“I predict our friend falls before the end of the year,” Sydney announced.
Tamara laughed. “No way. I’ve known her a long time. Nan loves her independence.”
“Yup, almost as much as I love giving it up for a few hours of sexual submission. Nothing beats that. Speaking of which. That’s why we’re hauling your butt out of the house tonight. We’ve decided you’ve pouted enough over that man. That is why you didn’t show last night, isn’t it?”
“He’s driving me crazy,” Tamara admitted as they pulled up in front of Caden’s sprawling ranch home, the front porch lit up to guide their way inside.
Nan eyed her with a shrewd look. “Would it help if I told you he left early last night after rebuffing several subs obvious interest?”
“He did?” That tidbit perked Tamara up until she forced herself not to read too much into it. “I don’t care. He can play with whoever he wants.”
“That blatant lie is why we’re going to take your mind off the pigheaded jerk with lots of junk food and alcohol. And then you will forget all about him and think about Master Devin when I give you graphic details of some of his scenes, especially the ones with me. Did you know he and Master Greg are into sharing?”
“Huh?” Tamara’s face warmed. “I can’t even bring myself to choose one man other than Con and you want me to consider two at the same time? No way, no how.”
The three of them burst into hysterics at Tamara’s stunned utterance as they gathered around the pizza strewn kitchen table. “Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.” Sydney flicked Avery a sly grin. “I loved the scene Caden set up with Grayson.”
Avery scowled and gave her a mock growl. “I told you to never bring that up.”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist.” Sydney’s green eyes filled with amusement as she passed a bite of pizza to each of the collies who had followed them inside. “Don’t tell Caden,” she warned them.
“I will if you bring up that scene again,” Avery threatened even though she had slipped the dogs some herself.
Tamara’s mood lightened considerably listening to her friends’ banter. It wasn’t long before she was laughing with them, stuffing her face and on her fourth glass of wine. They moved into the den after finishing off the food, each carrying a bottle and a glass. Settling on the floor, they sprawled out, giggled like schoolgirls and talked trash on men.
“So, how did Master Connor get you away from Master Devin the other night?” Nan wanted to know.
Tamara was tipsy enough to tell her the truth. “He walked up to us and looked at me with those gorgeous eyes.”
“The rat bastard.”
Nan’s feigned disgust drew another round of hysterical laughter before she turned thoughtful and tapped her lips with one finger, humming, “Mmmm.”
“Uh, oh. She has that gleam in her eyes,” Sydney said.
“I’m thinking Tamara needs to do something that will get Master Connor to see her in a different light. And I have just the thing. You need to ditch the black skirt for something I would wear to the club.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Avery nodded her head in agreement as Tamara’s throat went dry thinking about some of the outfits she’d seen in Nan’s closet.
“Shopping trip!” the three of them cried in unison.
Ever skeptical, Tamara shook her head. “And if he doesn’t fall for the bait?”
“Then someone else will, no question about it.”
Nan’s positivity rubbed off on her enough to get her agreement, but she refused to hope for success. That would only add to her heartbreak if she failed again. By the time ten o’clock rolled around, they decided it wouldn’t be smart to let Nan drive Tamara home on her way back to Willow Springs since she was as drunk as the rest of them. Sydney texted Caden for assistance and much to Tamara’s dismay, Connor arrived with his brother and her entire body grew hot at the way he zeroed in on her with that enigmatic blue gaze.
Connor took one look at Tam’s glassy eyes and his heart rolled over. “You are so not supposed to be here, crashing my fun,” she muttered.
“Well, I am. If not me, who?” She looked as young, as innocent and as drunk as when he’d picked her up from her first bonfire teen party after she’d called for a ride. That was back then, when she listened to him and hadn’t hesitated to obey when he instructed her to contact him if she’d been drinking after he had learned where she planned to go.
“I’ll drive Tam home.” Ignoring Tam’s emphatic, negative head shake that made her lose her balance, his brother’s derisive snort and Grayson’s taunting grin, Connor strode into the den and hauled her to her feet, his eyes sweeping the floor strewn with empty wine bottles and candy bar wrappers. “You girls went through a stash, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” Avery sighed and leaned on Grayson as she yawned. “It was fun.”
“Just wait until morning.” The sheriff tugged on her hair as he steered her toward the front door. “Goodnight everyone.”
Connor grabbed Tam’s hand, noticing she didn’t argue or fight his hold, and followed them. “I’ll be out after therapy tomorrow, Caden. Dan, do you have Nan?”