The Cornerstone Read Online Free PDF Page A

seconds until this rowdy crew cleared out. “So I started my IPA adventure with an Olivette from Paisley Pines and then I discovered Lost Highway Breweries, and now I’m dying to try the Veridien from Banded Horn Brewery.”
    Bound. Gagged. Closet.
    “So tell me, Will,” she said, inclining her head toward me. “What’s your poison?”
    An image of Shannon bent over my knee flashed into my mind, and fuuuuuck that had to stop right now. I swallowed it down, drowning that thought in cold beer. “Whatever’s on tap,” I growled.
    In all fairness to my dick, this was nothing more than a natural reaction to being off-base and in the presence of gorgeous women who were free to dress however they pleased. Hell, I hadn’t seen a lady in heels like Shannon’s, with ribbons lacing all the way up her leg, since…ever.
    I sent a silent prayer to my cock, begging it to calm the fuck down.
    “There you are,” Shannon said as Lo draped her arm over my shoulder.
    “Hey, Will, this is my friend Andy. She works with Matt,” she said, gesturing to the brunette beside her.
    “Will Halsted,” I said. She shook my hand without saying a word. “You’re not related to this crew?”
    “No,” Andy said, and her gaze traveled over the patio area to settle on Patrick, the oldest Walsh. He was one stoic motherfucker. I’d only picked up general details about the family Lo was marrying into, and I knew Riley was the fool, Sam was the playboy, Patrick was the hard-ass, Nick wasn’t related but came with the package, and Matt was the golden retriever: obedient, loyal, and couldn’t keep his tongue in his mouth.
    Andy ordered a glass of wine, and thank God Barry was able to meet her request without much discussion. I doubted Shannon cared whether she was empowered to fire him or not; she’d make it happen.
    “Finally, an impartial witness. Sit down,” I said, pulling up a chair.
    If I could get Andy talking, I knew Shannon would go looking for attention elsewhere. That meant I could get some history on these people and distance from Shortcake. Seemed like a win.
    But Andy turned away from Patrick a second before he pivoted. A quick inspection of the patio told me that everyone else saw it too. I couldn’t understand how she missed his hot stare.
    So that’s how it is with them.
    “Are we not having a conversation?” Shannon asked, and fuck . Just…fuck. If I had the time or interest, her mouth would be too busy with my cock to make those comments. And no, I did not want to be interested but post-deployment horny didn’t discriminate against viper-women who inspired fear in wolves and inadequate men.
    “Apparently she didn’t take the hint,” I muttered but Andy ignored me. Incidentally, my dick was ignoring me too.
    Lo shot me a venomous glare, mouthed “Be nice,” and linked her elbow with Andy’s. She flipped me off as they walked across the patio to where Wes was seated with Erin, or—as I preferred to call her—the quiet one.
    I definitely drew the short straw in this activity.
    “I don’t spend nearly enough time listening to harpies.” I gestured for Shannon to finish her story, and hoped my remarks were enough to send her back to her room for the night. That was my exit strategy, and she was providing more than enough material to work with. “By all means, continue. I’m certain there are some frat boys brewing their own basement lager that you haven’t mentioned yet, and I won’t be able to sleep tonight without your assessment of their operation.”
    “The things I do for my brothers,” Shannon said under her breath.
    I expected another book report on the history of brewing but she stayed silent. She watched as Lo and Andy returned to the inn, and then her attention shifted to Erin. Shannon was putting a lot of effort into making her glances seem casual, and failing miserably.
    Her thumb swept back and forth over the bottle’s neck, and for a moment, I was transfixed by an image of those fingers on