Page 72 of Enticing Her Love

“No, that was me,” she said lightheartedly. Then her voice turned serious. “But I was inches from a deadly pit viper and shaking in my boots. I was sure I was going to die, but Flynn didn’t hesitate to get between us and kill it. Your brother knows how to wield a machete.” She looked at him, conflicting emotions battling in her eyes. “That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do.”

Flynn’s jaw muscles were getting a workout tonight. It took everything he had not to reach for her. “Anyone here would’ve done the same thing.”

“Like hell they would,” Victory said. “We’d all be hiding behind you. You’re a rare breed, Flynn. Even if you are a pain in our ass sometimes.”

Noah batted his lashes. “Oh, Flynn. You’re my hero.”

“Jackass.” Flynn threw his napkin at Noah.

Everyone laughed.

“Yeah, well, his bravery knows its limits. This is the same guy who threw up the first time he kissed a girl,” Clay said.

“What?” Leni leaned forward, looking at Flynn. “Is that true?”

“Yes,” Sutton said with a laugh.

“He told you about that?” Seth cocked a brow at Flynn.

Yeah, I know. She’s different. I wanted her to know the real me.

“We had a lot of time to talk in the rainforest,” Sutton explained.

“Dude, you were alone in the rainforest with this gorgeous woman, and you told her stories about kissing girls and puking?” Noah laughed.

“Is it any wonder he’s still single?” Victory said.

“I’m her boss,” Flynn gritted out.

“Sucks to be you,” Clay said. “Sutton, I’m not into jungles, but I have no trouble playing the field.”

Flynn shot him a warning stare. He hated having his hands tied while his brothers got to flirt with her.

Sutton smiled at Clay and said, “I bet you’re good with your hands, too,” inciting more flirtatious banter that Noah was all too happy to get in on.

Flynn had never been jealous of his brothers, but as he listened to them joking around, he couldn’t help but wonder which pictures of them Sutton had seen when she’d googled them the other night. The green-eyed monster dug its talons in. They’d all been blessed with good genetics, but the competition around the table went far deeper than looks. Flynn might joke about Seth being a nerd, but there was a reason he’d been featured as one of Forbes’s most eligible bachelors twice. His oldest brother was savvy in business and in his personal life. It wouldn’t matter what he wore; he exuded an air of authority that few could pull off without coming across as arrogant. He was also easygoing in a way Flynn could never be. But Seth knew what had gone down between Flynn and Sutton, and he’d never cross that line with her. Their brothers, on the other hand, were clueless about it.

Flynn looked across the table at Clay, laughing at something Leni had said. Mr. Perfect. That’s what the media called him. Not only did he reek of a charm all his own, but he’d also honed the ability to let things roll off his back. Then there was Noah, who on the cusp of thirty had the same playful nature he’d possessed as a kid, drawing women like flies.

Their dinners arrived, and the lighthearted banter continued, with one embarrassing story about Flynn after another. Despite his brothers’ flirting, which he’d never let go farther, he was having a good time and enjoying the way Sutton took it all in stride. They laughed a lot, but they managed to have some serious conversations, too. Victory and Sutton talked for a long time, and it was great to see his sister having fun for a change. She asked Sutton about her previous position as a fashion editor, which led to a discussion about Seth’s retail operations, and Leni’s marketing prowess, which had helped kick some of them off. Seth offered the girls a shopping spree at any of his locations, and the three women spent twenty minutes talking about when they should take him up on it.

Sutton asked Noah about his endeavor in Colorado, and she and Leni even talked with Clay about having watched his team play a time or two with their brothers. Sutton and Leni bragged about playing flag football with their family, a sight Flynn would pay to see.

All in all, it was a pretty great night.

After their plates were cleared away, Flynn sat back, grateful for his family, and said, “Thanks for a great birthday. I appreciate you all showing up, and Sutton and Leni, thanks for joining us.”

“Just wait for the after-party,” Clay said. “We’re heading to a club when we’re done here.”

Flynn was not a nightclub guy, but before he could remind them of that, Noah took center stage.

“You’re coming with us, right, ladies?” Noah urged. “I’m looking forward to getting Sutton out on the dance floor.”

Flirt all you want, little brother, but the only dancing you’ll be doing with her is vertical.

“If you guys go, I’ll go,” Victory said to Sutton and Leni, shocking Flynn. She disliked nightclubs more than he did. He was sure she’d back out.

Sutton and Leni exchanged a glance.