A Night of Desire

Chapter 278 - 275: This Woman, What a Temper

"Well, you know the old saying: ’Nothing’s tastier than dumplings, and nothing’s more fun than your sister-in-law.’ I’ve had the dumplings, but as for the sister-in-law, I’ve never really..."

Before he could even get the word out, two deep, stern voices cut in at the same time, "Shut up!"

"What do you expect when you’re all so shameless with your PDA in front of me every day? If you keep this up, I’m not gonna hold back! To all the unmarried guys out there, you’d better watch your women, because this resident playboy is about to make his move!" River Sterling, not the least bit intimidated, just laughed and cracked another joke.

The moment the words left his mouth, he saw two women pushing the door open. A handsome brow shot up. "Well, well. The two sisters-in-law are back."

As soon as he spoke, both Seth Quinn and Linden Jennings turned around, their gazes landing on their respective women.

Poppy Vance, who hung out with them often, was already used to River Sterling’s tendency to joke around. She smiled and said, "Brother Sterling, are you running your mouth again? You’d better watch out, or Brother Quinn and Linden will team up on you!"

With that, she walked over to Linden Jennings’s side and sat down.

Clara Grant, on the other hand, was attending one of their "brothers’" gatherings for the first time. She was a little embarrassed by River Sterling’s jokes, and her face flushed as she walked back to her original seat.

Linden Jennings wrapped an arm around Poppy Vance’s waist and shot a sidelong glance at River Sterling. As if to deliberately provoke him, he said to Poppy, "Poppy, you don’t have to call him Brother Sterling anymore. Didn’t you hear him? He called you ’sister-in-law.’ From now on, just call him River. Or ’Little Brother Sterling.’ That works too!"

"Okay, then. I’ll call him Little Brother Sterling from now on. It sounds more... intimate," Poppy Vance chimed in, playing along with Linden.

River Sterling immediately begged for mercy. "No, no, no, Poppy, ’Little Brother Sterling’? That completely deflates my ego! Women don’t like men without any swagger. You’ll ruin my ’love’ life!"

"Haven’t you heard the saying, ’an elder brother’s wife is like a mother’? I’m the oldest one here, which makes Poppy your senior. You dare disobey her?" Linden’s lips curled into a deep, teasing smile, showing no intention of letting him off the hook.

"Then you should hurry up and make an honest woman out of Poppy! The day you marry her, I guarantee I’ll treat her with all the respect an elder sister-in-law deserves!"

Even though Poppy Vance was used to their banter and thick-skinned, she still blushed when she heard River Sterling telling Linden to marry her. "Brother Sterling, you’re terrible!"

She had barely finished speaking when she felt a pinch on her waist from Linden. The man’s displeased voice whispered in her ear, "My love, haven’t I told you not to talk to other men like that? That kind of flirtatious tone... you can only use it with me. Understand?"

Clara Grant had been listening to their bickering with great interest, but when she heard that last part, she couldn’t help but blush, lowering her head with a small smile.

Seth Quinn watched her with a deep gaze, then sat up straighter and edged a little closer. "You’re back?" he asked.

Clara was startled by his sudden question. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her cheek as he spoke. She shifted away, feeling a little uncomfortable.

She let out a barely audible "mhm," but inwardly, she felt a flash of irritation. ’Of course I’m back. Who do you think you’re talking to, a ghost?’

It felt like she was sulking, but she was unwilling—and perhaps a little afraid—to think too deeply about why.

Seth Quinn glanced at the way she’d deliberately distanced herself from him, then looked over at Poppy Vance snuggled tightly against Linden Jennings. A hint of envy flickered in his eyes.

He figured she was still angry that he’d lied to her yesterday. He felt a sense of resignation. ’This woman... she sure can hold a grudge.’