Damaged and the Dragon (Damaged #5)

“Who cares?” Cooper said. “It’s what he wants. Sounds like a nice safe life for our little sister, don’t you think?”


Tucker’s expression froze and his dopey brain took awhile to put things together. By the time he figured it out, I’d rolled a gutter ball, Bailey returned, and Vaughn declared his wife a cheater.

“It’s only fair!” Raven cried as Vaughn threw her over his shoulder and spun her around. “You’re a better bowler and I want to win. Cheating was the only card I could play.”

“Making me think some fucker was looking at your ass was low, Raven.”

“So is naming our first born son Maverick. You’re just looking for trouble with a name like that.”

Vaughn lowered her to her feet then grinned. “My boys will be nothing but trouble. They’ll own this town and chase pretty girls like Scarlet and Lily.”

“Hey, keep your pervy kid away from my daughter!” Tucker hollered, looking pissed.

Cooper grabbed his brother and they wrestled onto the ground. By the end of pounding each other, they were both laughing. Watching them, I imagined having such an easy way with another guy. All my life men intimidated me. Even when they were weak like Danny Boy, I didn’t trust them and never lowered my guard.

Bailey glanced at where my ball returned to me then she smiled awkwardly.

“Having fun?”

“Not really,” I said, leaning down to kiss her neck. “When I agreed to bowl, I thought I would see you bending over more. You can’t imagine my disappointment.”

Bailey grinned. “I will make it up to you.”

Her hair looked shiny in the dull light of the alley. My fingers tingled and I lifted my hand without thinking. Bailey’s gaze softened as I ran my fingers through the soft strands.

“I’m sorry my brothers are hassling you.”

“They’re fine,” I murmured while my fingers moved to her warm skin. “I’ve never been on display like this and it makes me edgy. I don’t want to lose you.”

Bailey’s eyes widened just a hint in response to my words. Or maybe she heard the need behind them. I wanted her so badly everything else disappeared in comparison.

“You guys want to get a pizza?” Tucker asked loudly.

Stepping back, I hated looking away from Bailey, but we were surrounded. Farah walked over and smiled.

“You can have them put up the bumpers, if you want?”

Cooper joined us quickly. “What are we talking about?”

“Bumpers,” Bailey said, walking over to Vaughn

I looked at Farah’s bump. “How is Lark?”

“Not great. She’s on bed rest and going bananas stuck at home.”

“Hey, eyes up here,” Cooper growled when I looked at Farah’s bump for too long.

Farah looked embarrassed, but I just grinned. “That’s a nice bump she’s got there.”

“Asshole,” Cooper said in a low threatening voice.

I couldn’t help laughing. “Dating your sister. Not interested in your wife. Are any of these things sinking in?”

Farah smiled while Cooper didn’t know what to do with his anger.

“The baby is kicking,” Farah said and Cooper’s gaze focused on her bump. “Lily is quite a badass. Just like her daddy.”

With those few words, Cooper lost his anger and knelt down to kiss the bump.

“My girl is going to beat the shit out of everyone.”

Grinning, Farah rolled her eyes. “I don’t know about that.”

“Oh, she’ll be a powerful chick.”

Watching Cooper talk to his unborn daughter, I understood the look he wore the night he visited me in the hospital. Back then, I thought he was afraid I’d press charges. Fear wasn’t something I thought I’d see on Cooper Johansson. I never thought I’d hear him apologize either. That night, both happened.

Now I realized he didn’t fear the law. He feared losing Farah. The guy might be an asshole, but he really loved her.

Bailey returned wearing a smile. “I had him put up the bumpers for us.”

“Thanks,” I said, leaning down to kiss her head. “I’m looking forward to watching you bowl.”

Grabbing my bowling ball, Bailey walked to the lane then bent over and wiggled her butt. Turning around to wink at me, she looked genuinely happy to find me smiling. Her earlier anxiety gone, she rolled a gutter ball saved by the bumper. Once the ball took out two pins, Bailey jumped up and down. I knew she was showing off those new tits, but I only saw her smile. It lit up the whole place.

For the rest of the evening, I ate pizza, rolled would be gutter balls, laughed at Vaughn’s jokes, and waited to be alone with Bailey.

My body craved her even before she wrapped her arms around me as we rode to my place. In the warm evening, our skin grew damp with sweat. Though I desperately wanted a shower, I wanted Bailey more.