KINDRED

Chapter Three                                                                                                                                                                            To read a short excerpt of Chapter Four Click Here

“Jax is a smitten kitten.” Carson smiled across the table as she spoke to Crude. “Hell, he’s barely been out of the same room since he found that chick.”

 She slapped down a three of spades and drew another card from the deck.

Crude grunted, pinned her with a suspicious glare. “Jax is not taken with this woman.” Crude always pretended to be a hardass, but underneath it all he was smooth as silk. “He’s taking care of business.”

The guy could fight too. Shit, he’d dusted a total of well…she couldn’t even remember what the last tally was, but she did know this, it was a hell of a lot of vampire ass to slay.

“Bet me.” Carson extended her left hand as her right one held a full house.

“I’ve already bet you.” Crude rolled his eyes, but Carson didn’t care. His bark was much bigger than his bite.

Much bigger.

“Too chicken to double bet?” she dared him.

Crude’s lips slid across a perfect white-toothed smile. “Okay, Carson. What’s your poison?”

“If Jax takes this chick on, you have to take me for a night on the town.” She grinned, feeling Hunter’s gaze pin her from across the room.

Crude’s eyes widened then slanted. Hell, he knew she was up to something, but he humored her nonetheless. “Deal.”

Carson grinned. Satisfaction would be hers. “You’re on. So where are you taking me?” She coaxed, sliding her arms across the card table and leaned in. She sucked at flirting. Deep down, she knew Crude realized she didn’t want him. But it was fun to play around with him. He was like a scary big brother that no one knew was tender underneath. Plus, he sensed her feelings for Hunter. The energy radiating off of him when he was around her let her know that much.

“Nowhere. I’m not losing.” Crude pitched a card down on the table and drew another one from the deck.

“The hell you say,” she challenged.

A warm shadow rested on her back. Hunt.

Strong fingers curved around the back of her chair. A strange aura bounced from him. Strong, pungent, one she hadn’t felt before. A slow, heavy breath settled on the back of her neck. “Give the guy a break, Carson. Maybe he doesn’t like girls.”

Crude growled at Hunter then turned his attention back to the card game. “Easy, Hunt. You afraid I’m stepping on your territory?”

Hunter moved from behind her, folded his arms across his chest in a slow, smooth motion. “Hey brother, territory’s all yours.”

“I’m no man’s territory.” Carson turned to face him. How could he be so passive with her? Sometimes he was overly protective and others he acted plain nuts.

“Right,” Hunter agreed.

Carson’s throat tightened. Why did she even bother?

She pitched her cards down on the table. “Forget the bet.” She stood up from the table and left the room, pretending Hunter’s comment didn’t hurt like hell.