Take the Fall (Take the Fall, #1)(31)

Piper’s gaze bounces from me to my brother, who’s practically being humped by Giselle, and then back to me again. “Sure, they are.”

“My brother specifically asked for you to come. My invitation wasn’t just so you could live a while on the badass wild side.”

Jase steps away from Giselle and looks our way. His eyes widen as he realizes who’s with me. A wicked-looking smile appears on his mouth.

Hope blooms on Piper’s face. “Really?” She blows out a breath. “Forget I said that. Jase doesn’t even know I’m here. Not that it matters. I’m just glad he’s home safe.”

Jase’s gaze lingers on Piper, and I have to bite my lip to keep from shouting, Ah-ha! See, he wants you. He really, really wants you!

Instead, I keep my cool and lightly say, “He threatened to never speak to me again if I didn’t convince you to come. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t above bribery. Maybe even kidnapping.”

Piper’s green eyes widen. “Are you serious? I didn’t—oh, the care packages. He’s just being nice.”

Judging by the way my brother can’t keep his eyes off Piper, he’s not just being nice. God, if only Jase would actually go after Piper. She would stick by him, not play him while his back is turned like Giselle.

“I don’t think so,” I counter with a grin. “He’s heading this way.”

Piper flushes from head to toe as Jase joins us.

“Having fun?” he asks.

She stares at him, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. “I, um…” She shoots me a pleading look, and I take pity on her.

I throw my arm around her shoulders as an evil plan hatches. If I can’t get Seth out of my head, then maybe I can get Giselle out of Jase’s. It’s what little sisters are for, right? “Piper is having a fabulous time with me, but maybe you could help her with the guy situation.”

His eyebrows raise, concern etching his face. He focuses on Piper. “Who’s bothering you, baby doll?”

“No—”

I jab my elbow into her side, and she coughs. “No one she wants. Quite a few of them can’t keep their paws to themselves,” I lie. Okay, so it might not be a total lie. I did see Charlie Davis attempt to palm Piper’s ass when she bent over the cooler to get a drink. “Mostly Charlie, though.”

Jase’s eyes narrow in on Charlie, his blue gaze becoming icy. “I’ll have a talk with him.” He turns his attention to Piper. “Anyone else gives you shit, come straight to me and I’ll take care of it.”

“Absolutely not,” Piper says firmly, shocking me and, from the look on Jase’s face, him, too. “I won’t have you getting in trouble on account of me. I’m the daughter of a cop and can handle myself.”

Charlie Davis chooses that exact moment to wink at Piper, and she shudders. Thank God for divine intervention.

“You might be all grown up now, kitten. But you haven’t learned how to use those claws yet.” Jase grabs her hand and slowly turns it so that the palm is facing up. “I’d be happy to teach you, though, if you want some private lessons.”

Giddy at this turn of events, I let go of Piper and begin to edge away, wanting to give them some privacy.

Her eyes fly to mine, and she almost staggers to one side as she yanks her hand away. “That won’t be necessary.” She looks at me, her cheeks all flushed. “I’m hot. Are you hot? I’ll go get another drink.” Without another word, she rushes off.

Punching Jase in the shoulder, I say, “What was that about?” I lower my voice to mimic him. “I’d be happy to teach you how to use your claws, kitten.” I make a face. “Is that really how you work your mojo?”

“Shut up, Ro.” He stalks off in Giselle’s direction, instead of Piper’s. Damn it.

“Always meddling in other people’s business,” Seth says, sidling up to me.

“How would you know what I’m always doing? You haven’t lived here in seven years,” I snap. God, the perfect way to end my night, with Seth seeing right through me.

“You want to get Piper and Jase together, so he won’t keep messing with Giselle. How’s that for knowing you?”

Pretty damn good, but there’s no way I’m admitting it. “Impressive,” I say dryly. “Did they teach you that in Marines—how to skulk around in the shadows and eavesdrop?” I take a drink of my beer and then cross my arms.

“I must not be skulking in the shadows very well if you noticed me.”

I blush. “You’re a mouth breather.”

Seth snorts. “Tell me another one.”

“Halitosis gives you away?”

He steps closer to me and dips his head. My entire body sways forward to meet him. I inhale his hot, male scent. He smells so good that I could eat him. I could nibble on him all day and come back for more, starting at his luscious bottom lip.

Yeah, yeah, I lied about the halitosis, but a girl needs self-preservation tactics when she’s around her ex.

One of his arms slips around me, hauling me close, and I can’t help but love the feel of him. “I get that you want to protect the one you love the most,” Seth begins. “But Piper’s in for a world of hurt if Jase were to decide he wanted her instead of Giselle. Can you imagine how Giselle would retaliate? Piper’s not like us. She’s a good girl, from the good side of town, and her dad is the f*cking chief of police.”