Page 34 of Master

“Your face has that just-got-railed-bent-over-a-bathroom-sink look to it,” she shares with a chuckle. “I didn’t see Liam, though. Did he sneak out the back?”

“He was on the phone,” I respond, suddenly feeling the flush on my cheeks grow a bit more heated. “It’s a game… or a test …today. He calls, and I have to?—”

“Say no more”—Layla interrupts me with a wink—“but that’s fucking hot.” My admission fazes neither Layla nor Catlin. The conversation carries on as though edging yourself in the bathroom is completely normal.Just another Tuesday.Thelunch crowd dwindles, and we are one of the few remaining tables by the time we finish our second bottle of wine.

“Liam asked us to take you shopping,” Layla informs me as she takes care of the check.

I shake my head. “That’s unnecessary. I have a full closet of things he already got for me.”

“Technically, I got those for you.” Layla laughs. “I won’t force you to go or to buy more things, but that’s because I’m pretty sure it’ll be your backside that pays the price for not doing as he asked.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

SASHA

“The man wants to spoil you, I suggest you let him and maybe bring home something to let him know how appreciative you are.” Layla smirks, shaking a risqué, crotchless white negligée in my face. I snatch the hanger from her before Patrick, Harry, or the two other guys watching over us catch a glimpse of it.

Surrounded by lace and satin, I run my fingers over the expensive fabrics with a heavy, uncomfortable sigh.I’m not used to being doted on.Catlin lifts a delicate black lace bra from the nearby display and holds it up. “What do you think?”

“That’s hot,” I admit. “You should definitely get that.”

“I meant for you.” Catlin smiles and lowers her voice. “Finn would destroy this the first time I put it on.” She finds a pair of tiny matching lace panties and passes both to me.

Layla grins. “See? We’re already making progress.”

The two of them load me up with more lingerie than any woman needs. That said, Liam is currently 1-0 with my panties, so I’m already down a pair. If they’re going to be torn from me, this might not be enough.

“You aren’t getting anything?” I ask Layla as the three of us make our way toward the fitting room.

“I’m not allowed,” she answers frankly. “Tristan finds panties to be a hindrance and has forbidden me from wearing them.Ever.”

“Oh… I guess I would understand that if you were buying the sensible panties Catlin is,” I tease.

“I own sexy panties, too,” Catlin quips, crossing her arms. “I like comfort, and I happen to be adventurous in other ways. Besides, thongs chafe when you’re running through Central Park trying not to get railed on the running path.”

All of us laugh—a comfortableness filling the space around us—and I realize that this Liam-prescribed shopping trip is about far more than getting me more clothes I don’t need. It has been arranged to give me the opportunity to bond with Liam’s family.

The next few hours pass in a blur of trying on lingerie, dresses, heels, and new running shoes for Catlin. All of us leave with enough bags that the men watching over us are forced to help carry things to the matching black Suburbans in the parking garage.

“This was actually not horrible,” I admit, giving Catlin a hug goodbye. “I had fun getting to know both of you.”

“The boys might not like it.” Layla rubs her fingers together, referencing the gross amount of money we’ve spent. “But we should do this again soon.”

“Definitely!” Catlin agrees. “We should make this a regular thing.”

“We can break the news to them during family dinner this weekend,” Layla chuckles.

“Family dinner?” My voice ticks up. “That’s a real thing?”

“Every week,” Layla smiles. “It generally happens at Quinn and Declan’s place in New Rochelle since it’s the biggest by far. Between the five brothers, Rory, the now four of us, three kids, and sometimes Jorge, we need all the space we can get.”

“This weekend?” I repeat, suddenly nervous about meeting the rest of Liam’s family.

“Don’t stress.” Catlin lightly grips my hand. “The boys will all fawn over you, Conor will make relentless jokes about wanting to sleep with you, and Liam will probably beat the snot out of him for it.”

“It’ll be a nice change from Finn or Declan fighting with him,” Layla giggles.

The three of us say our goodbyes, and I slide into the back of my SUV. We have no more than pulled from the parking spot when my phone dings with a message from Liam.

---