HEAT (Montgomery Men Book 2)

by C. A. Harms

  The moment he reached us, he enclosed her in his arms and took her lips in a hungry kiss. I looked away quickly, feeling awkward again. I wouldn't lie, I was envious of Kimmy. Being loved and needed like that must feel extraordinary.

  “Good evening, Elle.” I turned back as Rick spoke and found they had now parted. Well, he still held her waist securely, but at least they were no longer dry-humping one another.

  “Thanks for inviting me, Rick,” I said as he leaned in and kissed my cheek.

  “You are always welcome.” He winked. “You’re not only Kim’s friend, but mine as well.”

  She’d hit the jackpot with this guy; he was definitely one of the good ones. I could only hope my own Rick was waiting out there in the world somewhere for me to find him.

  BECKETT

  “This wasn't what I had in mind when I invited you out tonight,” I grumbled as I lifted my beer to my lips.

  Ashton only chuckled at my side as he continued to look out at the dance floor. He, of course, was watching Kinsley as she and Lex danced only a few feet away to the beat of the music. Had Lex been any other man, he would be counting stars at my brother’s hands, or worse. Ashton wouldn’t have allowed Lex to hold her waist and move his hips in time with hers if he hadn't known Lex had absolutely no interest in his woman. But it didn’t stop him from watching Lex closely, which I found humorous.

  What I didn't find funny was the way Lex continued to try and push my buttons. The guy had to know by now that I loved women 150 percent, but he still continued to watch me and taunt me.

  My beer tasted sour, but I was positive it had more to do with the erotic way Lex was moving while staring at me than with the actual beer itself. Just to further my discomfort, he was even mouthing the words to the song, which was talking about being worth it, or something like that. Harmless, I know, and, yes, maybe a little funny had it not been the fact I hoped to pick up a woman for the evening. Having Lex fawning all over me, giving me that dreamy-eyed look as if I was his or some shit, wouldn’t help me find a woman. He needed to redirect that look somewhere else for tonight and let me get mine.

  One can only hold their shit together for so long before they blew, and I was seconds away from igniting. Games and fun, yeah I get it, but tonight was not the time.

  “Why does Beckett have a sour fucking look on his face?” I shifted my gaze to my right just as Knoxville flopped down into the empty space beside me. “You seriously look like you’ve been sucking on a lemon. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Before I could explain the uncomfortable situation, my other asshole of a brother jumped in. “Lexington is grating on his nerves. I think there may be a hidden desire there he’s trying to fight. I’m beginning to think Lex is wearing him down.”

  I griped my beer bottle tighter as they chuckled.

  A loud shriek made me jump in surprise and nearly had me launching the bottle into the air.

  “What the fuck?” Knox asked, taking the words straight from my mouth.

  We all watched as Lex hurried toward the top of the stairs and pulled a woman into his arms. He hugged her close and practically swung her from side to side. I could only see the top of her head over his left shoulder as her feet whipped from the force of his movements.

  “Kinsley,” he hollered over his shoulder, “get over here. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  Ashton moved to stand and I chuckled. “Holy hell, man, she’s going less than five feet away. Let the woman breathe a little without you up her ass.”

  He glared at me but remained seated as he turned his attention back to her. The man was glued to Kinsley, and I was surprised he was able to leave her daily to go to work. It was comical to watch my once-independent brother be so reliant on a woman.

  Laughter erupted from the area where Lex and Kinsley had gone, and I looked back in their direction. His broad shoulders were blocking the women that stood before him, but a small pixie-haired brunette stood to his side, smiling brightly. Kinsley stood at his other side as they all continued to talk and laugh.

  “Rosa has amazing hands, girl,” Lex gushed loudly. “You don't just feel her touch in your feet, you feel it all the way up to the tips of your hair. Like I said, you’re totally hanging on the edge of an orgasm,” he added, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Isn’t that right, Beckett?” Lex added, turning around to look at me.

  I had fully intended to finally tell him to fuck off and find another interest, but I lost my train of thought the moment I looked back at him. Everything faded around me except for the woman standing before him. She was tall, but I was sure that was partially related to the black, strappy heels that hugged her feet and wrapped up and around her ankles. Her short, black dress did nothing to hide the long, gorgeous legs that went on and on. It was more like a second skin, cut low in the front, showing off her perky breasts. It also showed off her neck, which was fully exposed with her hair piled on top of her head. The occasional tendril spilled out, hanging in long golden spirals.

  Fuck, the word beautiful didn’t truly do her justice.

  “Have I struck you speechless, handsome?” Lex said, pulling me out of my thoughts. Without knowing it, he gave me the perfect opportunity to show my interest in this gorgeous beauty.

  “No, Lexington, it was definitely not you that struck me speechless.” I locked my gaze on the blonde and she averted her gaze to the floor. I was happy to find she wasn't some arrogant bitch that flaunted herself, and I found her shyness strangely appealing.

  “Damn,” Knoxville said from my side, and I didn't bite back because I completely agreed. But then he took it one step further. “Look at those fucking legs.”

  “Eyes up, fucker,” I said, triggering a chuckle from both of my brothers.

  “Uh-oh,” Ashton said, only I didn't look at him. “Looks like little brother has found someone of interest.”

  I didn't react. Instead I observed her a few minutes longer as Lexington and Kinsley continued to talk to both women. When the brunette led the blonde away, I instantly felt a sense of loss.

  Ashton pulled Kinsley onto his lap when she tried to move past him, making her squeal. I let them have their moment before I slid forward to dig for information. “Kins, who was the blonde?”

  She looked over her shoulder in the direction the women had walked off. “Shanelle, I think. Or wait, she said to call her Elle.” She slapped Ashton’s hand away when he tried to cop a feel, and I glared at the fucker. He needed to rein that shit in for now.

  “Lex met her and her friend earlier today when they were getting a pedicure,” she continued. “You’ll have to ask him for details.”

  I turned to find Lex approaching with a gleam in his eye. The asshole knew he had me by the balls. If I wanted info, I’d have to endure his fucking teasing and roaming eyes. He waggled his eyebrows as he sat, and I slid a little to the left. Ashton and Knoxville laughed because those assholes loved the rise Lex got out of me.

  “Was there something you wanted to know, handsome” Lex asked with a grin.

  My ego wanted me to tell him to fuck off, but I couldn't walk away without learning more about Elle first.

  “Who was that girl?” I said, looking down at the bottle I held tightly in my hands.

  “Excuse me?” Lex asked, sliding in closer. “I didn't quite hear you. This music is so loud.”

  When his shoulder brushed mine, I hung my head, knowing full well he was doing this shit on purpose. The asshole fucking heard me just fine.

  “The girl,” I repeated as I breathed in slowly, trying to control my irritation me. “Who is she?”

  “A friend,” Lex offered with a smirk, which only irritated me further. Now was not the time for him to be cocky.

  “All the shit you put me through, all the fucking teasing and pushing, and that’s all you got? ‘A friend’?” I said, setting the bottle on the small table that separated the two couches we occupied.

  I ignored my brothers’ and Kinsley’s laugh
ter as Lex and I had a stare-down, and not once did the dickhead falter. I had to give it to the guy, he seemed fearless.

  “Shanelle Kramer,” he finally said. “She goes by Elle.”

  I remained silent, needing more.

  “We only met today at the spa when we were getting pedicures,” he continued. “She was funny, or she thought I was. I’m not sure exactly how it all played out. I just know we clicked. And seeing her twice in one day has to be a sign we should be friends. At least that’s what I told her.”

  “That’s all you got?” I asked.

  He nodded, then lifted a finger in the air. “Wait,” he said as if he’d just remembered some big piece of info. “She’s a trauma nurse.”

  I stared at him. No information of whether she was single, engaged, or what. I could have figured out everything he’d told me on my own. Actually I could have found out a hell of lot more with only her name. I had access to info on every one in this city, but here I was, hounding Lexington for information, a man that would play me like a fiddle if it meant getting an ounce of attention from me.

  And just like that, as if each of the assholes sitting around us saw the moment that fact dawned on me, they all laughed.

  SHANELLE

  I was well aware that I was being watched, and I was surprised it didn’t make me nervous. It was intriguing, really, to be desired by a man I only knew as Beckett. Even then I only knew his name because my new friend Lex had said it loud and clear only moments ago.

  The dark, brooding, hungry look in his eyes when he stared at me was alluring. Having a man look at me that way was completely foreign, but it gave me a strange sense of confidence.

  Hell, what did I know? Maybe it was the drinks I’d had and nothing to do with the stranger with the hungry eyes, but each time I thought of the way he scanned over me, slowly appreciating me from afar, heat rose in my body and pooled deep in my stomach.

  “I’ll be back.” I nudged Kim as I passed her on my way back to the stairs.

  She gripped my elbow before I could get too far and looked at me curiously. “Where are you going?”

  I dodged out of her grip, and she followed me across the room.

  “Where are we going?” she asked again as she hurried down the steps behind me.

  “I have to pee,” I whispered. “I didn't want to walk past that guy upstairs to use the one there,” I continued once we reached the bottom of the stairs.

  “Um, who?” she asked as she hurried after me. “The hot guy that’s been watching you since we arrived in VIP? The one that looks at you like he’s undressed you with his eyes five times and imagined fucking you in at least five different positions?”

  “Yep,” I replied. “That guy.”

  “And why, may I ask, are you avoiding him?” she asked as she stepped up to my side and leaned against the wall near the restroom. At this point I didn't mind one bit that there was a line. It gave me a few extra moments to control my excitement. Part of me wanted to walk upstairs and take a chance, but the logical part of me knew he was dangerous.

  “A guy like that has ‘run away’ written all over him,” I explained, and she arched her brow. “I’d fall for him and he’d run. It’s simple, really.”

  “And you formed that opinion how?” she asked, still looking at me like I was insane. “Because what I got from that heated stare he was giving you was that he would rock your world and leave you breathless.”

  “Yeah, just before he climbed out of bed, slipped his pants back on, and left before my body had even stopped humming from the way he just rocked it.” I shook my head. “That’s the part where he’d run, leaving me wanting more while feeling used.”

  “The bubble,” she mumbled.

  “What?”

  “You and your comfortable bubble. The one you remain in daily, leaving yourself no option for finding happiness.” Kim pushed off the wall and turned to face me.

  “I am happy,” I insisted.

  “No, you’ve just lived there so long you've convinced yourself you are. But if you would get a life outside of your job, you’d see what happiness really looks like.”

  I started to argue with her analysis as I always do, but she turned and walked away. “I’ll be waiting at the bar,” she called over her shoulder with a wave of her hand, leaving me alone to ponder her words.

  After I finally got into the restroom and spent as long as possible stalling there, I went back to the bar in search of Kim. What I saw when I got there sent a streak of excitement through me.

  “Look who I found,” Kim said as I stepped up to her side. She gestured at Andrew, who was standing only a few feet away.

  “Hi,” I said with a smile. “Are you following us?”

  He looked good—really good—in jeans that hugged him just right and a dark V-neck sweater. The sleeves were pushed up, exposing his strong forearms. There were no tattoos, which I still found disappointing, but they were impressive nonetheless. The man was yummy, and the club’s lighting only made him more alluring.

  He smiled, showing off his perfect teeth, and I knew he’d caught me perusing him.

  “No, but I can’t say I’m disappointed we ended up in the same place,” he confessed.

  “Me either,” I said, surprising myself. But when his smile grew, I ignored the nervous feeling in my stomach and just went with it.

  Stepping out of my bubble was hard, but why not, right?

  “Why don't you join us, upstairs?” Kim asked, and those flutters returned as I wondered if he’d refuse.

  “I’d love to,” he said, stepping in a little closer to me. “If that’s okay with you?”

  I nodded, trying to slow my racing heart. I took the drink Kim offered me, turned, and walked toward the stairs. As we climbed them, Andrew placed his hand on the small of my back and I couldn't control my smile.

  Kimmy noticed too, because she looked back over her shoulder and winked at me.

  Once we reached the top platform, I glanced over at Lex and his group of friends. I couldn't help myself. The brooding man was frowning, and for some reason the sight of it made my stomach ache. Had I seen him anywhere other than in a club where I was surrounded but hundreds of people, I may have been intimidated by him. He just had that bad-boy, take-no-shit, don’t-fuck-with-me look. But it was sexy as hell on him.

  “Are you okay?” Andrew asked, leaning in close to my ear, pressing his chest firmly against my back. I nodded as I pulled my gaze away from the man and moved toward Rick and his group of friends.

  Introductions were made and that fifth-wheel feeling I had earlier slowly faded. Andrew was a gentleman, touchy-feely, but not over-the-top about it. Nothing felt uncomfortable about him placing his hand on my shoulder or my lower back or the way he would brush away a stray hair that had fallen over my shoulder. The flirting felt nice, and I welcomed it.

  “I think I told you earlier, but in case I didn’t, you look amazing,” Andrew said as he took a seat next to me on the couch.

  “Thank you,” I offered with a smile. Compliments were also something I had a difficult time with. I never knew what to say in return, so a thank-you always seemed like a safe bet.

  As the night went on, I grew more comfortable with Andrew. He talked about his family in Minnesota. He had two older brothers and a younger sister. His father was a surgeon, and his mother had chosen to stay home when her children were growing up to ensure her family was taken care of. I could see the pride in his eyes when he talked about them. He seemed so humble.

  “So what brought you to New York?” I asked, curious why he would be so far away from a family he obviously loved.

  “My goal was always to move to the Big Apple and follow my dream to become an architect. I always wanted to be part of the city and its magic. The structure and beauty of the buildings inspire me.” His enthusiasm was interesting and slightly sexy.

  “And you’re a nurse?” he turned the conversation back to me.

  I could spend hours talking to anyone
about their life, the things they loved, and the events that had led them to where they were now, but I struggled to talk about my own life.

  “That right there shows you’re selfless,” he added.

  “My mother’s a nurse,” I shared as if that was explanation enough. “She inspired me.”

  We continued to talk as if we had known one another a lot longer than twenty-four hours. When Kim told me she and Rick were ready to leave, I felt a small sense of panic.

  “What time is it?” I asked.

  “Almost one,” she said, also looking surprised that time had passed so quickly.

  I wasn't drunk, not even close. I had gotten so lost in the conversation with Andrew that the night had slipped by in a blur.

  “I have to work in six hours,” I said, concerned. For the first time in my life, I wished I could call in. But the people that relied on me outweighed the urge, and I stood from the couch and grabbed my handbag.

  Andrew also stood and once again placed his hand on my back to steady me as I moved around the small table in front of the couch where we were sitting. I followed Rick and Kim toward the staircase. Just as they started to descend, my path was blocked by a strong arm covered with tattoos.

  My heart pounded as I slowly lifted my gaze and was met by dark chocolate-brown eyes.

  Beckett.

  For a moment the room felt as if it was shrinking in around us. The intensity he oozed made me feel weakened in his presence.

  “Sorry about that,” he said in a low, husky tone.

  Something about him sent excitement racing through my body. I had no doubt he was the kind of man that smiled as he took what he wanted, devoured it, and left it hanging on the edge of delirium, knowing just the type of destruction he’d caused. The naughty expression on his face excited me a lot more than it should have. In fact, it made parts of my body crave the destruction I knew he could cause.