I narrowed my eyes, which only made his grin widen.

Looking to Caro for help, I found none. She too looked inordinately pleased by my obvious covetousness of Roane and Shadow.

Feeling uncomfortably hot, I huffed in exasperation and yelled across the dining room toward the bar, “Milly, can we get served, please!”

She startled at my voice but then smirked at my tone. “Aye, keep your knickers on!”

The patrons chuckled at what they assumed was banter, and I tried to let the feeling of being an insider here soften the embarrassment I felt about being so obviously territorial of Roane.

It didn’t.

I could feel his searching gaze burning into me, and I longed for the night to be over.

•   •   •

Hours later, with dinner service finished, many of the tourists had dispersed and those who stayed were there to drink or socialize. Our table had expanded to Viola, Dex, and a number of the locals. Milly would join us in between serving drinks.

Conversation flew up and down the tables, but thankfully no one mentioned Caro’s big move. They did mention how blown away they were by her baking talents and succeeded in pleasing but embarrassing the poor woman into muteness.

It was getting late, and Caro looked a little pale and tired. I was just about to suggest she and I leave, when Roane’s gaze moved toward the bar. The sudden tightness in his jaw made me look up, half expecting to see Helena there.

Annoyance flooded me at the sight of Poppy and her blond companion walking toward us.

Hadn’t they left already?

Earlier, Roane had thankfully not interrogated me about my reaction, and I’d managed to let the whole incident go by the time dessert arrived.

Now she was back.

Some of the men’s eyes followed her swaying hips, and I didn’t blame them. Little black dress or body-contouring yoga pants, the woman would look hot. Poppy oozed sex appeal.

And she’d set her sights on Roane.

Yippee.

“Roane, you remember Kylie.” She gestured to her blond companion as she drew to a stop beside him.

Roane gave Kylie that same thin-lipped smile he’d given Poppy. “Hi.”

“Hi again.”

“So”—Poppy dropped her hand to Roane’s shoulder—“room for two more?”

He flicked me an apologetic look before he shrugged. “Of course.”

My gut churned.

I really hoped it was his inability to be rude that had led to that invitation.

Then, to my shock, Poppy and the blonde grabbed two chairs and placed them between me and Roane. Poppy’s was shoved right up against him, and the blonde hit her chair leg off mine and stared down at me when I didn’t budge. “Do you mind?”