I ignored the compulsion to tug on my tie. The damn thing was uncomfortable. Everything was uncomfortable. But this was JJ and Jonas’s rehearsal dinner, and I needed to suck it up. So instead, I clutched my club soda and tried to plant a smile on my face and at least look like I was having a good time.

Who in the world had their rehearsal dinner two weeks before the wedding anyway? People who saved other people for a living and had clients. This was the only date that worked for everyone to attend… Yes, even me. JJ had insisted even though I’d tried to back out.

Fair enough, it wasn’t the worst thing I’d ever done. Everyone was happy. Jonas and JJ were getting a practice round on the dance floor before the big event. And any second now, we’d all start screaming at the pair of them to, “Get a room.”

Izzy was in Noah’s arms, clapping her little chubby hands, giggling and cooing, slapping her father in the face. Noah, he looked well pleased about it. This was what it was all about. And as far as I was concerned, this was about as good as it was ever going to get. Another Blake Security couple married off.

Then why aren’t you happy?

Okay yeah, the crowd was a problem. JJ had a lot of friends. So. Many. Friends. So many people. And honestly, so did Jonas from his old life. He was that kind of guy. Affable, people liked him. So, the bar was crowded and I was extremely uncomfortable, but for Jonas and JJ, I could suffer through. Besides, I’d already tried to make my escape once. JJ caught me and pretty much put the guys on Matthias-doesn’t-get-to-leave watch. So yeah, I’m stuck. And honestly, JJ was terrifying. She was such a little slip of a thing. She might look like a Barbie doll, but she had a mouth. Wow! She could even make me blush with the things she said.

“So, bride or groom?”

I frowned and turned to face the woman to my left. Wow… She was something. Wild red hair, standing several inches up and then spilling over her back and shoulders. How did she get it to do that?

It wasn’t just her hair that was big and in your face. Her massive tits were on display. And her face was extra decked-out, like those YouTube videos where women spent an hour doing their makeup. It was a shame too, because given her bone structure, she was probably gorgeous. But she’d overdone it. And the dress she was wearing – too much. First of all, she had worn white. I thought that was taboo or something. And the scrap of handkerchief was short, low cut.

She cocked her head and lifted a brow, and then I remembered, yes, she’d asked me a question.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

She grinned. “Bride or groom?”

I frowned. Clearly, I was neither. “I’m not the bride or the groom.”

She giggled. The sound probably should have been pleasant but instead was more like breaking glass. Then she reached out and squeezed my forearm. “Oh my God, you are so funny. You’re hilarious. I’m Amber. Who are you?”

I slid my gaze down to where her hand lay on my forearm and willed her to remove it. It wasn’t that I didn’t like touching, it was just that – okay, I didn’t like touching. The only person I didn’t mind touching me, honestly, was Izzy. She felt safe to snuggle. And clearly she would never attempt to hurt me, except for the constant wetting her nappy when I was holding her. But honestly, she was a baby. She couldn’t help that. But other people touching me, that felt… uncomfortable.

Apparently, Amber here didn’t seem to get the subtle ‘back off’ signals.

“I’m Matthias,” I said and then slowly shifted so she was no longer touching me.

Unfortunately, she took my shift as an invitation for her to step even closer. Her perfume was strong, and sweet, with a spicy after taste of sorts that lingered a little too long. She was close enough that her breasts brushed my chest, and I had to hold my breath so as not to get too much of her perfume.

“God, you’re British too. I fucking love a Brit. It’s the accent. It’s so sexy.”

I couldn’t help the eye roll, it sort of just happened.

“Yeah well, I think there’s this mate of Jonas’s who’s here too. His name is Evan or something. He’s British.” Yes, I knew that in the game department, I was blowing this. But honestly, was I supposed to try it on with this one? She was too tarted-up for me.

Most men didn’t mind obvious.

Yeah well, I wasn’t most men. And, as it turned out, Amber wasn’t most women. She certainly didn’t take the hint and stepped even closer. The scent of her perfume was enough to choke me.

“I met Evan earlier, but he’s not as cute as you are. So, Matthias, what do you say you meet me upstairs and you show me exactly why they say, ‘Just lie back and think of England.’ I’m so curious to know.”

I blinked at her. What was she on about?

And then she reached for my hand and placed hers inside my open palm along with something hard and plastic. Only then did she brush by me and whisper, “See you in a minute.”

As she sauntered away, I couldn’t help but glance back at her. Oh come on, zero ass! Look, I’m not saying she had to have a big one. But at least, some ass. She was going to be disappointed when I didn’t join her. I leaned over to speak to the bartender. “Oy, mate, the red head who just left, she’s going to come down here in about 30 minutes to an hour, and she’s going to want to know what happened to me. I’m going to beg you not to tell her and then give her back her key, would you?”

The bartender chuckled low. “Oh you mean, Amber. Consider yourself lucky you escaped unharmed. I’ve heard she’s a monster in bed.”

That was the last thing I needed. One monster in the bed was enough. Thanks.

“Yeah, I’m just not feeling it mate. Good on you.” I slid the key over to him, and then I looked for an exit. Clearly, I was no good at the flirting and drinking bit. Besides, I figured someone should go and check on the security system at home anyway.

Bullshit, you’re running away.

And what if I was? I would never admit it to anyone who asked. Not ever. As happy as I was for Jonas and JJ and the rest of the family, I’d hit my limit. The last thing we wanted was for something to set me off. Besides, as it turned out, JJ wasn’t the only woman I was terrified of. That Amber, she looked like she was ready and willing to do damage.

And I, for one, would like to keep my dick intact, even if I had no intention of using it any time soon.