“She’s visiting a friend who had a chemo treatment yesterday,” Ellianna explained, snagging my attention even though I tried to keep my focus solely on Josie. “Since I offered to do the grocery shopping this morning, she decided to spend some extra time helping out.”
“Miss Lindy?” Ellianna nodded, and Howler grimaced. “Mom sent her flowers after her surgery. I didn’t know she was already starting treatments, though.”
“From what I was told, the sooner, the better. Her cancer is pretty aggressive.”
“Damn. Judge, man, we need to stop by and see her next week. Maybe take her some dinner.”
I nodded. “I’ll get my assistant to arrange for some meals for her and her family. Mabel told me that her son and daughter-in-law moved back in to help take care of her.”
“That’s not the same as us dropping by to check on her ourselves. Remember those fried pies she would make for school fundraisers? We have to stop by. And have the other Sons check on her too.”
“I’ll make her a get-well card!” Josie announced.
“Good idea, princess,” I encouraged, smacking a kiss on her cheek as we walked into the restaurant.
The waiting area was so crowded, it was hard to get to the hostess stand. Eyes turned in our direction, our entrance stopping the flow of conversations as we passed. Putting Josie on my shoulders to keep her from getting accidentally stepped on, I walked over to the woman behind the podium.
“Judge Bennet,” she greeted with a huge smile. “It’s a pleasure to have you join us again. How many are in your group?”
“There are four of us. Wherever you can fit us is fine.”
Josie bent down to kiss my forehead, causing her pigtails to hit me in the face. “The food smells so yummy, Uncle Judge.”
“I’m sorry, but there’s a small wait,” she told me, watching my goddaughter indulgently. “Give me twenty minutes, and we’ll get you seated.”
“Ah, man!” Josie said with a loud groan. “I’m so hungry.”
“Can I get two orders of the shrimp tempura while we wait?” I asked.
“I’ll bring it out right away,” she said with a wink at Josie when she squealed her excitement.
Thanking her, I walked over to where Howler was standing with Ellianna. “My roommate’s name is Julie. She’s all right, I guess.”
Howler threw back his head and laughed loudly, causing everyone who wasn’t already looking our way to turn their heads. “You have that look on your face, Elli.”
“What look?” she grumbled, sounding petulant and so fucking sexy.
I couldn’t allow myself to do more than glance at her because it was too dangerous. I didn’t trust myself not to get addicted to the sight of her. But I still found my eyes drifting toward her every ten seconds. That ridiculously pink dress shirt was hauntingly familiar. I’d told Mabel to destroy that damned thing the morning after the charity fundraiser I’d worn it to.
That entire night, I’d felt Ellianna’s eyes on me. The cravings I’d already begun to feel for her had nearly burned me alive. It was then that I knew she needed to be far, far away from me or she wouldn’t be safe. I was too sick in the head over her, and my control was starting to crumble.
Control was everything in my world.
Control was the difference between life and death at times.
Control kept those I loved safe.
If I lost it, even for a moment, everything I cherished would disappear.
That shirt represented just how close to losing the control I valued I truly was.
And she looked fucking edible in it.
Like with everything else she wore, she was beautiful. But knowing that it was my shirt—that for an all too brief evening, that same material had touched my body and was now wrapped around hers as if she was presenting me with every dream I’d ever had of her on a silver platter—was too much.
My shirt ended just above her knees, the hem caressing her skin the way my hands itched to. If I stared even a second too long, I would start fantasizing about how soft her flesh would be. How her breaths would come in delicate little pants when I pressed her thighs apart. How she’d moan my name when I cupped her wet little pussy through her innocent white panties.
How sweet she would taste.
Fuck.
I quickly averted my eyes, but no sooner did I look away than my skin began to feel too tight, and I was watching her again.
The top two buttons on that stupid pink shirt were undone, giving the barest hint of her small tits. The first button was missing, sitting in a drawer beside my bed like a sick trophy. I didn’t know why I’d torn it off and kept it, even after demanding Mabel burn the rest of the shirt. No idea other than I needed a reminder of how good it had felt having Ellianna’s eyes on me that entire night. Other guys had come up to her, tried to flirt, but she hadn’t even heard them because she was lost in watching me. I was the center of her attention—of her world—and I had never had a more exhilarating moment in my life.
I’d never felt so strong, so capable, so fucking powerful.
Before or since.
And right then, dressed in a shirt that represented just how sick and depraved I was for her, she wouldn’t look at me. Her pretty blue eyes were on my best friend. Her full attention focused on him, making me want to rip out the other man’s throat.
Right in front of everyone.
In front of Josie.
And I would, I fucking would without hesitation if she kept pushing all the wrong buttons.
“Your words are all nice and sweet, Elli, but you can’t hide your disgust.” Howler cocked his head, a grin teasing his face as he gazed down at her. Fuck him. I’d changed my mind. He couldn’t have Lyla after all. I would find another way to keep my sister home. “I guess you two aren’t friends?”
Ellianna sighed heavily. “Nope. She’s…exhausting, I guess is the nicest way to describe her.”
“Why not get a different roommate?” Howler asked with another laugh.
“Because it was hard enough finding the one I have. Yeah, we argue about who is responsible for what part of the utility bills and all the dishes and trash she just leaves lying around the apartment and the creepy guys she brings home—”
Creepy guys.
In her apartment.
Where she slept—while she slept.
Fuck.
I needed to take care of that before she returned to California.
The person responsible for Ellianna’s “scholarships” hadn’t called me back yet, and I’d been so busy with work that I’d let it slide, but I’d deal with the fucker Monday morning.
“But the area I live in is safe, and I can walk to campus or work. No other apartment has opened up in the complex in the two years I’ve lived there, and even with the scholarship that pays my part of the rent, I couldn’t afford an entire place on my own. At least, not in a place that is convenient or with as many security features that would keep my mom from worrying.” She shifted from one foot to the other, her fingers playing with her chunky white belt. Without my permission, my gaze dropped to her bare, silky legs. “Besides, it’s only for two more semesters. I’ve survived this long. I can survive a few more months.”
The hostess appeared with a dish of the huge fried shrimp. Nodding my thanks, I slipped her a tip as I took the plate from her and lifted it high enough that Josie was able to snatch two. Instantly, I felt crumbs fall in my hair, but I didn’t complain. Instead, I nudged Ellianna, offering her the appetizer.