hadn’t even considered him ’til you just brought it up. Damn, it really is the biggest glitch in my plan. I mean, I figured I’d have time to find somebody. I didn’t think I’d have to go first, but thanks to Athena, I’ve run out of time. Couldn’t I just study really, really hard without testing the merchandise?”
“And not follow Ms. Belle’s instructions by putting your personal stamp of approval on every technique, like she did?”
Both sisters choked on their laughter, feeling horrified, yet ashamed about laughing. But the woman had to have been in her nineties! Who the hell had she been experimenting with? And when Caelen thought about the list: bondage, cunnilingus, anal …
“Seriously, though. Karma really is a bitch. I wouldn’t go messing with someone’s final wishes before they died. Right now, it looks like you need all the good luck you can get.”
“I know, I know. And I really need this to work. Even if only to prove Athena wrong,” she muttered to herself.
Reality set in. If this was really going to happen, she had to find someone tonight . There was no time to spare. She was in a bar. People came here to hook up. Problem solved. How hard would it be to find a total stranger and ask him to be her sex slave for a few days? Wouldn’t that be every guy’s fantasy?
And Dare, well, he wasn’t here, was he? How typical . She didn’t have the time to chase him around, so first come, first serve. Decision made. So why did her hand shake at the idea of putting her mouth on some random guy’s dick?
Come on, girl. Be honest. You’ve slept with guys for far less than Ms. Belle’s Charm School. This is nothing . “Damn,” Caelen moaned softly, grabbing onto her braids, and pulling hard at the roots.
“Have no fear, Baby C. I think the answer to your problem might be closer than you think.”
“Oh God. What now?” Caelen looked over at Brynn and the small smile on her face didn’t make her feel any better.
“You have a drop-dead gorgeous man making his way toward the bar, and he only has eyes for you.”
Her prayers had been answered. “Heading my way? Sounds like this gorgeous man has exquisite taste.”
“You might want to look over before you say any more.” Her sister nudged her with her shoulder and Caelen spun around on her barstool.
Halfway across the room strode a six-foot wall of muscle. He was equipped with everything she was looking for: hot body, wicked grin, rumpled hair, intense stare.
Too bad his name was Dare. Drop-dead gorgeous was right, emphasis on the drop dead.
Her heart jumped, anticipation free-diving through her veins. On further inspection, she also saw a shorter, muscular man walking alongside him. Now things were getting interesting. “First come, first serve.”
Chapter 9
‡
S CORE .
Third time’s the charm. He knew the Quads had hit the town, thanks to Ms. Hattie. He just hadn’t known where. After a few tries, he’d found her. At The Bucc, no less. It was the closest bar to the school and yet the last that he’d checked. Didn’t matter. He’d been determined, and the time and effort were well rewarded.
The place was packed. A middle-aged woman with a microphone, warbled out a Rod Stewart song. Must be karaoke night . Great. These were the nights he usually avoided like the plague. But for Caelen, his eyes searched through the throng of guests, I’ll brave the crowds.
There she sat, one leg crossed as she perched on a barstool in cut offs, a plaid shirt and—His heart stopped, and then went into furious palpitations. Was she wearing Pippi Longstocking braids? He bit back a groan. Childhood fantasy come to life. The whole outfit made him antsy, hot, demanding, and determined to make her his.
The only problem? Caelen was obviously holding onto a lot of anger from their childhood. But he knew her, to the tips of her dainty toes. This wasn’t only about him. It’d been about some of the hardcore teasing the Sierra Madre rich kids
Marjorie Thelen
Kinsey Grey
Thomas J. Hubschman
Unknown
Eva Pohler
Lee Stephen
Benjamin Lytal
Wendy Corsi Staub
Gemma Mawdsley
James Patterson and Maxine Paetro