Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

DEAN

Sex with Gemma had been both tender and primal. The rawest experience of his life, but what would it mean for them?

She wasn’t a buckle bunny from the rodeo. This was Parker’s little sister . Dean couldn’t just throw the condom away, put his pants on, and head out. He cared about her in a way he’d never had about anyone before.

Yes, he’d been in relationships. He’d loved—in a way, but nothing like Gemma. This was really fucking complicated.

This wasn’t the time to think about it. When they were clothed, breathing normally, and not covered in honey, they could have a rational discussion.

Hell, she might want nothing from him. Wasn’t it her joke before about him going back out on the circuit? Maybe she wanted a one-time thing. He sure as shit wasn’t one to judge something like that.

But what did he want?

“What the fuck?” The angry voice boomed, drawing both his and Gemma’s attention.

Reflexively, Dean gripped her closer against him, as though to shield her beautiful assets from view.

“You fucking asshole!” Park barreled forward and grabbed the back of the shirt Dean still wore, dragging him off Gemma.

“Parker!” Gemma shrieked. “Stop!”

Pain exploded in Dean’s cheek as Parker landed a punch. Another hit his gut. Dean doubled over as the air left his lungs.

“She’s my fucking sister.”

“Parker!” Gemma continued to wail.

Dizzy, Dean couldn’t collect his bearings. He swung defensively, but missed.

Parker landed another blow to his ribs.

Dean toppled over to ground and pulled his knees up to the fetal position. His best friend’s weight landed on top of him.

“Get off him!”

“You son of a bitch.” Covering his head and getting himself into a tight ball was Dean’s only defense. He hoped Parker would tire himself out as a flurry of punches landed against his sides.

Eventually, it stopped.

“What were you thinking?” Parker accused.

“Excuse me?” Gemma challenged.

“Get some damn clothes on.”

Cautiously, Dean uncoiled himself. Parker had handed Gemma her pants. That wasn’t a bad idea. Dean reached for his own. Talking this out with his dick dangling was a bad idea.

“What are you even doing here?” Gemma demanded as she stuffed one foot and then the other into her leggings.

Dean quickly did the same and yanked his jeans up his legs.

“I came to fix your honey thing like you’ve been begging me to do.”

“Bullshit,” she snarled. “You knew Dean was here.”

“I only wanted to help,” Dean said.

Parker whirled and glared at him. “And you helped yourself to fucking my sister? How exactly did that repair her machine?”

“Hello!” Gemma snapped her fingers. “I had a say in all this. It was my choice.”

“He’s a fuck boy, Gemma.”

“What the hell?” Dean gaped at his friend.

“He doesn’t give a shit about you. He was just horny. Did he tell you about his coffee date this morning with Daphne Rhodes?”

It was so quick, Dean almost missed it, but Gemma twitched. A flash of pain crossed her features, but she steeled quickly.

“What makes you think I give a fuck about him?” She raised her brows. “I’m a grown ass woman who has sexual needs, too. Maybe I wanted to get laid for the sake of getting laid?”

“He’s going to leave town the first chance he gets,” Parker said.

“Good.” Gemma jutted her chin in the air. “Then I won’t have to worry about him sniffing around for seconds.”

“I should go,” Dean interrupted them.

The two of them glared at him with icy eyes. Yep. He was definitely person-non-grata with the Claytons.

“Pay your invoice,” Gemma demanded. “I need to get a new extractor so I can have honey for the fair.”

Dean snatched his tool belt off the ground. “Okay.”

As he ducked out of the shed, the siblings continued to bicker back and forth. He hung his head and scuffed his feet as he walked to his truck. He wasn’t sure what he wanted out of Marshall, but it seemed Marshall didn’t want him.

Maybe the circuit was the only place for him.