Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

We come up to a food stall, where they have a whole pig roasting on a spit. Tony tries it, then holds out a sample to me. “Here, it’s hot but delicious.” I take it into my mouth, and he’s right, it’s sweet, salty, a little spicy . . . it’s the best pork I’ve ever had. I suck on his finger, lost in the flavor, when Tony chuckles and leans in to whisper in my ear. “Watch it, you’re going to make me pop wood out here in front of all of these people.”

I chuckle and wipe at my mouth with my pinkie finger. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

He grins, motioning over to a group of couples dancing. “Wanna give it a go?”

“You’re joking!”

“Hell no, I’m not!” Tony says, pulling me toward the group. A couple of the locals look surprised, but when Tony strips off his shirt and starts dancing, recreating the moves that we did for the competition, they’re getting into it. My heart soars so much that I wrap my arms around him, kissing him hard.

“I can’t believe we just did that!” I say as we get applause. He’s covered in a fine sheen of sweat, but I don’t care. He’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen as he kisses me back.

“Let’s go get a drink. I’ve worked up a sweat.”

We go to a punch bowl stand, grabbing two massive cups. I see that this is the real stuff, not shit from a bottle. Tony makes a joke about keeping the punch in the cup and not in his face this time. It seems like that happened a lifetime ago, as I give him a little sheepish grin. I’m finishing my last drop when Cassie comes by with a girl on her arm. “See? What’d I tell you?”

Caleb, who’s just coming up empty handed, looks shocked. “No fucking way.”

“Way. Told you, don’t doubt me,” Cassie boasts, triumphant even though her newfound friend is at least half drunk. “Kalena, say hello.”

Cassie’s newfound friend giggles and squeezes her cheeks. “Hello. And who wouldn’t love her dimples?” she says.

“Well if it weren’t for Tony’s dancing messing up my game, I would've won,” Caleb says, stopping by the water balloon game stand. “His little display has all the girls around here eyeing him.”

“Sure. Excuses, excuses,” Cassie says, kicking off her sandals and brandishing her petite feet. “But you know what time it is. Don’t be a sore loser. Get down on your knees and get to worshipping!”

Cassie’s so caught up in her gloating that she doesn’t appear to notice Caleb’s hand moving behind his back as he moves his lips toward her feet. But with mere inches to go, he shakes his head.

“Kiss ‘em real good,” Cassie gloats, winking at Kalena. “Don’t be afraid of the toe jam.”

Caleb hikes his arm higher, opening his mouth.

“Tell me he is not gonna—” I begin to say, but Caleb is fast, throwing the water balloon right into Cassie’s chest, where it explodes, soaking her and her friend.

“Boom! Money shot!” he yells, taking off running.

“Motha . . . fuck!” Cassie yells, shoving Kalena to the side and running after him. We both laugh at them as Cassie calls after him, “Get back here, asshole!”

“Someone’s gonna end up dead.” Tony laughs as Cassie’s newfound friend squawks, then shrugs and walks off. “We’re so gonna have to patch one of them up.”

“Forget them—let’s go for a walk,” I reply, taking his arm. I grab a water balloon to hold as we pass. It feels cool in my hand to hold, refreshing against the heat. We move away from the main festival, melting into the shadows as we walk. The moon is still high, and while not quite full, it’s beautiful as we head down a walking path that connects the village to Wesley’s place. “This whole trip has been life changing.”

“I know what you mean,” Tony says. “I can’t believe it’s going to end soon.”

“I don’t want it to,” I admit. “Tony . . . I don’t want it to end.”

We stop, and he pulls me close, kissing me softly. I wrap my arms around his neck, my desire tempered by the mood. He’s tender, looking at me with something that shakes me to my core, and I lay my head against his shoulder when we’re done. Tony strokes my back, his voice heavy with feeling. “For now, let’s just enjoy the night.”

“Okay,” I reply, feeling a little better. I don’t want to ruin the night thinking about it. I want to retreat to a safe place from my feelings, and I look back toward the village. “I wonder if she’s caught him by now and beaten his ass.”

“I’m pretty sure she’s all talk,” Tony says with a chuckle. “But still, she’s a feisty little thing. I can’t picture you being so bold.”

“Oh, you wanna bet?” I ask.

“I do,” Tony challenges me.

I lob the water balloon I’ve been carrying in his face. Splat!

“That was for doubting me!” I yell, running for my life.

“You’re so dead!” he shouts, laughing.

I pump my legs fast, feeling like a child. Everything drops away, all the worries, all my thoughts about how it’s going to end. Instead, there’s just this moment, my muscles straining as the air pours in and out of my lungs in laughs and squeals. There’s only the moon, and the path, and the laughter as my man comes pelting down the path after me, coming to claim me.

“You’re mine!” he yells, stumbling over something in the path before recovering. I pour on the speed. Maybe I can outrun him. Laughing, I push just a little harder.

“You’ve gotta catch me first!”Anthony

“Your ass is mine!” I yell, running her down. She got a head start, and I stumbled once, but I’ll catch her. My heart is pounding, my entire body flooded with testosterone and desire.

She’s wearing herself out trying to run as fast as she can. I close within a foot and grab