“Teagan?” She asks in astonishment.
“Ashley,” I say in greeting, making a point to wrap my arms around Layla’s waist, relishing in the way she relaxes in my hold.
“What are you doing here?” Her gaze darts to Layla, eyebrows climbing her forehead.
“I’m here with my girlfriend and her brothers.” It’s so tempting to add their names, but I don’t want to cause a scene. I just want to get out of this hallway.
“Your girlfriend. This…” she scoffs, “is your girlfriend?”
My temper flares, but before I can utter a word, Layla sticks out a hand towards my ex. “Yeah, I’m Layla Diaz. You’re actuallyintimatelyacquainted withmy brother,Marcos.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Layla
I try to keep my head down when it comes to tense situations, but right now, the way Ashley is looking at me? Speaking to Teagan like I’m notright herein his arms? It has me seeing red. So, when I tell her who exactly I am, the look of terror on her face is worth it.
“Marcos Diaz… is your… brother?”
The way she stutters over the words is so satisfying. I like to think I’m a kind person, but sometimes my inner bitch comes out.
“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘p’. “In fact, we just realized how connected we all are. Small world, isn’t it? I mean, what are the chances that the man you betrayed would be the love of my life? And the man you cheatedwithis my brother - who didn’t know you were already dating someone, by the way.” I roll my eyes, sarcasm dripping in my voice. “Sucha crazy coincidence!”
Teagan stiffens behind me, his hand splaying across my stomach as his thumb brushes the underside of my breast—either in warning or to piss her off. Ashley notices, so I draw my fingers along the veins of his forearm. Color stains her cheeks as she gapes, open-mouthed at us.
“Anyway,” I say, untangling myself from Teagan. “We’re done in the bathroom now, so it’s all yours. And don’t worry, we cleaned up our mess.”
Winking at her, I pull Teagan away from the bathrooms and back to my brothers.
Once we’re out of her line of sight, I veer toward the bar, desperate for a drink that isn’t Tito’s. The bartender is busy, so I lean with my back against the bar, elbows propped on top behind me. Teagan is staring at me with an unreadable expression.
“What?”
Closing the small gap between us, he snatches my chin between his finger and thumb, lifting my head so our eyes meet. “Are you alright?”
Confused, I ask, “What do you mean?”
A soft smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve just never seen you so…”
“Bitchy?”
He drops his hand, giving me a wry look. “I was going to say confrontational. I’ve never seen you so confrontational. And to be perfectly honest, I’m rather turned on by it.”
A sharp laugh escapes me. “Was what we just did in the bathroom not enough for you?”
Bending so his lips brush my ear, he whispers, “It will never be enough for me, Cailín.”
I can’t even tease him because I feel the same - I always want him. He stirs up desire so strong, it can barely be contained. Words are powerful, so telling him that I love him is enough, but showing him with my body connects us on a deeper level. Touching him is addicting. I love the feel of his skin and those sculpted muscles under my hands, my tongue. I love the way his hard edges sink into the cushion of my body, how his strong hands hold me to him. Teagan makes me feel safe and confident, shielding me from anyone or anything that makes me question myself, all while empoweringme to go after what I want from life.
Overcome by these thoughts, I fling myself at him, hugging him tight. He doesn’t even hesitate to fold me into his arms.
“What’s this for, Lovely?” He lets out a small laugh.
“I love you,” I whisper into his ear. “So much.”
He tightens his hold and kisses my neck before murmuring against my skin, “I love you too, Layla.”
“Areyouokay? Is this the first time you’ve seen her since she left?”
