With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men, #4)(94)

“My deal is that I don’t want some f*cking prick talking to her and thinking he can get into her panties because over my dead body is that happening. Ever. Got it?”

Asher grinned suddenly, as if he finally had Ten exactly where he wanted him. “Why not?” he taunted. “She’s cute. She’s fun. She’s sweet. I think it could be good between us.”

“And I think my fist would feel good slamming right into your throat, motherf*cker.”

A full laugh exploded from Asher. “Man, you are so obvious. If you want me to stay away from her, just tell me you like her, and I will.”

“I like her,” Ten nearly roared. “Stay the f*ck away from her.”

“Fine.” Asher shrugged as if it were no problem whatsoever to step aside and let Ten have a go. Then he poured Ten a third shot.

“Fuck,” Ten muttered. “I can’t believe you got me to admit that.”

“What can I say?” Asher looked pretty proud of himself. “I’m just that good.”

“Fucker,” Ten muttered, before glancing around. “Where’s Pick?”

“He’s in the back, talking to Hamilton.”

Ten straightened; his face paled. “Ham’s here? Shit.” His gaze veered toward the hallway and instantly found me, watching them. Then his shoulders heaved as he drew in a deep breath. “Hey.” His voice was cautious, respectful, regretful.

I didn’t answer, but I did step out of the shadows before stopping again, my arms folded over my chest. He grew uncomfortable under my direct stare. He cleared his throat, glanced away and tapped his empty shot glass against the countertop, motioning for Asher to pour him another.

Asher glanced between us and then poured. He watched Ten down that shot before Ten grabbed the bottle from his hand to pour himself another. As Ten tossed that back as well, Asher pointed back and forth between us. “So, if you two are breaking up, does that mean I have to pick sides? Because I’d rather just stay neutral if it’s all the same to you.”

“Fuck you,” Ten said, shaking the bottle to find it empty. “Get a different alcohol, will you?”

When Asher did, Ten swiped it out his hand, muttering, “Stop looking at me like that, f*cker.”

“Wow.” Asher let out a low whistle. “You know, I’m not sensing any appreciation. And here I’d just agreed to step aside so you could have Caroline, too.”

“You did not agree to step aside so I could have her, ass wipe. I’m never having her, either. You agreed to step aside, because you know your stupid rock-star ass is worse for her than my dumb man-whore ass. Jesus.” Ten sucked down the next shot and then shook his head and bowed his face as if the alcohol was starting to get to him.

Pick strolled out of the hallway and slowed to a stop when he spotted the newest arrival. Setting his forearm against my shoulder to lean against me, he studied Ten passively. “Well, if it isn’t Can’t-Keep-It-In-His-Pants Tenning.”

Ten slowly looked up and scowled at Pick. “Not a good time for that shit, man.”

Pick just smirked back. “Didn’t we warn you to never tell him about you and Cora?”

“Say what?” Asher asked as I tensed and glanced at Pick.

How did he know Ten and Cora had—

Pick slid his arm off my shoulder to pat it reassuringly.

Ten’s eyes narrowed as he glanced between us. “Fuck,” he said. “I should’ve known Ham would tell you.”

With a chuckle, Pick shook his head. “Actually, he didn’t. But I figured it out from the tension between you two and that black eye you’re sporting.”

“Wait. What loop am I being left out of?” Asher snagged Ten’s shot cup and cleaned it before Ten could demand more. “You’re not saying Quinn gave him the shiner, are you? And, Ten, you really didn’t f*ck Cora...did you?”

“Oh, yes he did,” Pick announced so openly that I flinched from hearing it said aloud and in such a mild, blasé tone.

“Holy shit.” Asher’s eyes bugged before he turned an accusing gaze on Ten. “Man, what the hell?”

“Relax,” Ten growled. “It was before they started dating...” Guilt crept over his face before he more quietly added, “...or so I thought.”

Asher lifted both eyebrows. “But I thought you hated Hamilton’s woman.”

“She’s not my woman,” I bit out, only for Pick to pat my shoulder again. Unwillingly, the twitchy muscles under his touch calmed.

Asher didn’t seem to know how to respond to my outburst. He slid his surprised gaze from me to Ten.

“Why do you think I hate her?” Ten admitted, glancing apologetically my way. “The bitch lied to me and said you two had only been a one-time deal.”

I studied him for a moment before something suddenly became clear to me. “Is that why you never let her stay overnight at our place?” Ten looked away, the apology on his face morphing back into guilt. I snorted. “You were afraid she’d crawl out of my bed and right into yours.”

Wow, that was a sobering thought. All this time, my own roommate had known she couldn’t be trusted to keep her legs together around other men, and I’d been a clueless idiot. “Well, thanks for letting me know what she was really like. Appreciate it.”