hell, did everyone who knew me think I was a complete ninny now?

I spun toward the kitchen to refill my cup and get rip-roaring drunk over this new insight, but Eva pulled me around to face her. “I dated him for three months last year,” she explained on a sigh.

Oh.

I wrinkled my nose. “Eww.” Dating one of Eva’s exes had to be just as bad as dating one of my sister’s ex-boyfriends. “Why didn’t he mention that? I even told him we were related.”

“Welcome to Ty Lasher,” Eva said. “He doesn’t have a moral bone in his body. The bastard cheated on me, twice, in the three months we were together.”

“Yeesh. Thanks for the warning.” I would not be returning to a conversation with that douche. “So, wait. If you two have such a bad past, why is he at one of your parties?” And why had she been so cordial about greeting him?

“Because anyone who’s anyone comes to my parties. They are the bomb, baby.”

“Unfortunately, she’s right,” a voice said, tingling my spine, as someone stepped into the hallway behind me. “Mercer does know how to throw a hell of a party.”

“Mason,” Eva hissed, her eyes narrowing. “What a surprise. I rarely see you at these. And I don’t recall inviting you to this one, either.”

I thought that was a strange observation. Eva probably hadn’t invited most the people here.

“No,” Mason agreed. When I dared to turn around, I saw his sneer was just as hard as my cousin’s. “But your boyfriend did.”

Eva’s lips tightened. “And I will be having a few words with Alec about that. Trust me.”

“Okay, hold on.” I adjusted my stance so I could see both Eva and Mason. I lifted my hands and shook them. “I don’t get this. Mason didn’t take advantage of you when you were drunk, and you don’t want him here. Yet that Ty guy cheated on you twice and you just hugged him in welcome. That makes no sense.”