The fondness in her voice makes my blood pressure rise. It’s an act. It has to be. She’s just doing this to punish me. She’s willing to hurt Shiloh to fuck with me. “I’ll get her taken off your guard duty.”
Monroe smiles, slow and sure. “Might want to ask her what she thinks before you charge in all high-handed to save her.”
“I’m not going to let you fuck around with Shiloh in some misguided attempt to hurt me.” Shiloh’s only in Sabine Valley—in danger—because of her association with me and my family. It’s all too easy to draw the parallels between Shiloh and the people who died the night we were exiled. Just like that, the scent of smoke scorches my nose. So many fucking people died and their only crime was being associated with the Paine family.
Just like Shiloh is.
“I will not let you hurt her,” I repeat.
“Hurt her?” She raises her brows. “Silly man. Who said this had anything to do with you? I’m a woman with needs, and right now those needs include getting Shiloh naked and coming on my tongue. You don’t enter into the equation. Neither does hurting her—unless she’s into that sort of thing.”
“Liar.”
“You think so little of her that you really believe she’s not attractive enough to pull me? I can’t decide if that’s a compliment or an insult.” She tilts her head to the side. “I think it’s both—to both of us.”
“Listen to me, Monroe, because I will only say this once.” My voice is so low and rough, I hardly sound like myself. No, I sound like my brother Cohen right before he does something violent. The thought nearly shocks me back to myself. Or it would if Monroe weren’t so damned close. She’s still tugging on the band of my pants, and I wouldn’t put it past her to undo them right here.
I can picture it as clearly as I pictured fucking her over the bar earlier. Digging my hand into that mass of blond hair and driving her to her knees. Of finding the single way to keep her silent—by fucking that wicked mouth.
Damn it.
I’m out of control.
How does she do this? No one gets under my skin so thoroughly, let alone in seconds. “Stay the fuck away from Shiloh,” I repeat.
“You don’t get to make that decision.” The voice comes from behind me, light and clear and angry enough to singe.
The victorious smile on Monroe’s face is a perfect match to the sinking in my chest. Shit. I release the bar and take one long step from her, disengaging her hand from my pants. My cock is hard, but there’s not a lot I can do about it. Just another way I’ve lost control in the last few minutes. I turn to find Shiloh standing in the doorway. She looks angrier than I’ve ever seen her.
Gods, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her angry.
Normally she’s so easy to be around. Chill and constantly rolling with the punches that came from our group never being able to settle in one place. Her parents were nightmares, and she’s ended up on the exact opposite of that spectrum, choosing never to make waves.
I can’t remember a single time we’ve actually fought. I hold up my hands, trying to think past the swirling of sex and smoke and loss in my thoughts.
“Shiloh—”
“No.” She shakes her head. “You do not get to say my name in that tone of voice like I’m the one out of line. Are you and your Bride in a monogamous relationship?”
I clench my jaw. “That’s not the point. I’m only trying—”
“I asked you a question, Broderick Paine,” she snaps. “Are you and your Bride in a monogamous relationship?”
I take a step forward. Surely she, of all people, understands how dangerous this dance is? Monroe isn’t a normal woman. Yes, I’d feel jealous to see Shiloh starting something with someone else, but ultimately that’s not my call to make. We’re friends. But Monroe isn’t just someone else. She’s the enemy. She will use Shiloh and discard her the moment Monroe’s finished with her. I wouldn’t be a good friend if I just stood back and let it happen. Especially since the danger is my Bride. “Can’t you see that you’re falling right into her trap? This is her way of getting back at me.”
Shiloh’s tone goes absolutely frigid. “Because that’s the only way someone could want me. As a path to get to you.”
Too late, I realize my mistake. “That’s not what I meant.”
“That’s what you said,” Monroe supplies from behind me.
“Stay out of it, witch.”
“You sweet talker, you.”
Shiloh closes the distance between us and pokes my chest. “Answer the damned question. Now.”
“No,” I bite out. “We’re not monogamous.”
“Have you had any negotiations about having a say in each other’s love lives?”
“No,” I repeat.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so.” She glares up at me. “And, as you are my friend and nothing more, you certainly don’t get a say on who I let into my bed. Fuck off, Broderick.” She spins on her heels, flips me the bird, and is gone.
The sound of slow clapping fills the room.
I turn to find Monroe practically giddy with amusement. “Wow. You really fucked that up all on your own. I barely had to help.”
“You are such a bitch.”
“Takes one to know one.” She starts for the door.
It’s as if my brain skips. One moment, I’m ready to tear into her for pulling such an underhanded move. The next, I’m watching my hand reach out and snag her wrist. All thought and reason take a back seat as I drag her behind me to the door she and Shiloh emerged from. One blink and we’re inside. Another and I have Monroe pressed against the closed door. “Did you have her just like this?” I wedge my thigh between her legs.
She lifts her brows, completely unbothered by the manhandling. But then, of course she is. She got off on it last time, too. “Yes, actually.”
“Such a smart mouth on you, Monroe. I ought to shove my cock in it and shut you up.”
“Not interested.” She laughs. “I already played the saint and kept my hands off your little girlfriend’s pussy.” She arches against me. “Make me come, Broderick. You want to use your cock to punish me? I’m ready and willing.”
“Ready and willing,” I repeat.
“Mmm.” She runs her hands up my chest and leans forward until her lips brush my ear. “Getting Shiloh off got me so fucking wet. She’s so pretty when she orgasms, husband. I’ll have to show you sometime.”
“Stop calling me that,” I grind out.
I can hear her smile. “Make me.”
Those two little words snap the last bit of leash holding me back. I pull away from her and yank her to bend over the sink. I undo her pants and shove them to the floor. I don’t care if they get dirty. I don’t give a damn about anything but fucking her until I expel some of the frustration turning me into a goddamned monster. “I ought to have bent you over the bar and fucked you right there.”
“Better have charged for it, then.”
“Always a snappy comeback.” I grip the front of her shirt and jerk it down, baring her breasts. With only the little top thing around her hips, she looks like a sex goddess. It doesn’t matter if we’re in a dingy bar bathroom. Monroe owns this space just like she owns every space she occupies. I can’t blame Shiloh for being drawn to her. I’m right here, in the exact same spot, acting outside of my best interests because of this woman, too.