Sparks Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked reasonably.
    Ramirez glared. “Open the door, or I’ll kick it down.”
    “It’s probably already open.” Tomas opened the unlocked door and strode in.
    “He doesn’t even lock his door? You need to get control of your man.”
    “He’s not my man,” Tomas snapped.
    “Keep telling yourself that,” Ramirez retorted.
    Tomas went into the living room. Not seeing anyone, he went to the kitchen.
    “Where the hell did they go?” Ramirez grumbled.
    “I don’t know. Maybe they went out.” Tomas went back into the hall.
    “I hear something in the back.”
    “That’s the master bedroom,” Tomas said, heading that way.
    He pushed open the door. Glancing in, he frowned. Bernie and Alex, with Harper in the middle, lay in the bed, cuddled up together.
    “What the hell?” Ramirez asked, trying to push past him.
    Tomas pushed him out, closing the door. Ramirez pushed against him. Tomas shoved him back, herding him back down the hall. They strained as they scuffled. Ramirez finally reached the door, and Tomas got in front of him, pushing at Ramirez’s barrel chest.
    “Stop. Don’t go busting in there like an ass. You know what Harper said. Hell, Bernie too.” Tomas grunted as he held Ramirez back.
    “He shouldn’t be in bed with him,” Ramirez growled.
    “You can trust Bernie and A—”
    Ramirez interrupted. “Not him. That Alex. I see how he acts around everyone. Always touchy-feely.”
    “You never had a problem with it before. Usually, you laugh it off and grope him. Thought you all were cool.” Tomas raised an eyebrow.
    “We are, but he still shouldn’t be in bed with Harper. He’s vulnerable right now. Doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Ramirez grumbled.
    Tomas released him, since Ramirez had stopped trying to push past him. Ramirez leaned on the wall next to the door, running his hand through his hair. Tomas studied him. The usually affable Ramirez looked frazzled and out of sorts. Lines of strain were on his face.
    “What’s really going on? Why haven’t you or Harper been coming to the poker games or other things?”
    “It’s Harper’s choice. And I’ve been keeping close to keep his family ”—there was a sneer in his tone—“from taking advantage of him. Ever since Karl died, they’ve moved into Harper’s house. They’ve taken over. And Harper doesn’t even care that they have. He’s just going through the motions and letting them have their way. Karl wouldn’t have stood for it. Hell, the old Harper wouldn’t have either.” Ramirez sighed.
    “It’ll take time for him to get back on his feet. Give him time. He doesn’t need you hovering.” Tomas put his hand on Ramirez’s shoulder, squeezing it.
    “I’m all he’s got to stand between him and that family of his,” Ramirez defended.
    “He doesn’t need a keeper. He needs a friend,” Tomas said.
    “Like you and Bernie? Don’t talk when you’re doing the same thing,” Ramirez sneered.
    “What do Bernie and I have to do with this?” Tomas withdrew his hand, frowning.
    “You act like Bernie’s keeper, but he doesn’t need one. Hell, with the stipend he got this year, he doesn’t need to ‘cook’”—Ramirez made quotation signs with his fingers—“for you anymore. You can give up the pretense of not being able to cook. Just come clean and fuck him already.”
    “I don’t want to fuck Bernie,” Tomas insisted.
    Ramirez looked at him in disbelief. “You really have no clue. Even with the dance, where you all almost humped each other on the floor.”
    “Miguel talks too much,” Tomas growled.
    “Hell, I didn’t hear it from him first. Alejandro told me. Then my phone blew up with calls from everyone else. It was the talk of the crew. And, of course, now there’s a bet.”
    “You take such pleasure in telling me that. What? You plan on winning this one too, like the one with Miguel and Robert?” Tomas said.
    “What can I say? I’m lucky.” Ramirez smiled slyly.
    “Why does everyone assume