Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

I liked Polly. I had nothing against her. But if she ruined this scarily brilliant thing between me and Vesper, I wouldn’t hesitate to rip into her.

My hands fisted as Polly tore her gaze from Hippo and felt my wrath.

Vesper cleared her throat, “Ry, don’t. It’s not—”

Cocking her chin, Polly shoved Vesper between the shoulder blades, directly into my embrace. “Hug the damn man, Vessie. I know you’re banging uglies and I know those disgusting things called emotions are flying every which way.” She smiled softly. “And I’m glad. I want to watch what true love looks like. Then I have a completed exam to cheat from when I’m next tested by douche bags.”

Vesper and I froze.

True love.

Holy fuck. Was this it? Was this where we admitted the big, looming, badly concealed but-not-yet-verbalised secret?

“Ves, I—” I choked.

“So, this must be the ball crusher?” Rupert stole the moment by strolling to the door and leaning against it, effectively blocking the entrance but saving me a shit load of anxiety.

Slipping into host, I waved at Ves. “This is the woman I’m panting over, yes. Ves meet my annoying slightly deranged brother, Rupert Carson.”

“Pleasure.” Vesper stuck out her hand, a smile already on her lips. Everyone smiled when they met Rupe. He had that way about him. He was brash and frankly rather scary but his grin was infectious and there was softness in his eyes that instantly put people at ease no matter their age, race, or gender.

“Pleasure is all mine.” Rupert kissed the back of her hand.

“Okay, okay, no pleasure. Pleasure when it comes to Ves belongs to me and only me.” Tugging Vesper into the house, I waved at Polly who still had Hippo sniffing round her legs. “And this is Polly Dartford, Vesper’s business partner and friend.”

“That’s best friend.” Polly tilted her head, eyeing up Rupert. “And I see you’re the better-looking brother. With bigger muscles which works if Ryder ever gets out of line with my bestie and needs an ass kicking.”

Rupert laughed. “And how do you know I wouldn’t kick Vesper’s ass for hurting my little bro?”

“Because you’re as much as an outsider to their love nest as I am but we love them and will mess them both up if they let anything stupid break up what they have.” Polly gave Vesper a secretive smile.

They shared a conspiring look.

And then, it was gone.

What the hell happened last night?

I needed to get Vesper alone. I didn’t do well with curiosity. But while two was company, four was a crowd, and I doubted getting her alone anytime soon would be easy.

All I could do was open up my house and hope to hell Vesper confided in me when we had a chance.

And that she doesn’t dump me.

Rupe once again went above and beyond, proving he was a kind-hearted bear beneath the expensive cut of his cargos and white t-shirt. He held out his arm. “Well, seeing as we’re both outsiders in this love fest, what do you say we share embarrassing stories about our respective loves and plot a way to make them cringe later?”

Polly glanced at Vesper.

Vesper opened her mouth. “Maybe we should all just stick to—”

“You know what? That sounds like a great idea. Time for a little pay back.” Polly boldly looped her hand through Rupert’s arm. “I’ve been hearing far too many sweet and sinful things the past few weeks. Time to mix it up a bit.”

“You been sharing our dirty secrets, Ves?” I poked her side.

“What? No way,” she blustered. “I’m a vault.”

“A vault who has a thing for collars apparently.” Polly giggled. “Watch out, Ryder. I’m judging. I know what you guys get up to.”

“You know about the collar?” I slapped my forehead. “Geez, I wish you girls wouldn’t share everything.”