Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) by Adriana Noir Page A

peen ’ it’s not seen. Speaking of, you do realize she would jump my brother’s bones in a heartbeat.”
    “She could try , but unless there’s ruffies and restraints involved, I just don’t see that one working out in her favor.”
    “Ruffies and restraints. It sounds like a hardcore band!” Monique sniggered and let her head fall back against the headrest. “Good point. As vicious as Seb can be, I don’t think calling someone a “redheaded hose beast” is a term of endearment. Not even for him.”
    “ He didn’t!”
    “ He so did.”
    Taylor ’s mouth snapped shut and she gave a small pout. “God! I miss all of the fun stuff!”
    Her sulky declaration made them both laugh. Taylor slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the car beside them and grunted as her seat suddenly jerked backward with Irene’s weight. The potent smell of floral perfume washed over her, making her wince as the waitress propped her chin on her shoulder and grinned.
    “Ma’am, please sit back,” Rupert urged, reaching for her.
    Irene batted his hand away. “Don’t call me Ma’am. It makes me feel old, and if you’re going to put your hands on me, sugar, at least be a gentleman about it and try to make it fun for me too.”
    Taylor couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Even Monique tittered quietly beside her.
    “Now that that conversation is out of the way, what’re you two talking about up there?” Irene asked, grinning, as she gave a sharp crack of her gum.
    “ Nothing,” Monique said with a wave of her slender hand. “Just family stuff.”
    “Oh. We almost there?”
    Taylor shrugged out from under the pointy jab of her friend’s chin. “Just a few more minutes. Go ahead and go back to mauling Rupert. He’s starting to look a little lonely back there.”
    “Gee, thank you so much, Miss Taylor.” Droll sarcasm laced the guard’s Southern baritone. “It’s mighty nice of you to take my feelings under such consideration.”
    Monique stifled a laugh, her green eyes sparkling with mischief and humor. “Someone’s spunky today. I’d watch that if I were you, big guy. My brother takes as kindly to people disrespecting his fiancée as he does them touching her.”
    Rupert blanched, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to formulate an ample apology.
    “ Oh come on. I wouldn’t go quite that far, Mo,” Taylor chimed with a pleasant smile. “Besides, I think poor Rupert here can make up for it by carrying our bags later. What do you think?”
    The blonde pursed her lips and tapped them with her forefinger. “Hmm …I don’t know. I suppose so.”
    “Thank you, Ma’am,” Rupert said, his tone much more subdued. “I appreciate your kindness.”
    “You’re welcome. I do aim to please, but you better do it without complaint or all bets are off and I will tell my brother how mouthy his staff likes to get in his absence.”
    Sensing the teasing in her tone, Taylor tried her best not to ruin Monique’s charade. Instead, she plied her future sister-in-law with a questioning look.
    “Hey, my brother isn’t the only smart one in our family,” she said, settling back in her seat with a triumphant smile. “I might not be intimidating, but I’ve definitely learned to work with what I’ve got.”
    Taylor watched the statuesque beauty blow the imaginary dust off her ‘claws’ and offered a conspiring wink. “Well played, wicked one. Well played.”
     
    Tension rolled off Sebastian as he shrugged out of his overcoat and draped it over the hook in the laundry room. The alluring smell of roast beef and mushrooms wafted through the house, along with the fresh scent of lemon floor cleaner. Drawing in a deep breath, he closed his eyes, trying to latch on to some semblance of calm. He’d almost found it when the sound of approaching footsteps made him tense up again. Whirling, he regarded Taylor as she opened the door and graced him with a welcoming smile.
    Dropping onto the bench, he tugged his laces free and