Read Online Sweet Satisfaction by Becca Dale - Free Book Online Page B

sweet and innocent friend would manipulate him, but it would never happen.
    Lying back, she stared at the nearly cloudless sky. “How do I convince him I was a fool if he won’t talk to me?”
    Kurt patted her leg, and she turned to look at him. “You could sneak into his house and refuse to leave until he listens.”
    “No. He’ll just walk away.”
    Al nodded. “You could get him drunk and have your way with him.” A scowl darkened his handsome face. “Except Connor never gets drunk. He hates losing control.”
    A plan started in the back of her mind and bloomed quickly. Sitting up, she grinned at the men who would be her accomplices. “That’s perfect. You guys take him out for a drink.”
    “I just said—”
    Waving off Alonso’s protest, she jumped to her feet. “I need you to get him to my place. If you can get him drunk, great. Otherwise, slip him a sleeping pill or whatever it takes to get him out long enough to bring him to me.”
    Kurt shook his head. “Hell no. He’ll never forgive us.”
    “He will if I get it right.”
    Indecision wavered on their strong faces.
    “Please. You’re the ones who said he’ll never get over me. If I can make him listen, then he won’t have to. We all know that once he decides how he’s going to handle something, he won’t change his mind without drastic measures.”
    Al snorted. “Drugging him is beyond drastic.”
    “He won’t talk to me on his own, and like I said, he’ll only walk out if I go to his place.”
    Kurt shifted uncomfortably, and she repressed a grin. “What keeps him from taking off the moment he comes around?”
    “Leave that up to me. The less the two of you know, the less likely you’ll be to spill the beans.” She stood to her full height, as meager as it was even in high heels, and stared the two of them down. “You both owe me for last night. Do this, and I promise not to ever bring your poor behavior up in front of your mothers or sisters.”
    They both groaned. And Al looked around, perhaps seeking an out.
    Knowing she’d won, Kate opened the car and dug a small notepad and a pen from her purse, scribbling quickly before they chickened out. “Here’s my cell number and address. Have him there by eight.”
    Taking it by the corner, Kurt held the paper as if it were poisonous. “What if we can’t get him to cooperate?”
    “Failure is not an option, but call if you’re going to be late so I don’t worry.”

Chapter Eight
    Connor traced the condensation on the side of his beer. Bernie’s Bar pulsed with the obnoxious beat of a local rock band entertaining the Saturday night crowd. How the hell had he let himself be talked into this? When his cousin or brother got a hair up his ass, there was no turning him down. Together, they were worse. Still, he had no desire to sit and watch while Kurt and Alonso flirted with any set of boobs. Every place he looked, someone was planning, hoping, or praying to get lucky. He struggled to rein in the bitterness and disillusionment compressing his chest.
    Al strolled past with a tall blonde on his arm, her shy smile far outshined by his cousin’s grin. “Hey, Con. Come dance. Whiskey and wild women await!”
    Shaking his head in denial, he studied his mug. Maybe if he ignored them, they’d let him leave without much fight. The scrape of chair legs over the bare wood floor clarified he didn’t stand a chance.
    Kurt settled on the stool beside Al’s. “All right. So what’s got your gut in a knot, little brother? You’re usually more fun.”
    “Nothing.”
    Alonso scowled. “Is it that bitch from last night?”
    Anger rose, and Connor took a drink to keep from slugging the other man. “I told you, she’s not a bitch. Don’t call her that again.”
    His cousin sipped his whiskey, his gaze unwavering. “Then what is she? Or better question, where is she?”
    Not here . God, he wished she were. If he’d left well enough alone, Kate would still be part of his life. But that was no