Page 2 of Against All Odds

“That was done without her consent,” Natasha shot back.

So, Bambi and these women had all grown up together and were all probably alike. That was good to know because that meant Bambi was off-limits. I didn’t need another Alexa in my life.

“She’s so on the prowl,” Leslie tittered.

“I mean, she’s here at the tavern, so…yeah,” Alexa laughed maliciously.

Okay, that was fucking enough.

I got up, pulled out my wallet, and threw some bills on the table. “I’m going to go check on Juno.”

Alexa pouted. “She’s sleeping, Heath, let’s hang here.”

“I’m tired. It’s been a long week.”

Bambi then laughed at something the old bartender said as she got up to leave. Her smile was brilliant, I thought, as she walked past us.

“Sable,” Leslie called out, winking maliciously at Alexa.

Bambi stopped, and her smile instantly went from easy to plastic. Maybe she wasn’t friends with this lot. She revealed her irritation at being interrupted on her way out but masked it quickly.

Well, darling, I’m in the same boat with you,I thought sourly.

“How are you doing, Sable?” Alexa stood up and did the fake hug and air kiss thing with Bambi, who didn’t look like she wanted to have anything to do with that kind of physical contact with my ex. But she didn’t make a scene, which I think Alexa had counted on.

How did I stay married to this woman for a decade and a half? She was still in freaking high school.

“I’m well, Alexa. Hi, Leslie, Natasha.”

Natasha, who wasn’t as much of a bitch as her sister, got up and extended a hand to Sable, who looked surprised by it but shook it. “It’s really nice to see you,” Natasha said politely.

Sable’s dark chocolate-brown eyes were brilliant with amusement.

Oh, she sees through these women, I thought almost gleefully and was even more charmed by her.

I hadn’t been with a woman locally since I moved to Aspen. In San Diego, it had been easier; here, I needed to be careful. Gossip was a local pastime, and I didn’t need my daughter to know about my sexual partners.

I wasn’t looking for a relationship, just companionship and sex. Casual. I was forty-two, and I was way past fucking random women. I had been loyal to Alexa while we were married, and I had dated some in San Diegoafter we divorced. I enjoyed the company of women, but with age, my needs had become particular. And women I could be physically attracted to didn’t stimulate me intellectually. But this woman, with her satin-like skin, fresh face, and sophisticated demeanor, called to me both sexually and at a human level.

“This is my husband, Fred.” Natasha all but pushed Fred onto Sable.

Bambi smiled at my former brother-in-law. “Fred, lovely to meet you.”

“Have we met?” Fred shook hands with her and looked keenly. It would sound like a line from someone else, but Fred was too decent for anyone to misunderstand him.

She laughed, and fuck if that sound didn’t go straight to my dick. “I love the Elk Steakhouse.”

Fred owned several restaurants around Colorado, including the most popular steakhouse in Aspen.

“Yes.” Fred’s eyes lit up with memory. “You were there last weekend. Thank you so much for your patronage.”

“Next time you’re there, let the staff know; I’m usually around. I’d love to catch up, and you can have a meal on the house, right?” Natasha added. She seemed almost desperate for Sable’s attention, which surprised me.

Alexa frowned, not liking this at all. “Sable, this is my husband, Heath.”

“Ex-husband,” I automatically corrected, which she hissed at because she’d told me it was embarrassing whenI did that, and I told her that it was uncomfortable as fuck for me to still be called her husband. She didn’t listen, so neither did I. “Nice to meet you, Sable.”

Bambi looked at me, and I felt the full force of her gaze like a sledgehammer. I’d never felt attraction like this before.

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