Page 216 of The Forbidden Note

He ignores me and pours himself a bowl of cereal.

Dutch is the last to emerge. He’s in a pressed uniform and tie, looking like one of those yuppies we always made fun of. He’s been conforming more to the rules since marrying Cadey, but nothing can hide the lawlessness in his eyes or the ink all over his arms that screams ‘rule-breaker’.

They say marriage changes a man, but I don’t think Dutch is changed. He’s just controlling himself better. The monster, the animal, is still prowling around, albeit on a tighter leash.

The married couple meet on opposite ends of the counter.

“Brahms.”

“Dutch.”

They exchange a heated look filled with sexual tension, and I groan.

“Can you not eye-flirt before eight a.m? It’s nauseating.”

Dutch flips me off and then drags out the seat next to me. Cadey brings him a plate of eggs. He grabs her hand and pulls her into the seat next to him. “You should be off your feet. Let Martina handle breakfast.”

“I’m okay. I wanted to help.”

He scowls so hard, I’m sure it’ll be a permanent part of his face soon. The guy’s so protective of Cadey she can’t even take a piss without him there.

Finn sits across from me. “How did Grey’s conversation with her mom go?”

“I haven’t checked,” I say, reaching for an apple.

“You haven’t texted? Or called? Or followed her around like a puppy?” Cadey teases.

I’d flip her off too, but one look at Dutch tells me I’d just as soon lose the finger.

Finn smirks.

Dutch gives me a pointed look. “Did you two have a fight?”

“No.”

Vi snorts. “Look at his face. They totally did.”

I glare in her direction. This house was a lot more peaceful when there weren’t so many girls in it.

Martina slides a plate of eggs toward me.

I thank her with a nod, but I don’t pick up my fork. Talking about Grey takes away my appetite.

You can have me for one night, her whispered words echo.

The memory of her body brushing against mine, her sweet perfume filling my senses, her eyes glistening as she dangled that stupid carrot cuts under my ribs. I’d have crushed her against the wall and had her bawling my freaking name in seconds if she hadn’t said what she said next.

And then I never want to see you again.

Everything we’ve been through, everything I’ve ever done for her went completely over her pretty little head. She thinks I’ll be done with one screw? One torrid little affair where I rub her and touch her and sink into her tight body only to what? Never speak to her again?

Hell, I’d get drunk on her for eternity if she wasn’t so damn stubborn.

“Who’d have thought that Miss Jamieson is so good at playing hard to get?” Cadey muses, spreading jam on her toast. “It takes a special kind of girl to resist Zane for this long.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Dutch growls.

I run a hand through my hair and flash Cadey a grin that’s melted tons of panties. “You think I’m irresistible, Cadey?”