Free Fighting for Flight by Jb Salsbury Page B

words are there, but I can’t bring myself to say
them. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? I won’t be able to work
with him after suffering that kind of embarrassment. Putting myself
out there like . . . No, I need to keep my feelings private. His
friendship means too much to me. And really, what kind of chance do
I have with a guy like Jonah Slade?
    “Yeah, I just wanted to say . . .” I let go of
Blake’s arm and lean back on my lounger. “Go ahead. Jonah’s free to
date, er, um, be with whoever he wants.” Gosh, that
hurt.
    Blake studies me for a second before leaning in.
“Jonah’s a lot of things.” He looks around the pool then back at me
before sliding his sunglasses over his eyes. “But from what I’ve
seen tonight, he’s not free—at least, not anymore.”
    He struts away, acting completely unaware of the
shock-and-awe devastation he left behind. “Raven, a little later we
can play Titanic,” he calls over his shoulder. “I’ll yell ice burg
and you can go down.”
    A laugh rips from my chest, fueled by giddiness from
Blake’s admission.
    He’s not free . . . not anymore.
    Could Blake be right? Is it possible that Jonah
could be feeling the same thing I’m feeling?
    Eve comes back from the bar and sits at the spot
Blake just vacated. “Finally, he’s gone. He’s a sweet piece of eye
candy, but the second he opens his mouth . . .” She shakes her head
and takes a sip from her water bottle. “Why do you think he’s so
funny?” She points her grimace in Blake’s direction.
    “I think he’s hilarious.”
    I lie back, a face-splitting smile aching my cheeks
that has nothing to do with Blake.

Seven
    Raven
    “My woman can cook,” Owen bellows from the doorway of
the kitchen as he brings in a stack of dirty and very empty
plates.
    Nikki takes the plates from his hands and kisses him
lightly on the cheek. “Thank you, baby. Now get out of here before
I put you to work.”
    These two look like a famous Hollywood couple. Owen
has deep mocha skin and short cropped hair. His body is similar to
the others: athletic, bulky, and the perfect mix of captivating and
terrifying. His rugged masculinity is a contrast to his wife’s
caramel-colored skin, soft curves, and long, wavy hair. He gives
her a playful swat on the bottom, making her squeak and jump, her
light brown eyes sparkling.
    She drops the plates in the soapy water. “Thanks for
helping me clean up, girl. I’m usually the only other female around
that does more than stick my tits out.” She rolls her eyes at the
obvious reference to the women Blake brought with him.
    “It’s the least I could do. That was one of the best
meals I’ve had in a long time. You’re an incredible cook.” I rinse
out a huge bowl that once held a delicious fruit salad.
    “Thanks. I get a lot of practice hanging around this
group.”
    That doesn’t surprise me. The guys alone ate enough
to feed a small country. I think Jonah grilled an entire cow.
    “Nikki, where do you want me to put these?” Eve asks
from the doorway, her arms filled with more plates.
    Jonah follows behind her, a few bottles of
condiments in hand. He walks to the fridge to put them away.
    My gaze is soldered to his form, and I nearly slice
open my finger with a soapy steak knife. It shouldn’t be legal for
him to walk around without a shirt on. Reckless endangerment.
    “You girls don’t have to do this. My cleaning lady
comes in the morning.”
    “Like dealing with your dirty drawers isn’t enough,
you’re going to make that poor woman clean up after the five of
you? Uh-uh.” Nikki turns Jonah around and shoos him from the
room.
    “All right, all right, I’ll go.” He wraps Nikki in a
one-arm hug.
    She leans in with a grin.
    His eyes find mine. “But, Nik, don’t work my girl
too hard. She needs to take care of those hands. Can’t have tools
sliding from her grip because you overworked them.” He hits me with
a wink and walks away.
    Nikki chuckles. “Damn, girl.