Prologue

The humof really good champagne and the thumping of techno music pulse through me as a hand circles my waist. My date…Leo Kincaid.

Leo is the sort of rich that could make a girl conveniently forget all her principles, coupled with his good looks, I didn’t hesitate when he asked me out. Now, it’s our third date and his hands have been all over me tonight.

We’re at one of the clubs his family owns. The lights flash, spinning in way that makes my head spin too. I sway a bit and Leo pulls me close, his body pressing to mine. I can’t help it, I stiffen away.

I’m no good at this. I hate conflict, it’s never been my thing. And, in my defense, I have no dating experience to fall back on. Which means tonight is a double whammy of I don’t know what to do.

I’m not so na?ve, that I don’t get what he wants. I’m just not sure how to tell him that I don’t think I’m giving it to him. I’ve never been with any man before, I’m a virgin, and this is moving so fast.

Maybe it’s because I’m older. Twenty and dating men, not boys.

But also, rich and handsome does not equal patient. Even I know that.

I came from a nowhere Nebraska town that is filled with nothing but cornfields, I swear, and moving to Las Vegas to attend UNLV has been an adjustment. It was easy to resist the farm boys. Even with all their muscles, they were just that…boys. And I wasn’t too tempted by the frat boys either. They were everywhere and seemed all the same to me. Besides, I had a scholarship to keep.

And my dad, he got my mom pregnant when they were both really young. My mom left and my dad raised me on his own. He made me promise not to give myself to someone until I was ready. Until it felt right.

When he died, that was like a mantra. Save myself for the right guy…

So I’ve put off having sex because I hadn’t met the one. And at some point, it became easier not to date at all then to try and explain.

But Leo Kincaid came into the bar that I work at, Rebel’s, and he had that swagger. More man than I’ve ever seen. When he asked me out, I said yes. And I felt pretty good about it. All my friends had had sex. It was time. Wasn’t it? I felt pretty sure about the decision.

That was until I met his brother…

Last night we went to Leo’s family home for dinner. I was surprised that’s where he was taking me for a second date. But he told me that after his dad’s death, he and his brothers were super tight. One more thing we had in common, no parents.

I was excited to meet his brothers, and introducing me to the family felt like a sign that he was kind of serious about me too.

All three Kincaid brothers were there. They have a sister too, but she’s away at school.

I met Leo’s youngest brother first. Roman Kincaid is a few years older than me, practically a frat boy himself. Not interesting at all.

And then Leo spun me around to his older brother and the head of the Kincaid family. Mason Kincaid.

Mason is a king. I don’t know how I know this, I just do. It’s in every line of his powerful body, the cut of his jaw, the glint in his eye. I kept my eyes down all dinner, barely speaking to keep from staring, and to keep Leo from noticing. I was completely and instantly in lust with his brother. All the while Leo’s hand was climbing up my thigh. Awkward, I know…

Only Mason could outshine Leo, but I can’t continue to date Leo when the attraction to his brother pulses though me like some kind of brand.

Now we’re on our third date and three glasses of champagne in, I’m trying to work up the nerve to tell Leo that this isn’t going happen. He doesn’t strike me as the sort of man who’s used to hearing the word no.

I drain my glass and push away from his hard chest. The club has some random name I can’t remember, which isn’t like me at all. I think it might be Temptation, but I can’t say for certain. I know the Kincaids own it, like half of these kind of places on the strip. Usually, details are my thing. But tonight, I’m nervous and I can’t seem to keep anything in my head.

Leo catches my arm and pulls me back into his embrace. “Come on, babe.”

And then his hand snakes around my waist, crushing my belly to his.

“Leo,” I start, trying to infuse my voice with some sort of authority. Disapproval at least.

“We’re having a good time,” he says, sliding his hand over my ass.

“No,” I say, looking away. Because I’m not and the alcohol isn’t making this any easier. I thought I could loosen up, let go. The few guys I’ve dated all ended up calling me a prude, and maybe I am. But I’ve just never really wanted them. But you can’t tell a guy like Leo, Sorry, you’re just not doing it for me.

Because that’s the thing about being really into details. I notice them all. Dirt under the fingernails, weak set to the jaw, twitches that betray confidence as false. An awkward walk, a nervous twitch… And once I see these little things that betray confidence as false, I can’t unsee them.

And that’s when I catch a set of eyes across the room. Mason. Our gazes lock, my lips parting in a gasp.

My body starts to hum in a way I’ve never felt before, like tendrils of electricity sparking all through me.

Casually leaning against the bar, he still conveys the sort of power that has my mouth going dry as my gaze moves down the long, hard length of him and then back up to his eyes.

And then he’s off the bar and moving toward us, our gazes still locked. I can barely breathe as he stalks closer.

His body has the natural sway of a lion crossing the savannah, or some other supreme predator that I can’t think of because my brain has ceased working. An ache starts between my legs.

Leo’s hand grasps my elbow, his body moving close to mine, as his lips come to my ear. “We should get out of here.”

I don’t answer, unable to look away, unable to form words. He gives my elbow a tug, causing me to lose my balance in the heels I’m wearing. My dress is knee length, I was going for less available with the length, but it keeps me from being able to widen my stance and I’m falling before I can correct.

Another hand grabs my waist and just like that, I’m straight again. I’m tall for a woman but I’m craning my neck, my chin lifting as I meet Mason’s gaze again.

He’s even better up close. The jaw, the cheekbones, the slash of his brows and the perfect tousled wave of his dark hair.

There is a slight crook in his nose, but it doesn’t come off as a flaw. No, it only makes him look more masculine.

His hand is still at my waist as he quirks a single brow. “Shorter heels next time?”

I know it’s not the heels but the alcohol, but I only give a nod. “Thank you,” I murmur, licking my lips in my nervousness.

“My pleasure,” he answers, his eyes locked on my tongue. I quickly pull it back in my mouth, heat climbing up my throat.

“What do you want, Mason?” Leo sounds pissed. Can’t say I blame him. I haven’t been able to tear my eyes away from his brother. It’s the reason I need to find some strength and end this date.

“I want you to take Charlotte and go.”

“Where?”

“Anywhere,” Mason answers, an ominous note creeping into his voice. “Just not here.”

“Why?”

But Mason doesn’t get a chance to answer. From behind us the lights flicker and then a blast like a gunshot fills the air.

In a second, I’m crushed to Mason’s chest, my body wrapped in his powerful arms. A scream escapes my lips as I burrow into him.

“Close your eyes,” Mason whispers in my ear. Or is he yelling? The noise around is deafening. “And don’t open them.”

I do as he commands, not asking why in this moment, just glad for the protection of his large, powerful frame.

“What the fuck was that?” Leo bellows at his brother.

“Trouble,” Mason answers. “Keep those eyes closed, Charlotte.” And then I’m being lifted into his arms. He’s warm and solid and so strong, he’s like a port in a storm and I absolutely curl into him.

But the comfort of his body doesn’t last long. “Take her,” he says to Leo, “Go to my limo and wait for me there.”

“What are you going to do?” Leo asks, taking me from his brother’s arms.

“I’m going to clean up this mess,” Mason answers. “And Charlotte, don’t forget to keep those eyes closed. You’re far too beautiful to be one more detail we have to clean up.”

My blood runs cold as Leo carries me out of the club.