Free Flash Point by Shelli Stevens Page B

I’ll come out—”
    “Sweetheart, is Todd here?”
    At the sound of Tyson Wyatt’s voice, Ellie scowled and looked about ready to stomp her foot.
    “You should have called first,” she hissed and stepped back, opening the door. “Yes, Tyson. Your brother’s here.”
    Todd stepped into the house, not really giving a damn about Ellie’s desire to keep their talk under wraps.
    “Good,” Tyson came out of the kitchen, a dishrag slung over his arm. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
    Todd should’ve been on alert at the hard glint in his brother’s eyes, but he was too focused on Ellie’s guilty expression.
    “You slept with Kate, didn’t you?” Tyson asked with deceptive softness.
    “Umm, I’ll let you two talk,” Ellie said quickly and tried to slip away.
    “Oh no you don’t.” Todd shook his head. “I bet Ellie has quite a bit to say on this whole Kate thing, don’t you?”
    “I…”
    “There’s been talk around town about Todd leaving the party with Kate on Saturday night,” Tyson glanced down at his wife, his brows drawing into a scowl. “But, sweetheart, don’t tell me you knew about this?”
    “She not only knew about it, she helped plan it,” Todd said tersely. “I didn’t set out to seduce Kate. She seduced me.”
    “Kate seduced you ?” Tyson’s scowl deepened. “I know you, Todd, and I’m calling bullshit.”
    Ellie groaned. “No, it’s true. It’s my fault, Tyson. I should’ve talked her out of it.”
    Tyson glared at them both, before lingering on Ellie. “Seriously? Ellie, you helped her do this? Why the hell would you do that? It’s like throwing a bunny in the lion’s den. She can’t handle Todd.”
    Jesus Christ, they were acting like he was a goddamned sociopath or something.
    “I think Kate can handle a helluva lot more than you guys think,” he muttered, thinking of she was all over Walt this afternoon.
    But Ellie and Tyson seemed to be in their own conversation now. “Tyson, she was determined and she would’ve done it without my help anyway.”
    Todd gave a harsh laugh. “Yeah, she would’ve. She had a goal and she made damn sure she accomplished it.”
    Ellie’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? She told you about that?”
    I figured it was a good opportunity to check that sleep with a firefighter fantasy off my list . Her words flickered through his head, making something curdle in his stomach.
    He gave a small nod. “Yeah. She did.”
    “Told him what?” Tyson demanded.
    Todd hesitated, not really wanting to air the truth aloud. It was offensive enough in his head.
    “Ellie,” Tyson’s voice sharpened. “What did she tell him?”
    Ellie groaned and then muttered, “That she was a virgin.”

Chapter Ten
    Todd heard the words, but it took a second before they sank in. There was a roaring in his ears as every muscle in his body went taut.
    What the fuck?
    “Say that again?” he said unsteadily, taking a step toward her.
    Ellie’s eyes went wide. “Shit! You said she told you.”
    “ That is not what she told me.”
    Jesus Christ. Kate had been a virgin? A fucking virgin ? He turned away, thrusting a hand through his hair as his stomach took a huge nosedive.
    “Oh for God’s sake, you can’t tell me this is a surprise,” Tyson snapped. “Damn it, Todd, have you been living under a rock?”
    Todd bit his tongue before he snarled at his brother to shove it where the sun didn’t shine.
    No, he hadn’t fucking known. Though apparently he should’ve. Kate had always seemed a bit innocent, but that night she’d thrown him off balance. Sexy outfit, coming on to him like he was the last guy on earth. All with Ellie’s help, no doubt. But it had all been an act. His skilled little seductress had been anything but skilled. Kate had been a virgin.
    It made sense. How tight she’d been, the slight look of pain in her eyes when he’d entered her. And he’d been a selfish idiot, brushing it off as the size of his dick.
    Nausea and