Chapter 40
Viola set the Glock down, still buzzing from adrenaline, her pulse racing from the mix of training and Mack's close, heated touches. Mack's arm remained around her waist, holding her like she might vanish if he let go.
One of his friends, Hyde, stepped forward with a smirk, wiping sweat from his brow. "You two killing it over here? Thought maybe after all that shooting, we could celebrate a little. Drinks on the range. Casual. Relax a bit."
Mack's jaw tightened. "Drinks?" he repeated, gaze flicking between Viola and his friend. "You mean you want to stare while we sip?"
Hyde laughed. "No, come on. Just a few beers. You earned it, Mack. Vi too."
Mack's hand brushed Viola's lower back possessively, and he leaned in close enough for her to feel the heat from his body. "We'll see," he murmured in her ear. "But remember… eyes on me. Only me."
Viola shivered, biting her lip. "You really don't share, huh?"
"Not a chance," he growled, his fingers pressing just a little more firmly into her waist. "You're mine for tonight. That includes drinks."
She laughed softly, a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "You sound like a jealous boyfriend."
"Good. I am," he said, dark and certain. "And tonight, I'm showing you exactly how much I mean it."
Hyde clapped him on the shoulder, shaking his head. "Come on, don't scare her off before the first drink. Relax, Mack."
Mack finally released his grip just enough to let Viola breathe, though his gaze never left her as they walked toward the small table Hyde had set up at the edge of the range. Beer bottles glinted in the late afternoon sun, the scent of gunpowder still in the air.
Viola couldn't help but grin. "This is… kind of wild. I'm at a shooting range, drinking with your friends, and you're still staring at me like I might run away."
He leaned down close, lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Good. I like knowing I have your attention… and that you're exactly where I want you."
Her stomach fluttered as she realized just how intoxicating his possessiveness could be. She sat down across from him, Hyde pouring a bottle for her with a teasing smile.
"Cheers," he said, holding up his bottle. "To new skills, and surviving Mack's training without losing your mind."
Viola laughed, clinking her bottle against his. "To surviving Mack."
Mack smirked, watching her sip, the glint in his eyes making her pulse quicken. Even with friends around, even in a casual setting, the tension between them simmered, hot and electric. Viola laughed at something Hyde said, leaning back in her chair, letting her hair tumble over her shoulder. Mack's gaze never wavered, dark and steady, tracking her every movement.
"You're smiling a lot," he murmured, voice low enough for only her to hear. He leaned forward, one arm bracing the table, the other resting dangerously close to her thigh. "Are you enjoying yourself… or just trying to make me jealous?"
Viola swallowed, her pulse spiking. "Maybe a little of both," she admitted, teasing back. "You look ridiculously jealous, by the way."
"I'm not jealous," he said smoothly, though the subtle tighten of his jaw betrayed him. "I'm protective."
"Right," she whispered, pretending to sip her beer while secretly burning from the heat of his gaze.
Hyde chuckled, giving them a look. "You two are so obvious. Just admit it."
Mack leaned in closer, fingers brushing against hers as he rested his hand on the table. "Obvious is fine," he said, lips close to her ear. "I don't care who sees. You're mine tonight. Everyone can watch all they want."
Viola shivered, trying to focus on her bottle, but the warmth from his touch traveled straight through her, making her knees weak. She laughed nervously. "You really know how to make a girl feel… trapped."
"Good," he murmured, tracing the back of her hand with his thumb. "Because I never plan on letting you go."
Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "You're insane."
"And yet, here you are, still sitting with me," he countered, leaning back just enough to flash a cocky grin. "You like it. Admit it."
She rolled her eyes, but the blush spreading across her cheeks betrayed her. "Maybe… a little."
Mack's eyes darkened with desire, possessive and intent. "A little won't be enough, Vi. Not for me. Not for how much I want you."
Hyde whistled, trying not to laugh. "Okay, that's enough flirting for one day, Mack."
Mack ignored him, sliding his chair a fraction closer so that their knees touched under the table. He caught her gaze, and the heat between them was undeniable. "You should know," he whispered, voice low and dangerous, "tonight, nothing in this world—friends, guns, or beer—matters more than you."
Viola's breath hitched, and she almost choked on her sip of beer. "You're infuriating," she muttered.
"And you're irresistible," he countered, lips just inches from hers, teasing and claiming at the same time. "I hope you remember that."