Two in the Afternoon by Cora Cade Page A

brother’s direction. The woman was stunning and never seemed to be aware of the attention she garnered. Something the twins had in common.
    Without looking up from his book, Cal patted the space next to him in the booth as his sister approached. Molly had to smile; it was a dead giveaway that he was more aware of the room around him than he was letting on. He was always on high alert.
    As Lainey took her seat next to Cal, one of the waitresses approached to get her order. Molly’s attention was focused on the table across the room, and she didn’t notice when Chris approached her from behind.
    He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Who’s the hottie with Eversman?”
    Scowling over her shoulder at him, she said, “If you’d bothered to stop out at all this week, you’d know it’s his sister.”
    â€œReally? Not the flavor of the evening then?”
    â€œWhat the hell does that mean?” Instantly angry, Molly spun around and pinned him with a glare.
    He grinned, that slow seductive curve of his lips that had women dropping their panties for him on a regular basis, and said, “I knew it. I knew he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off of you.”
    â€œChris, you are such an ass.” God, now she was going to blush. “I’ll have you know I’m the only flavor he’s been sampling.”
    â€œIs that so? Then why are you still staying with me when you could be getting some every night at his place?”
    She rolled her eyes at him in response but had to admit, if only to herself, that he had a point. Cal hadn’t asked, and she didn’t want to pressure him for more than he wanted to give. He’d kept Bo without complaint and seemed to enjoy the dog, but he’d never mentioned her staying over.
    Without another word about the sleeping arrangements, they fell into an easy rhythm that kept them busy until late into the evening.
    Cal scanned the room and noticed Molly and Chris behind the bar. They had an easy companionship and worked well together. Each anticipated the other’s needs as they worked to fill orders and keep the pub running smoothly.
    The evening was slowing down, and the last of the stragglers were heading out.
    Chris was elbow deep in soapy water, working on the last of the barware, as Molly wiped the mahogany bar down one final time. When she stood and stretched, arms reaching high above her head, Chris took the opportunity to splash a bit of water her way. She gave a quick screech and dropped her hands. In a blink she was on his back, monkey style, making loud whooping noises as she pretended to strangle Chris. Her skirt was pushed to the top of her thighs, and Cal could see her black panties as Chris swung her around, trying to dislodge her from his back.
    A group of three men stood at the exit, watching the entertainment. One of them was just brave enough to leave his friends behind and step closer to where Molly and Chris were goofing around. He gave a loud wolf whistle that brought everyone’s attention to him.
    Molly slid to the floor and tugged her skirt back into place before addressing the straggler. “Sorry, fellas. We’re closed, time to go.”
    Chris stepped away to flip the full lights on, bringing a harshness to the pub that highlighted Molly’s words about closing time.
    The man was oblivious to the interest Cal had taken in his advancement. As the fool closed a hand around Molly’s wrist and tugged her against his bulk, Cal stood to intercede.
    Before he had even cleared the table Molly had jerked away from the drunk, but his grip on her wrist was still in place. She said a few low words and the man laughed before reaching for the hem of her skirt mumbling about wanting to see her panties again. Cal was going to rip that motherfucker’s hand off.
    Cal was a moment away from snatching the asshole up by the scruff of his neck when Molly leaned in closer to the