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"None of your business," she hissed "You promised to leave me alone"

Sawyer stared at his friend with hard eyes "Cal each other, and she made it clear she’s available"

"This is Michael’s sister, for Christ’s sake"

"So? She is also a beautiful woman who chooses her own lovers I think she has "

His hand shot out and grabbed Sawyer by the collar "I’ kill you"

Sawyer had no ti out and she launched herself at Max, shoving hiht," she yelled "Leave us alone"

"Carina, you have no idea what you’re doing" He shook Sawyer in a lih" Suddenly, Saas free and stepped out of Max’s line of fire "Carina, darling, please sit here for a ht back I need to talk to Max"

"But--"

"Please"

Shaking with pent-up eave a jerky nod and sat down on the nearest stool She watched Sawyer drag hih for hi to anyone else The sick game they’d played over the past fewpassed Another She watched the crowd lose themselves in the music and jumped up from her seat Screw Max Screyer Screw the to dance

Carina pushed herself onto the floor and gave herself up to the music

• • •

Max was used to dealing with a range of eh to learn the truth about his father, he experienced wrenching anger Black, coiling fury that twisted his insides and choked hith So, he used his youth to h so that his father would eventually seek hiain, he experienced the bitter taste of defeat, grief, and a desire for revenge

Nothing compared to the moment he’d seen Carina in Sawyer’s arms

He followed Sawyer to his private table, where the scent of Carina still lingered in the air His fingers flexed and he panted like a boxer going a dozen rounds, refusing to succu with Carina?"

Sawyer slare "The only reason you were able to touch ain"

"You have no right to touch her, and I can kick your ass as well as I did ten years ago"

A touch of a smile curved Sawyer’s lips "Ah, I remember that But I was drunk at the time You won the wo This time, I think you are too late"

Max paced the room in an effort not to jump him and beat the shit out of his old friend "Listen up She’s an innocent, and Michael’s younger sister If you touch her, he’ll fly here in a heartbeat andhell"

Saaved his hand in dismissal "I’m not so easily cowed if I see a woive her up? I made sure to question your relationship and she told ether"

"Of course I’m not with her! I’d never betray Michael or fuck up her life You’re into a different lifestyle, Sawyer, stuff way over her head She deserves better than you or me She needs a committed relationship"

Sawyer studied hih the bullshit and hitting the core "Carina never stated she wanted so term In fact, it see the dominant partner in your sex life Why are my choices so different?"

"It’s not all about power and sex with in!"

"Why are you so afraid of her virginity? I think you’re er at him "Have you really looked at her? As soon as I took control she practically melted in my hands She has submissive tendencies and will do best with a dominant lover, someone to push her boundaries I normally like a woman who’s a bitat the seaht man"