Page 19 of And Then Came You

“What happened to Sveta? Different women for different continents?”

I grimace at Lexi’s accurate statement. “I am not sleeping with Caroline. She’s my assistant. My right arm, basically. I’ve been working her really hard lately and promised her a nice dinner.”

“Will she come here?”

I shrug, unsure where Lexi is going with her question. “Maybe?”

“Ask her. There’s a fabulous steakhouse a mile away and I have an extra bedroom. You two might have to bunk together, but there’s a beautiful beach and some gorgeous eye candy at the local bars. How about you two give up the City for the weekend and try it island style?”

I figure Caroline will balk at my suggestion, but to my surprise, she’s thrilled to escape Manhattan. Within an hour, she’s on an eastbound train, headed for the Hamptons.

I don’t mention it to Lexi, but I think Caroline is also mighty curious about our hostess for the weekend, particularly since I’m not screwing her.

* * *

Talk about a one-eighty from my original weekend plans. Those involved a fancy club and some schmoozing with fellow model types. Instead, I’m seated at a hole in the wall pub, complete with out-of-key patrons channeling their inner superstar during karaoke.

Caroline owes me. Big time.

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t having a good time. The crowd is boisterous, but I blend into the fray, and the anonymity is welcome. Tonight, I’m just Sam.

Plus, I get to spend time with two of the most intelligent women I know, and neither of them want to fuck me. I’m beginning to wonder if that’s the best luck or the worst. I’m leaning toward the latter.

“Sam, are you getting up to sing?” Caroline inquires, her eyes bright from one too many cocktails.

“I wasn’t planning on it. We both know I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.” I turn to Lexi, her gaze focused on the stage. “What about you? You going to wow us with your vocal chops?”

I expect her to decline, but as always, the woman has a few tricks up her sleeves. “I already put in a request. I’m up next.”

I’ll be damned. Didn’t see that one coming. “Go get ‘em, tiger.”

Lexi flashes me a smile as they call her name, before strutting to the microphone. There’s a confidence in her tonight, likely from drinking on par with Caroline. Both of them were a bit giggly on the way into the pub.

I’m thrilled they’re hitting it off. Caroline detests most of my girlfriends—flavors of the moment, as she calls them. Hell, she’s stopped bothering to learn their names, since she knows I’ll tire of them before too long. But she took to Lexi immediately. Can’t say I blame her.

As for Lexi’s karaoke quest, I can only pray she’s a better vocalist than her predecessors.

“Lexi is singing Etta James?” Caroline’s jaw slackens at our friend’s choice of songs.

Etta James is not a style that is easily mimicked. You need some serious chops to pull off one of her tunes.

I cringe as the first notes of the song ring out, certain that I’ll have to rescue Lexi from herself.

I’ve never been more wrong. The entire pub falls away as the first words fall from Lexi’s mouth. Her voice is pure velvet. Throaty and smooth. A true powerhouse encased in a tiny frame.

I’m not the only one falling under her spell. The pub falls silent, save for the glorious voice emanating from the speakers. Patrons pause, leaning on pool sticks, their gazes directed toward the front of the house.

Gazes locked on Lexi, who has suddenly morphed into the most beautiful creature in the place. The most beautiful woman any of us has ever seen.

I want to bash in the skulls of every man sending her lascivious stares, aware of exactly what kind of thoughts are running through their brains. What things they’re dreaming about as her velvet voice washes over them.

Her song ends to a shattering of applause and catcalls, her pale skin pinking from the fuss. With a kiss to the crowd, she walks from the stage, and I’m pumped to give her the kudos she deserves.

I don’t get the chance. One of the aforementioned schmucks grabs her elbow as she strolls toward the table, pulling her close to him as he bends his head to whisper in her ear.

I can’t hear what he’s saying, but the smile breaking across her face at his words makes my blood boil.

“What was that about?” I demand as Lexi plops into her seat, her eyes widening at my question.

---