Page 66 of Toxic

“Right,” Isla replied. “That. Happy. Happily laid.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. These women somehow made me feel completely comfortable even while asking some of the most private of questions. I wasn’t sure how they did that, but I really liked them. “It’s not Toxic,” I told them, “it’s me.”

“Will?” Dani said and laughed when I hissed at her and looked around as though she was going to make him pop into existence. “B, that loser has been out of your life for a long time.”

“Who’s Will?” Jordan asked.

“A loser Billie dated way back in the day,” Dani said before I could answer.

“Hate those kind,” Gwen said in solidarity.

I nodded at her. “I shouldn’t have ever gotten involved with him.”

She returned my nod. “I know how that goes.”

“He was a cheater,” Dani said, happily unveiling all my secrets in front of the group.

“Dani,” I told her, giving her a look.

“Don’t worry. We won’t tell the guys any of this,” Seek promised me. “Your secrets are safe here.”

For some weird reason, I believed her. I hardly knew these women, but I was about to open up to them. It wasn’t typical of me, and really just proved to me how desperate I was for advice. Gramps was gone, and probably wouldn’t be much help in this situation anyway. Grandfathers shouldn’t have to counsel their granddaughters on matters of love. It was just weird.

Sighing, I looked around and shrugged. “He was a cheater. Total womanizer. He’d flirt with women when we were out in town together and didn’t even care that I was with him.”

“What a dick,” Isla muttered. “Does he still live in Tucson?”

A wicked gleam had entered her gray eyes. It made me a little uncomfortable and more than a little worried for Will’s safety even after all these years. “Ummm… I’m not sure, actually.” He did. But I wasn’t sure I should tell her that.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find out.” Her knife was suddenly out of her pocket and she was playing with it.

“I, uh… I really don’t like Will,” I told her, “but I’d rather he didn’t end up dead. You know?” I was starting to believe themwhen they said she was an assassin. I was sure it was a joke at first, but now? Not so sure anymore.

She sighed. “Fine,” she said, sounding aggrieved.

“So what does Will have to do with Toxic?” Susie asked.

They were all watching me again. How did I answer their questions? “I don’t even… I mean I know Toxic is attracted to me, but he hasn’t said anything about being interested otherwise. And I’m not looking to just…get laid,” I said, looking at Isla at that since she’d been the first to talk about sex.

“You should,” she said. “Hell of a way to relieve stress. Which, considering these assholes are after you and your farm, you have to be under.”

I considered that. I really liked her straightforward nature. “That’s true, but…”

They all waited to see what I’d say.

Fighting not to blush, I admitted, “I’m not comfortable sleeping with men I don’t really know.”

“Why?” Jordan asked. “You’re gorgeous. I bet they’re hitting on you constantly.”

“Uh, no,” I replied with a laugh.

“She’d have to leave her ranch for men to see her,” Dani teased. “The cowboys they employed here before wouldn’t dare hit on her since she’s their employer.”

“But we’re skipping over the fact that it wouldn’t be a problem for her to sleep with Toxic,” Gwen pointed out.

“Why wouldn’t that be a problem?” I asked.

“Because that man is in love with you,” Seek stated matter of factly.

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