Playboy's Reward: Tennessee Thunderbolts, Book 4 by Gina Azzi

Author:Gina Azzi [Azzi, Gina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781954470255
Publisher: Three Cities Publishing LLC

By the time we’re eating dessert, the tension at the table has dissipated. The guests are playing musical chairs, or taking drinks around the bar in the corner or in the comfortable chairs in the neighboring den. It’s nice to sit back and watch Damien interact with his siblings, exchange conversation with his dad, and toss an arm around his mother’s shoulders.

Gary disappears under the guise of checking on Garrett, but I notice how Gabby slips from the room a few minutes later. Unfortunately, so does Fiona. And a glowering Damien. Still, no one says a word.

Every now and then, Cecilia presses her interest, sidling up to Damien’s side, placing a hand on his chest, or batting her lashes. And every time it happens, I watch the detached, aloof expression shutter over his face like closing elevator doors. One moment, he’s open and joking, eyes bright. The next, he’s perfectly polite but disengaged, holding himself apart from the rest of the room.

It makes me sad to think that Damien’s lived his whole life this way, only letting his guard down in small, incremental moments with those closest to him. I like that he’s more open with me, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that sometimes, he is hard to read. He does close himself off. He reaches for humor when he doesn’t want to be vulnerable, his default mode is an affable remoteness that is as frustrating as it is confusing.

“Did you have the cake?” Damien’s voice fills my ear.

I turn into him, my body hyperaware of his hand as it slides over my hip. “I thought the party was tomorrow?”

He gives me a playful look of mock horror. “This is the rehearsal dinner.”

I snort out a laugh. “A rehearsal for the anniversary?”

“Us Barneses like to go big at every opportunity.”

My eyes drop to his trousers, and I blush. “I know.”

Damien’s laugh bursts out, loud, unchecked, and genuine. It causes me to blush and laugh with him, my hands slipping up his arms and wrapping around his shoulders. His fingers lace together at the base of my spine, and he cradles me to him, swaying slightly. In my peripheral vision, I see some family members and friends look our way.

I bet Damien doesn’t laugh like that often, at least not at formal dinners. But he doesn’t give anyone else his attention. Instead, his eyes are focused on me, holding my gaze, speaking to my soul.

The bright green, mischievous and playful like a cat, is a soft moss. Deep, soulful, and serious. “I’m happy you’re here, Harper.”

I roll my lips together, dipping my head in agreement. “Me too.”

“No.” He shakes his head. His left hand palms the center of my back as his right moves up my side, until his thumb lifts my chin and his long fingers wrap around the side of my neck. “You don’t understand how significant this is. I’ve never brought a woman home before.”

“Not even friend-girls?” I ask, reaching for levity. Not because I

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