Page 80 of In Spades

My nuclear cocktail came back to bite me in the ass. I dropped the glass on the coffee table and gasped for air. “Warn a girl,” I wheezed. “I thought you were the innocent one.”

Erica snickered. “That would be you, you adorable baby duckling. Just because I’m quiet doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around a cock.”

I looked at the ceiling. Lord, take me now.

Hannah pointed to Bridget. “She’s the queen of blow jobs. If you need oral tips, she’s your girl.”

“Pineapple is your friend,” Bridget said as she sipped her glass of red wine.

“And the last time I went to New York, Isaac and I went to a strip club together,” Hannah said. “Let me tell ya, ladies, getting a lap dance from another woman while your man watches is hot as fuck in the moment and excellent foreplay for after.”

Maddie reached over and high-fived her.

“And I’m going to die alone,” Mel said as she hopped off the couch. “Anyone want another piece of pizza?”

“I keep telling you I can set you up with someone,” Isaac said to Mel. “I know plenty of guys who’d show you a good time.”

Mel laughed. “No offense, but I am not into—” she motioned between him and Hannah Jane. “Those kinds of things.”

He shrugged. “Offer stands.”

There was a knock at the glass doors that led out to the beach. Steve hopped up from his spot and unlocked them. Will, Chase, and Luna stood on the other side.

Will locked eyes with me and grinned. He looked all kinds of hot in faded jeans that showed off his ass and a half-zip pullover that stretched across his broad chest. His light brown hair was neatly styled under a ball cap that had a red circle around a bear paw stitched on the front. He still had his wire-framed glasses on from working all day.

I hopped off the couch, abandoning my drink. I was fairly certain that the alcohol would eat through the glass if I left it there long enough.

Luna let out a bark and happily swished her tail on the floor. It had only been a few days, but she was already looking healthier. Chase didn’t look too bad either. I think taking care of Luna gave him a much-needed distraction. Luna looked up at her human with adoring eyes.

Will met me halfway across the man cave and leaned down for a kiss. “Hey, beautiful.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Hey, you.”

18

WILLIAM

“Hey, you,” Kristin said as she wrapped her arms around my hips. She wasn’t short, but compared to me, everyone was short.

I bent down and drew her in for a kiss. “Missed you, Sunshine,” I said as I tipped her chin up.

Her lips tasted like bad decisions. And by bad decisions, I meant an ABC store’s worth of alcohol.

“Damn, what are you drinking? It tastes strong enough to be a bull tranquilizer.”

Kristin laughed. “Some concoction Luca made. You want one?” She looked around. “He’s around here somewhere.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass. Hangovers hurt a lot more than they used to.”

She slipped her hand into mine. “I think you’ve already met everyone, haven’t you?”

A burly, bearded man wandered up and offered his hand. “Steve Pelham. You must be Will.”

“That’s me,” I said as I shook his hand. “Kristin’s told me a lot about you and your wife. Pleasure to meet you.”

He eyed me cautiously like he was sizing me up. Satisfied I wasn’t a threat, he nodded and walked over to Erica, who offered a friendly wave.

“Luna!” Kristin exclaimed. I followed her over to the doorway where Chase and Luna stood. She dropped to her knees and baby-talked the dog, telling her that she was the goodest girl.

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