Page 10 of Beckett the Bad Boy

Because we don’t fuck our sister’s friends.

Granted, the rule is moot for Soren and Ezra since they’ve already fallen in love with their own women, but it still stands for me and Griffen.

Especially for me.

Because I don’t do drama.

I don’t date within the Suitor’s Crossing town limits.

Yet I’m contemplating breaking all of those rules with Beth.

She’s gotten under my skin during our brief interactions. Hell, I almost kissed her in the hall after spouting that sappy shit about ‘nothing I wouldn’t do’ for her.

Once my brain caught up to what my reckless mouth was saying, I took control of that shit and booked it out of there.

“It's about time you got here!” Kennedy’s voice rings out from across the room, and I look up to see who she’s talking to.

Grady and a few guys from third-shift saunter through the doorway. My sister must have roped them into helping, too, since the fundraiser is for the firehouse.

Grady waves in greeting but continues walking to where Beth is straightening another tablecloth. His chin dips, and I can tell he's checking out her ass.

My fists clench around the metal table in my hand. Sweat makes my hold slippery, and it crashes to the floor with an ear-piercing clatter.

Everyone stares before returning to what they were doing.

Everyone except for me.

Because I’m too focused on watching Grady sidle up to Beth.

“She may be Kennedy's friend, but we're adults now. If you want her, you shouldn't let her connection to our sister stop you, especially if you don't want Grady snatching her for himself.” Ezra picks up the fallen table with a pointed stare at the couple.

They're not a couple.

Fuck, I don't know what's wrong with me.

I don't get jealous or possessive over women. Grady chatting up Beth shouldn’t annoy me, even if I did warn him away from her.

Because he was right.

Beth isn’t my sister.

He doesn’t have a rule about dating locals. I’m the one with the issues, not him.

So, why shouldn’t he flirt with her?

Because she’s mine.

The immediate feral response punches me in the gut. It’s illogical. The claim of a Neanderthal, which I’ve never been accused of being.

Sure, I’ve got the bad boy reputation, but I’m agoodman. I treat women with respect and don’t view them as objects to own.

But I can’t shake this feeling that Beth belongs to me.

After laughing at something Grady says, she pats his arm then exits the room. Probably to grab more supplies from the lodge’s storage closet. We keep all sorts of decorations, furniture, and whatever other crap Hearthstone has accumulated over the years in there.

One kiss, I reason.

One kiss, that’s it.