Page 7 of Twisted Lies 3
“To Team Us,” we toasted before smelling the vodka while swirling it in our glasses.
Taking a small sip, I let the flavor rest on my palate for a few seconds before swallowing it, savoring the aftertaste.
“Why do you like them so young?” I needled.
“Because they’re so pliable,” Jade moaned. “And eager to learn.”
“You mean, you like the control.” It was a statement, not a question.
Jade snorted. “Like you don’t. Knowing you, you orchestrate every move in bed.” She mimicked my voice as she said, “Move your mouth here. Um . . . no, no, no. More tongue, less teeth. Wait. Are you done already?”
I choked out a laugh because she was spot-on. “I can’t help it that I have high expectations no man has yet to live up to.”
“Uh-huh. Says the woman who hasn’t been fucked in months. Shit. You just gave up trying.”
“I’ll have you know I had mind-numbing, toe-curling sex with Beast last night.” I left out the part that the toe-curling was courtesy of dirty thoughts of Core going down on me.
I shivered deliciously.Jesus, I bet his tongue game is absolutely spectacular.
“Beast is your vibrator. It doesn’t count,” Jade interjected.
“Hells yeah, it does. Beast is way better than any man.” I ticked off my points. “He follows directions. He stays hard for hours. And he doesn’t bitch and moan or beg to stay when I kick him the fuck out of my bed.”
Jade groaned. “I’m going to have to get you laid fast before you decide to marry Beast.”
A waiter with a handlebar mustache drifted over to us with menus. “Hello, ladies. The same? Or would you like to try something new?”
“The same,” we agreed in unison.
The waiter retreated. We watched with fascination as the pretty-boy bartender worked. He was like a mad scientist of booze.
I nudged her with my elbow. “So, are you excited about your trip?”
I was elated yet sad that Jade was flying out to New Zealand tomorrow morning to begin production on her first directorial feature. She was going to be away on the shoot for months, and I was going to miss her something fierce.
“More like scared,” Jade confessed with a hint of a smile. “I can’t believe I’m about to step behind the camera with my own script. It was fun just blithely writing whatever I wished without having to worry about whether the movie studios would buy my script. Now I’m terrified about the reality of production. The success or failure of my movie is all on me.”
I rubbed her hand comfortingly. “I read your script, and it’s really good. You’ll make it work.”
Jade smiled. “And that’s why I love you so much. You believe in me without a doubt.”
I grinned at her. “That’s how besties roll.”
The waiter came back with small sharing plates of beef tenderloin skewers with chimichurri salsa, truffle mac and cheese, parmesan truffle fries, and a trio of bar snacks. We dug in hungrily. The bartender reappeared with our drinks, set them down, and jaunted away. I sipped the drink that tasted of several delicious flavors—rum, lemon, maple syrup, and hellfire bitters.
“Sin.” Jade twirled her glass. “Why don’t you come to New Zealand with me? Get away for a little bit since your collection is almost completed.” She smiled cheekily. “Meet yourself a man. You know what they say. What happens in New Zealand stays in New Zealand.”
I choked on my drink. “What happens in New Zealand stays in New Zealand?”
“That’s what I heard,” she boasted.
I snorted. “First, fucking no one says that shit . . . like ever. Second, I can’t relax until my collection is done.” I worriedly bit my bottom lip, contemplating the reality that I might never be able to relax.
“You mean, you won’t. There’s a big difference,” Jade stated. “Sin, things between you and Core are fabulous. Stop looking for a fire where there isn’t one.”
I sighed heavily. Maybe Jade was right. I should be ecstatic about the fact that, due to Core’s arm-twisting, I had received confirmation from all retailers that they were back on board with carrying my collection. Now I was working around the clock to complete my pieces, and Core was handling all the business and financial matters. It was a perfect partnership—maybe too perfect.
With an elbow on the bar, Jade rested her chin on her palm and fixed her eyes on me. “So what really happened between you and Core at the gala? And I want details.”
