Page 28 of The Auction Block

We all sit around, drinking and enjoying the evening. Miranda is on and off the phone, arguing with an ex-boyfriend apparently. If all dating aftermath is like that, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. Listening to her answer phone calls and then whine to Blake after each one might be the most annoying thing . . . ever.

"He's such an asshole," she says tossing her phone on the table.

"Then stop answering his calls," Blake says with disinterest as he takes a draw from his beer.

"You know it isn't that simple, Blake."

"Yeah, it is. The dude treats you like shit. Treated you like shit when you dated him. Yet every time he calls, you jump to the phone." His eyes dart to mine and my stomach clenches.

"Lily, where'd you learn to dance?" Caleb sets his drink on the table.

"I'm originally from Texas."

"No shit? No wonder you're hot." He winks at me.

"Caleb!" Miranda's voice is shrill and makes me wince.

"Oh, Christ man, stop drinking now," Blake says shaking his head.

My cheeks heat, but a loud huff pulls my attention to the end of the table. Jax is glaring at me.

Shit!

"Lily." Jax stands.

I knew this was going to happen. God damn it. I sigh, setting my drink down and standing. I follow Jax out of earshot of the others and look at the floor. His irritation is thick enough to cut with a hacksaw.

"Your actions are inappropriate, Lily."

"They are not."

"Really? Breakfast with him every morning, lunch every afternoon. You're not the only person who’s read those text messages. Dancing with him . . . do you have any idea how you looked out there? If you were trying to hide the shaking, you failed."

"I'm his bodyguard. Breakfast and lunch are necessary, seeing as he can't go alone. I have nothing to do with those messages. They're between him and Caleb. Tonight's my only infraction, and I'm sorry." I lift my eyes to his face.

His demeanor softens. "I know. It isn't your fault. You're a beautiful young woman and someone was bound to notice. Nevertheless, you're the agent. If you let this go too far, I'll have no choice but to get Monroe involved." He gently rubs my upper arm.

I shake, hard, gritting my teeth together. Jax ignores it and drops his hand. "Yes, sir."

"She said leave her the fuck alone," Blake yells from somewhere behind us.

I spin around as a guy damn near as tall as Blake, shoves him. He staggers back, but immediately recovers and pushes the guy back. Miranda's standing just behind him, a mischievous grin on her lips. My entire team is on their feet, watching intently.

The two continue to yell at one another. I stalk across the space, vaguely aware a few of my team members follow me. Without thinking, I push between them, place my hands on Blake's chest and push, hard. He continues to talk shit to the guy, the tension in his chest muscles too noticeable.

"Blake!"

Everyone shuts up and he gazes down at me, and then at my hands on his chest. I slowly let them drop, keeping my eyes on his.

"Enough," I whisper.

He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and reopening them. Miranda's to my right, staring at him, her mouth hanging open.

Trouble making bitch.

"Listen, enough yelling, Let's jus— " Something hard connects with my cheek.

Miranda's ex-boyfriend has got balls. He doesn't know who I am . . . but he's about to. Blake goes to move around me, but Dresden and Vlad each grab one of his arms. I stand straighter, and gently touch my cheek, hiding the pain it brings.