27. Ronan
“ I ’m gonna miss you, man,” Lopez slurs as he leans into me, struggling to reach my shoulder with his arm.
I hide my smirk behind a sip of beer. I don’t fucking know him. I don’t know any of these people who have packed into our place. I only came to Miami two weeks ago and I’m leaving for Alaska tomorrow.
This party is really for Connor, and he is having a great time, over in a corner, pretending to listen to some chick talk while he stares at her chest, a stupid drunk grin on his face. If I know Connor at all—which, oddly, I do—he’s planning on motorboating those soon.
I wander to the kitchen to dump my empty and collect a few others while I’m there. Half an hour and a few trash bags and we’ll have this place ready for the cleaner. If I could crash now, I would. Tomorrow’s going to be a long-ass day of airports and uncomfortable seats.
Strong hands land on my shoulders. “My man! You havin’ a good time?”
I chuckle. “You’re gonna be a wreck on the plane.”
“No shit. But did you see the tits on Mary?” Connor glances over his shoulder at the girl, now huddled with her friends. “I think they’re real.”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” They’re real. I pride myself on being able to tell the difference. That, and she already pressed them against me earlier tonight.
“Hey, has Ryan been home?”
“Came and left.” She put on a cute little dress that made me want to drag her into her room and bend her over her bed.
A pang of disappointment stirs in my stomach that I won’t feel the inside of her again.
She turned out to mean a lot more than I expected.
Without Tasha’s shadow hanging over me, I might have developed feelings for Ryan beyond friendship.
“She coming back tonight?”
I shrug. “She’s going to hang out with that guy she met in the elevator. You tell me if your sister is gonna bang him or come home early.” If this Kyle guy turns out to be a dick, I’ll fly home from Alaska to kill him myself.
He checks his watch. “I warned her not to come home before three, if she does at all.”
I frown. “Why?”
“Because I made plans for you.” Connor nods toward the door, where an orange-and-gold lioness stands, painted from head to toe, naked except for a pair of heels, a thong, and pasties.
Becca spots me and her face breaks out in a wide smile.
My dick instantly swells. “You’re kidding me.” How did he manage this?
“Good surprise, right?”
“Yes,” I agree.
“All right, then.” Connor’s hand tightens around the back of my neck. “Maybe now you’ll stop fucking my sister.”
My mouth drops open as I turn to meet his glare.
“You two actually thought I wouldn’t figure it out? Dude, I can sniff out fuckery from a mile away.”
Shit . “Sorry, man. I … it just …” I’m at a loss for word s.
“Your dick just fell into her?”
Fuck . I set my beer down and take a step back, forcing my arms to my sides. “Just not the nose. I can’t be on a plane for that many hours with a broken nose.”
Connor’s scowl fades with a chuckle. “Come on. I’m not gonna hit you.”
“Oh, thank God.” He may be easygoing, but those fists would do some real damage. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because Ryan’s been happier than I’ve seen her in a long time.” A rare, serious look passes over his face. “And I knew you’d treat her well.”
“Yeah, of course I would. I mean, I did .”
“I know you did. Just do me one favor and don’t tell her that I know.”
I frown curiously. “Okay?”
“It’s a fun game we have, where she thinks I’m a clueless idiot and I play into it.” Connor slaps my back. “Okay, your lioness awaits. Merry Christmas. See you in the morning. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to wash off all that paint.”