The Wildcat (Playing to Win, #2)

by Bella Matthews

“You chasing her too?” I half expect him to throw a punch until he laughs. Hard. “Fuck no. She’s psychotic.” Yeah . . . not what I was expecting. “Dude. No. Seriously. No. That one is all yours. If you get stuck for conversation, ask her about the seagulls on the beach. You’ll thank me later.” The doors open a floor below Everly’s, and the bartender salutes me as he shuffles off, mumbling, “Seagulls, man. Trust me.”

“Women buy lingerie to feel beautiful for themselves. Not a man. Not a partner. I mean, it’s nice when someone else can appreciate it, but you’ve got to be able to appreciate it for yourself first.”

“What’s a Sinclair?” My brother asks, completely confused, and Everly giggles from the couch, then catches my eye from across the room and smiles the most beautiful smile. Guess she can hear us.

You don’t have to marry the prettiest girl at the game. Marry the girl screaming the loudest because her team is losing. That girl is going to raise winners, and you want your kids to be winners.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Fuck. Sir? Really? Thirty-one goddamned years old, and I’m calling him sir. Everyone around us stops and stares. “You know my best friend is Sam Beneventi.” “Who?” I ask, genuinely having no clue who that is when everyone breaks out laughing. “Don’t fuck over my daughter, and you’ll never need to worry about it.” Declan shakes my hand, and I see a guy around the same age as him shaking his head. “Smooth, Dec. Just use me as your muscle.” Guess he’s Sam. The owner of Sweet Temptations wraps an arm around his waist. “You’re still big and scary, honey. It’s okay.” Easton Hayes steps beside me. “I warned you they were crazy. It started with their parents.”