The only thing that kept my dick from breaking through my zipper was having to look at Eddie’s face. And the only thing keeping me from punching him for cheating on Astrid… and for her giving him consent to touch her body when they were together, was Astrid herself.

She’d given herself to him willingly. A gift. And he’d tossed it aside as if it were trash.

I might want to do dirty things to her, but at least I’d put her first. I’d make her want every single one of those dirty things. And love it.

I’d never look at another woman if she were mine.

I didn’t give a shit about the fancy country club setting or the pretentious people who would be witness to giving Eddie what he deserved. I didn’t want anything I did to reflect on her because she had enough shit to deal with this weekend.

I had to wonder if these guys were real. Who the hell wore khakis in Montana? As I glanced around, almost all the men wore them. Fuck me, Cutthroat was a crazy town.

“Can I get a whiskey?” I asked the bartender, realizing I’d need more than water to make it through the event. I never usually drank because running a bar had ruined it for me. Except I was going to need a little fortification to handle this fuck show. I’d still be able to keep an eye on Astrid, protect her from her ruthless family, acquaintances, and Amy’s—and most likely Michael’s—friends.

These were the people she’d grown up around? Who she’d chosen to be with?

Eddie the cheating fuck? Amy who had been eyeing me like I was a piece man candy she wanted to suck. No, Astrid had walked away from Eddie years ago. Ditched Cutthroat all together for The Bend and her aunt, Miss Turnbuckle, seemingly the only level-headed one in her crazy family.

My cell vibrated in my pocket. I read the screen. A text from Kent.

KENT: Can you come a week early?

Shit. In Cozumel I’d have to deal with a bunch of drunk assholes, but I’d take their money and ensure they got in a cab. I wouldn’t have to mingle and chat. It would be easy. But empty. I’d have sun and sand. And no one like Astrid to kiss.

That wasn’t true. There were probably tons of women who I could get into my bed. Mexicans. Americans. Tourists from countries all over the world came to Cozumel for a little fun. They could have some with me.