Rye is still talking. “The reporter looks at him like she thinks he’s trying to be funny and is failing miserably. But she clearly wants to give him a chance. And she says, ‘Was that an Overboard quote? It’s my favorite movie!’”

Stella bursts out laughing. “She did not.”

Rye nods. “Jax goes blank for a second and then nods, all solemn and serious, and tells her it’s his favorite movie as well. That’s all it took. Coolness restored.”

“Such is the power of Jax,” Brenna deadpans, rolling her eyes.

I lay a hand to my chest. “What can I say? My bullshit fu is strong.”

Thankfully, my friends don’t mention that I did hook up with the reporter. And the entire time, she kept asking me to do Overboard quotes. Which was really unfortunate since I never saw the movie. Awkward as hell.

I don’t regret my past. I don’t regret playing fast and loose with sex when I was younger. Overall, I’d enjoyed myself. A lot. I’m never going to be Saint John, but I now understand why Whip has said goodbye to casual sex. I’d never been myself. Never had anything real.

Unfortunately, therein lies the crux of my problem. I want sex with Stella. I want her and only her. But there are dangers with getting attached. Becoming dependent on someone is a big fucking no-no. I can’t rely on her to bring me out of my dark moods; I’ve got to do that for myself.

And it isn’t an even exchange. Stella can offer me so much. What can I offer in return? Orgasms? Sure, that’s great, but I’m realistic enough to know she can get that elsewhere—not that it wouldn’t kill me if she did. I have very little privacy, and any woman who takes up with me will have hers invaded just as badly. Maybe worse, since far too many shitheads enjoy tearing down the women famous men love.

Love. My throat goes dry and tight.

“Mate, you’re about to curdle the gravy,” Scottie points out at my elbow.

“Right.” I turn down the heat, add some more stock, and try to focus.

He gives me a sidelong look, his lips quirking, and I’m tempted to kick him. But I don’t. I finish up with a dogged determination. Despite my best effort, one ear remains attuned to Stella laughing with Sophie and Brenna as they set the table. While Rye and Whip talk my ear off about new beats, I watch her smile and flush with simple enjoyment. I drink my beer and pretend everything is business as usual.

But when we sit down for Sunday roast, I seek her out, picking the chair next to hers. My hand finds its way to the soft, smooth nape of her neck. I talk to my friends and play with the silky strands of her red-gold hair. Happily, Stella lets me, keeping very still, like she’s afraid I’ll stop.

Not bloody likely. Not when I finally get to touch her the way I’ve been dying to all along.

“Right then …” Scottie sets his silverware on his empty plate, “Brenna and I have been thinking.”

“Oh, hell,” Whip mutters.

Rye’s mouth twists in silent agreement. I don’t know if they’re bemoaning the horror that is Scottie and Brenna’s plotting in general. Or if it is something more specific. Because I’m the one Scottie is staring at.

“I thought we banned you two from using your Wonder Twin powers,” I say, resting my arm along the back of Stella’s chair.

Brenna’s little nose lifts with a sniff. “Only when used for evil.”

Rye snorts. “When you’re scheming, it’s all evil.”

“Quick, Scottie,” she says, while glaring at Rye, “I need to form into a giant water gun.”

Scottie lets out a long-suffering sigh before turning his laser eyes on me again. “I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings—”

“No, you don’t,” Whip says with cheek.

“But there’s a horde of press camped outside my office,” Scottie goes on.

“I think they should be called a murder,” Sophie says, as she bobs little Felix on her arm. “You know, like a murder of crows?”

Scottie’s lips twitch. “Apt comparison, Darling.” His expression settles back into sternness. “A murder of press has settled on Kill John’s proverbial doorstep. Brenna’s office is getting hammered with calls.”

I resist the urge to squirm, and I really don’t fucking appreciate that he’s bringing this up in front of Stella. But all I show them is a bland smile. “Then say ‘no comment’ and move on.”

Brenna blows a raspberry. “Not gonna fly, Jaxy-bear. This is one of those we need to spin it and fast type deals.”

Scottie rests his forearm on the table in an attempt to appear casual, when everything about his posture is crisp efficiency. “Just this morning, I had a woman call to say you slept with her last week, and she’s afraid she’ll be infected.”

“Bullshit. I haven’t touched anyone in months—” The words die in the air as I snap my mouth shut. Didn’t mean to admit all that.

But it’s out there, and everyone is looking at me like I have two heads.

“Well,” Brenna says, struggling, “that’s …”

“Unexpected,” Whip says before coughing “manwhore” under his breath.

I flip him off, then pin Scottie with a look. “The last woman I touched was …” I grimace.

“Ms. STD Panties?” Rye supplies.

Both Sophie and Brenna flick his ears.

“Hey!”

“Don’t shame her like that,” Sophie says. “Not with the way you go carousing.”

“Amen,” Brenna says.

Rye scowls and rubs his ears. “Can we stick to Jax’s problem?”

Brenna shoots him a repressive look but then turns serious. “We were thinking that if you were in a relationship …” Her gaze darts to Stella. “Something serious that conveys you’ve settled down.”

I jerk upright, my hand sliding from Stella’s chair. “Brenna …”

She ignores my warning. “Stella, I know this is a lot to ask—”

Alarm races up my spine. “Hold on one—”

“But would you consider posing as Jax’s girlfriend for a couple of weeks? We’d pay well.”

“Are you off your fucking nut?” I shout, pushing back from the table. The chair teeters behind me. “I just got Stella to forgive me for calling her an escort, and here you are asking her to play girlfriend for hire?”

I’m so pissed I can barely see straight. “Bloody, fucking … I am not some broken pot you need to glue back together. You don’t fix me. You had no right to trample in here and—”

“John.” Stella grabs my hand and squeezes it. From the way she says my name, I’m thinking she’s called it a few times.

The entire table is silent, my mates staring up at me with varying expressions of discomfort or shock. All but Stella, who gives me a wane smile. “It’s okay,” she says. “I know this wasn’t your idea.”

“You bet your sweet arse it wasn’t,” I snap, still shaken, then let out a breath. “Button, I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t be. They’re only trying to help.” She’s still holding my hand, and I thread my fingers through hers as I sit back down. Stella glances at a grim-faced Scottie and a pissy Brenna. “I can do it.”

“No,” I cut in, barely keeping my voice level. “Absolutely not.”