+ Excerpt +

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"Who's that?" Mac tipped his head toward the entrance way where my best friend since childhood, Dash, stood in a suit. I wasn't used to seeing him in anything other than his sheriff's uniform or casual clothes for our adventurous outings. 

The thing that caught my eyes was the woman whose hand curled around the crook of his elbow. She wore a red wraparound dress that showcased voluptuous breasts and curvy hips. She was dynamite. 

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Her red lips made me think of them wrapped around my dick as she knelt on the floor at my feet. "Is that—?"

But Dash had already stopped in front of us. "You remember my sister, Scarlett?"

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"Your sister, Scarlett." The last time I'd seen her, she'd been a lanky teenager with all angles and a sharp mouth. When had she grown into a gorgeous woman? 

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Her red lips curved into a smile. "Elijah Wilde. So good to see you."

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I couldn't say it was good to see her because my heart was pounding and my dick was hyper aware of her. This woman was a siren, but she was my best friend's younger sister. "Can't say the same."

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My brother Oliver elbowed me, then hissed, "Behave." I was known for being a bit of an asshole but not usually to family and close friends. 

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Scarlett tipped her head to the side. "I see you haven't changed."

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When I was in high school, I was as wild as my last name. I played rough-and-tumble sports, partied hard, and in general, had a good time. Then I went to college and did more of the same. 

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Grades came easily for me, so I didn't have to take anything too seriously. Not until my parents handed over the reins of the ski resort. Then everything came into sharp focus. Nothing mattered except expanding my family's legacy.

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I narrowed my eyes on her, but before I could say a word, Xander approached wearing a button-down shirt open at the collar and slacks. He refused to wear a suit. "Well, if it isn't the gorgeous Scarlett St. Clair."

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He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, and it took everything inside of me not to stop him. 

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I shouldn’t be jealous of my younger brother who walked around the grounds as if he didn't have a care in the world because he didn't. He was in charge of winter activities, charming female guests, and he did a great job of that. Now he'd set his sights on Scarlett. "Xander," I said by way of warning.

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"Relax, Elijah." Then to Scarlett, he flashed his signature playboy smile. "Will you dance with me?"

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She smiled, and it was softer and less calculating than the one she'd flashed at me earlier. "I'd love to."

Xander led the way onto the dance floor, her hand tucked in his elbow. 

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Scarlett shot one sultry look over her shoulder at me. 

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Oliver nodded toward the dance floor. "You're going to let that happen?" 

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Dash shook his head. "Scarlett will chew him up and spit him out. She's a firecracker. I gave up interfering in her dating life a long time ago.”

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It caused him and their parents pain that Scarlett left at eighteen on the back of some guy's motorcycle. She had no interest in school or getting a nine-to-five. The last I heard, she was traveling around the country with some theater group. "She home for a while?"

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Scarlett threw her head back, laughing at something Xander said. 

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"He's always had a way with the ladies," Oliver murmured, and I grunted in response. 

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I shouldn't care that Scarlett was having a good time with my brother. Even if I liked her, which I didn't, she'd be off-limits. Her brother was not only my friend but the town's sheriff. I wouldn't touch her, no matter how much I was thinking about untying that bow at her waist to see if it was the only thing holding up that dress.

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"No one can tell Scarlett what to do," Dash said, leaning against the bar. "My parents are just happy she's home."

"She hasn't said?" I asked him, tipping my glass toward my lips.

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Dash shook his head. "My parents are afraid to ask her what she's doing with her life or what her plans are. The more you push her—"

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"The quicker she leaves." I remembered the drama surrounding Scarlett over the years. When she was home, the entire St. Claire family catered to her. I wasn't overly fond of her antics, or the mess she inevitably left behind.

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Scarlett hooked her arms around Xander's neck.

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My jaw ached from clenching my teeth. I forced myself to look away. Why did the first woman who'd turned my head in what seemed like forever be Dash's younger sister? 

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She was a wild child, a free spirit, didn't have a care in the world. She was my dream girl. Unfortunately, she was also off-limits.

I wouldn't mess with my best friend's sister. I wasn't that big of an asshole. I was loyal to my family, and those who close, Dash was included in that. 

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"I'd appreciate it if you guys could keep an eye on her if you see her around town.”

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"Are you saying your sister needs a keeper?" I asked him.

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"Fuck no. And don't tell her I said anything.”

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I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I've got your back. I won't let anyone mess with her, including my brother."

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"I'm not worried about Xan. He's too nice for Scarlett. She likes her men rough around the edges if you know what I mean." Dash leaned on the bar, waving the bartender over to us. 

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My mind paused on the word “rough.” I was sure my friend wouldn’t approve of the dirty thoughts I was having about his sister.