Page 73 of Curveball

Cheetah smirks. He knows something we don’t know.

She scrunches her face. “I…umm…I actually write romance novels under a pen name. Not many people know about it. I would appreciate you keeping it between us. Trey says he’s proud of me, but I’m sure judgmental assholes would have a field day with him if they found out. And I don’t want to use his notoriety.”

I stand there in shock. We’re all usually very casual, but not Gemma. She’s always got on designer clothes. She’s not snobby at all, she’s just always perfectly made up and classy. I didn’t expect this from her.

I ask, “What have you written?”

She shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “A handful of books. It’s just a fun hobby. I can send you a link to my website if you want to check them out.”

Kam seems intrigued. “Are they super spicy?”

Gemma gives a guilty look. “It’s all relative, I suppose. Nothing too dark and depraved, but I think most people think of them as super spicy.”

Kam nods. “Give us an example of something dirty you’ve recently written. Be very specific.”

“Hmm.” She gives a sly smile as something occurs to her. “I just wrote a scene where the man eats cherries directly from the woman’s—”

Cheetah interrupts, “Love tunnel?”

Gemma giggles. “Yes, love tunnel. That’s a good name. I might use that too. Cheetah, you’re a gold mine for my books.”

He winks at her like they have a secret but then turns back to the rest of us. “I think my new food fetish is growing.” He turns to Kam. “Kam bam, I’m in the mood for Japanese tonight. Maybe your bento box will do.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not an all-you-can-eat buffet, kitten.”

“In my mind you are.” He thumps his head. “I dream every night about your long legs wrapped around my face. They’re like peanut butter. Smooth and easy to spread.”

Kam licks her lips suggestively. “That’sverypresumptuous of you. What makes you think they’re smooth?”

Cheetah smiles at her as something passes between them. “I would kill to eat your muffin for breakfast.”

Kam’s eyes sparkle. “Why do you get to have all the fun? Maybe I want a meal for two with a hairy view?”

Man, these two never let up. They’ve each met their match.

Arizona finally walks in, followed shortly thereafter by Quincy. She looks annoyed, and he looks unhappy.

After some fun banter among this crazy crew, Trey holds up his drink. “To Layton, for another career night. It’s great to see you playing this way again, brother.”

We all lift our glasses, but Layton stares at Arizona with pure lust in his eyes. “It’s all thanks to my beautiful muse.” And then he kisses her. Deeply.

In true Arizona fashion, she gives it right back to him.

It just got very hot in here. So much for toning it down.

Everyone starts hooting and hollering, but I look at Quincy, and he seems pained as he turns his head to me and mouths, “Is it real?”

Unwilling to betray Arizona, I remain stoic and simply shrug my shoulders.

He appears hurt. Not by the kiss in front of him, but that I’m choosing her over him.

He stands abruptly, causing his chair to screech, and walks straight out of Screwballs.

Arizona assumes he’s pissed about the kiss and starts to go after him, but I grab her arm. “I’ve got it. I’ll talk to him. You stay and have fun with your man.”

She lets out a breath. “Fine by me. I’m sick of him treating me like a child when he’s therealchild. He just had a temper tantrum.”

I don’t think that’s what just happened, but I’m certainly not saying anything. “I know, sweetie. He worries about you. I’ll talk to him.”

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