Page 56 of The Bronze Garza

He takes a sip of his drink. “For mind-blowing to happen, there needs to be more than just two people knocking body parts. More than just lust. Mind-blowing happens when there’s intense affection and an involved emotional connection. When you care deeply for the person...love them, even.”

Watching him from my peripheral, I sink my teeth down on my lip to quell the jealousy stabbing at me. It would seem this impassive, ice-sculpture of a man has beenin lovebefore. Who would’ve thought?

“What’s her name?”

Another flick of a glance in my direction. “Whose name?”

“The one you had ‘mind-blowing’ with.”

He looks down into his drink. Swirls it around. Ice clanking against the glass. “Lexi.”

Swallowing past my unjustifiable envy, I push away from the couch and take a long gulp of water. “I almost can’t believe it.”

“Believe what?”

“That you have emotions,” I say. “It almost makes you seem...human.”

He stares at me, dry and apathetic.

I smile sweetly.

His phone rings.

“Yeah,” he answers, listening. “Hang on...” He throws words at me as I’m walking to the front door. “Your step-brother drives a silver Saab?”

“Yes. Is he here?”

He replies to the person on the phone instead of me. “Yeah, it’s good.”

When he hangs up, I ask, “What, are you the king of this street or something?”

He takes another sip of his drink and brings his attention back to the television, ignoring me.

I lug my bags out onto the porch, expecting to see Patrick’s car waiting by the main gate, but it isn’t.

“Hey, bestie,” a familiar voice comes from the left of me and I almost jump out of my skin.

“Jesus, you scared the crap out of me.

Relaxed in one of the porch chairs with his feet crossed at the ankles, fingers laced behind his head, is Reuben. Laughing at me. Apparently scaring the bejesus out of me is freaking hilarious.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, wandering over to him.

“Waiting for you.”

“For me? Why?”

He tilts his head to the side and gives me a look, as if I’m supposed to know what’s going on here. “I’m your assigned security detail ‘til your father gets back.”

“What are you talking about? What security detail? I’m going home.”

Reuben frowns, as though he’s just as confused as I am. He jerks his head in a nod. “Ah, yeah, you’ll need to sort this out with the boss.” He holds his hands up. “I’m just here reporting for duty.”

Of freaking course.

I stomp back into the house and find the bastard still reclined in the living room without a care in the world.

I go right in front of the TV and cross my arms.