“Can we talk for a minute?” I asked.

“Sure,” he said, stepping to the side so the others could pass. Jess cocked a brow at me but I ignored her.

“What’s up?” Taz asked. I looked up at him, taking in his nearly perfect features, that sexy hair still pulled back, and the way his eyes all but oozed sex. Had I lost my mind, turning this guy down?

Probably.

“Um . . . I guess there’s no easy way to say this, but I was really drunk last night,” I started. He gave me a gentle smile.

“Picked up on that.”

I felt myself blushing—I should never drink like that again. I knew that compared to some people, it hadn’t been very bad, but I hated feeling so out of control. My dad was always doing stupid shit when he was drunk.

I was better than that . . . at least, I wanted to be better than that. Right after I made it through this trip to the fair.

“So I’m not really looking for a relationship,” I started. Taz’s smile grew wider.

“Works for me. I’m just trying to get laid,” he said bluntly, and while you’d think his words would’ve been offensive, somehow—from him—it just felt like he was shooting straight with me. “And I already know I’m not getting anywhere with you. But your little roommate is hot for it, and it’s driving her crazy that I’m with you. Painter’ll probably be out here later, so you can piss him off by hanging on me. Right about the time he loses his shit and hauls you off, she’ll be ready and willing to comfort me in my sorrow. It’s win-win, really.”

I gaped at him.

“I can’t believe you just told me that,” I said finally. “That’s pretty shameless.”

“Shame isn’t really my thing,” he said, radiating cocky confidence. “Just roll with it, babe. We’ll have a good time, and then you’ll go home with Painter while I nail your roomie.”

I blinked.

“You realize I’m totally going to warn her about you,” I finally managed to say. He smiled, pure sin on a stick. Or would that be sin with a stick? Heh.

“I’m counting on it,” he said. “She likes trouble—I can tell. It’ll turn her on, challenge her. The more you warn her, the easier it’ll be.”

I frowned, trying to decide how that made me feel.

“Let’s go,” he said. “I’m hungry, and Em says the BBQ out here is incredible. I’ll even buy you dinner. Sound good?”

I nodded, still confused. I wasn’t sure how to deal with this, but he was right about one thing . . . fair BBQ was the shit, and damned if I wasn’t hungry.

CHAPTER SIX

PAINTER

The fair sucked.

Taz had shown up with Melanie at his side, and I’d spent the last two hours wandering the exhibit tents, watching them and festering, because he was doing everything he could to fuck with me.

Cockwad.

Whenever she turned away, he’d thrust his hips toward her or pretend to grab her ass. Flick his tongue. Squeeze his dick. Nothing but a damned pervert. Hunter was in on it, too, taunting me quietly whenever he had the chance. My own brothers were fucking useless. Horse just rolled his eyes, and when we finally headed into the BBQ tent for dinner, Ruger pointed out that if I didn’t have the balls to claim her, I should let it go.

God help me, if these fuckers were supposed to be my backup, I’d do better on my own. The night was fucking endless. I could give two shits about rodeo—thought it was decent entertainment, but I wouldn’t be out here if it wasn’t for Melanie. I kept trying to catch her eye, but she wouldn’t look at me. I knew she was aware, though, because she kept blushing. Probably embarrassed about last night. Fair enough . . . But the longer I watched her with Taz, the harder it was to keep my distance.

She deserved a man who was perfect, and that fucker didn’t qualify.

At least the food was good. There were a hundred different places to eat around the fairgrounds, but the BBQ had to be the best. If I needed proof I was fucked in the head, it came when I reached the line. There was a pretty little thing ahead of me who kept bumping into me “accidentally.” I’d be all over that if I weren’t completely focused on Mel, and the fact that Taz couldn’t keep his fucking hands off her.

Ten minutes later I headed toward the long tables set up outside the tent carrying a plate of ribs, potato salad, and corn bread. I found a spot at one end, where Horse sat down next to me, flanked by Marie. Ruger and his old lady, Sophie, sat across from us, leaving plenty of room for the others farther down. Soon Kit, Em, and Hunter joined us, and then Taz and Melanie sat next to them. The girls started laughing and giggling together as Jessica joined them.

She seemed to have hooked up with Hunter’s best friend, Skid. She might not be my favorite, but she deserved better than that fuckwad. Better keep an eye on her. Looking away, I caught Horse checking out Jess and Skid, too. Then he caught my gaze and we shared a wordless conversation—Jess was young. We’d both be looking out for her. Taz stood up.

“Anyone want a drink?” he asked, staring right at me. “The ladies look thirsty—thought maybe I’d buy a round.”

Oh, that asshole. He was trying to get Mel drunk again.

“I’m fine with water,” she insisted, and I bit back a smile. Suck it, cockwad. She’s onto you.

• • •

Dinner lasted way too long. Between Kit’s nonstop mouth and Taz’s little digs, I wasn’t entirely sure I’d make it through. Then everyone scattered to hit the bathrooms after we cleared our plates.