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I close my eyes, let my head drop back on his shoulder, and stay in his powerful arms so long that I end up memorizing his scent—sea water mixed with woodsy tones. I’m losing myself in the way his chest feels so solid and steady against my back.

This is dangerous. I need to snap out of it and put some distance between us.

Just as I’m about to drag myself away from him, he whispers, “Woman, what did you do with baby Ser? Because you sure as hell are not the same person.”

I feel his low voice vibrate through my core, and fight the urge to shiver. I need to be in control. So I take a step forward, but he places his hands on my waist.

Dragging a deep breath, I gather all the strength I can and turn to look him in the eyes.

Grinning playfully, I close the distance between us and whisper in his ear, “What, future husband, you’re not happy with what you’ve got?”

Then I lift my arms over my head and spin in a slow pirouette.

“Fuck, Ser. You can’t talk to me like that. Jesus.”

He exhales loudly and drops his arms from my body. I feel the loss immediately and curse under my breath.

Even if I try, I can’t stop the shiver that runs through me.

He’s so handsome, it should be illegal. His black hair is a little longer than I remember—just the perfect length to grab or play with. That strong jaw, those full lips… God, they look so damn kissable.

OMG, Sierra, get a grip.

Piercing green eyes examine every inch of my body and, in this moment, I feel invincible.

What’s wrong with me? Why is he still affecting me?

“You’re shaking. Here.”

He pulls his shirt over his head, clearly mistaking my nerves for me being cold, but that’s fine by me. I don’t want him to know how much I still want him. He didn’t know back then, and I sure as hell don’t want him to know now.

The moment his shirt touches me, I’m engulfed in a sea of emotions so intense I can’t breathe.

Then he reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I want to touch him, and this terrifies me.

“Ser, that isn’t even a dress. What are you wearing? Have your brothers lost their minds? How can they let you leave the house like this?”

I could take this the wrong way and be mad at him—because “How dare he?”—or I could treat it like every other time he acted like an overprotective big brother.

Opting for the latter, I say, “Hmm… I think what I’m wearing will please any man at the club I’m planning to hit after this dinner.”

Winking at him, I start for the door, but pause and say over my shoulder, “And maybe one of them gets lucky…“

Grinning, I head inside.

“Welcome home, future husband.”

SIX

Nick

What the actual fuck was that?

She can’t be serious. She wants to go to a club dressed like that?

I mean… I know there are women wearing much less than her, but still. And she said something about a guy getting lucky at the end of the night?

Nah. That’s not going to happen, baby.