Breach of Honor by Naomi Porter
20 Will
I ENTERED MY house, high on Miranda. Making love to her in the morning after a restful sleep, when we were both groggy and raw, was the best thing ever. Her body pressed to mine, lips softly kissing me was pure magic.
“Is that you?” Jason called from the kitchen. “Is Mousy with you?”
Rage ripped through me, a storm the size of Texas. I stalked heavy-footed into the kitchen and eyed my pathetic friend. “You make me sick. How dare you treat my girlfriend like she’s a piece of meat, you fucker!”
Jason flinched, body tense with fear in his eyes. He raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I was just screwing around with her, testing her to see if she was loyal. That’s it, nothing more.”
“Liar!” I ground my teeth. “You’ve wanted her since the club, and don’t pretend like you don’t. I see the lust in your eyes when you look at her. You better fucking stop now! Treat her with respect or we’re done!”
“So that’s how it is? A girl can come between us?”
“Damn straight!” I couldn’t believe I’d said that, but what kind of friend was Jason if he put the moves on my girl? I would never do that to him. I expected the same in return. “Just keep your sights off of Miranda, and we’ll be fine.”
“You love her.” It wasn’t a question. Jason studied me carefully. “You actually love her.”
“Yes.” I went to the fridge for a bottle of water. Admitting I loved Miranda to anyone other than her felt wrong, especially to Jason. But I wanted to wait until after the gala before I declared my love to her.
This was me being cautious, discerning as Grandfather had taught me. “Play your hand wisely,” he had told me a million times over the years.
“I’m happy for you.”
I turned around, stunned.
“Even a little jealous. She’s a great girl, a fucking goddess. But no need to end our friendship. I’ll mind my shit.”
Jason stood, extending a hand, and I shook it. “Thank you.”
He nodded, sitting back down. “I’ll be out of your hair today. I know you didn’t stay here last night because I was here. She must hate me after my little stunt in the hallway.” Jason looked remorseful. Good.
“Hate may not be the right word.”
“Nah, it fits the crime. Think she’ll ever come around to liking me?”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “How about you try being decent to her and give her time?”
“I can do that. I don’t expect to be back until the summer anyway. That should give you lovebirds plenty of time to get enamored with each other.”
“We already are.” I grinned, thinking of her naked beneath me, breathing hard as I’d drove into her this morning. My dick jumped, remembering the way she had clenched around it. “I’m pretty sure she’s the one.”
“I can see that.”
“You can?”
“Yeah, so don’t screw it up. There aren’t many like her.”
“Holy fuck, you sound like you actually mean that! Is Jason Sayton softening?” I chuckled.
“More like bowing in defeat. But don’t let your guard down, friend. If I can’t have the girl, I might find a way to steal your millions instead.” He smirked, rubbing his hand along his beard.
“Shit, money doesn’t matter to me. Miranda’s what’s important. She’s priceless.” And I meant every word. Without Miranda in my life, what good was money?
“Glad to hear it. Not all hope is lost for me, then.”
“Hey, one day you’ll meet your angel, and money won’t matter to you either.” I did hope Jason would find a woman who’d love him and his rough edges. Everybody should be loved, and I believed we all had our perfect match somewhere in the vast world.
“Nah, money will always be more important to me than anything else. But you live in the clouds with your angel.”
Jason stared at me with resolve. Maybe falling in love wasn’t something he wanted. He’d always been a player. The only serious relationship he had was with me. Even then, I hardly knew him. When we met, he was just a scrappy smartass who couldn’t afford a decent meal. I had felt bad for him back then and took him under my wing like a lost puppy.
One thing Jason had always excelled at was charming adults. Most people felt bad for him, so it surprised me Miranda felt the opposite. Then again, Jason had acted like a rabid, salivating dog around her. Of course it would set off alarms in her.
“You’ll get your big break soon, buddy.” I slapped his shoulder, a goodwill gesture.
“Yes, the tide is turning. Soon I’ll sail into the port of Los Angeles a new, wealthy man. Better watch out, I might steal your life if you’re not careful.” Jason laughed, and I joined him.
He always talked out of his ass, and nobody believed him more than himself.
