Pretty Bitches (29 page)

When the sun began to set I looked over. “Lets get dressed. I miss everyone.” I said smiling.

His
eyes softened. “Your wish, my command, Gemma.” He hopped from the bed and reached in the drawer to pull out a t-shirt and sweat pants.

I smiled as I walked to the closet and reached for a pair of jeans and a cropped sweater that hung off one shoulder. I pulled them on and raked a brush through the ratted mess on my head. I most definitely had that recently fucked look.

Cailen was waiting for me when I walked from the bathroom. I grabbed his hand and pulled him out the door. We giggled and touched each other while we walked the obscenely long journey to the kitchen.

I heard Kincaid’s barreling deep voice and Lila’s cackling laugh. Just as we almost rounded the corner Cailen dropped my hand and walked over to the chair and picked up the camera we had carelessly tossed the night before.

The thought of looking at those pictures right now became irresistible but then I thought of how that would immediately lead us back to the bedroom, I found myself reaching for his arm.
 

“Not yet. As soon as we start thumbing through those you know exactly where it will lead. I at least want to say hi to everyone before we dive back into orgasm alley.”

Snorting he replied, “You are probably right, love. I’ll save it for later.”

He placed the camera on the granite shelf of a bookcase and reached for my hand.

When we walked through the doorway cheer
s erupted and whistles pierced my ears.

Alick raised his glass first. “Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael. It’s lovely of you to make an appearance. We thought we were going to have to listen to you shout each other’s names all night, too.”

My mouth opened and I let out a loud string of laughter. Cailen was unabashed and continued as if nothing happened grabbing the decanter and pouring two glasses of amber liquid.

Lila sauntered over, clearly wasted, and wrapped her arms around me winding her legs around my waist. “I don’t think a man has ever caused me to shout his name that many times—I’m fucking jealous.” She cooed.

Alick stared at her with burning eyes over the rim of his glass. As if he said her name aloud her eyes drifted across the room and speared him to the wall. The loud laughter and rumbling voices didn’t break their gaze and for a moment I could actually see them undressing each other.

I whispered in her ear, “He’s breakable, Lil. You have to be easy with him, ok? He’s not like all the other men we know. He’s good, to the core.”

I pulled back and her eyes never left his. “I don’t want to break him, Em. Not in the least.” Her voice was intense and sincere. Then she added in a more playful tone, “Although I wouldn’t mind if he tried to break me.”

A giggle escaped my lips. “You are most certainly one-of-a-kind, sweetheart.”

I kissed her cheek and Wiggled free to snuggle up just a little closer to my husband.

Mac brought out a bottle of tequila and just about every soul in the room groaned and shook their head. He smiled. “It’s time to amp it up a notch.” He said grinning as he filled six shot glasses to the brim.

I looked at Cailen. “Do you have a quarter?”

His brow furrowed. “Uh, I think so.” He rummaged through a drawer at the prep sink and fished out a coin. He dropped it into my palm and looked at me questioningly.

“Hey, Rory, pass me that cutting board propped against that wall.” I said pointing in the direction.

His eyes roved the area and then he walked over and grabbed the wooden board and passed it over the counter. I placed it in the middle of the island and grabbed an empty shot glass.

“Ok. Who’s played quarters before?” I asked looking at each face.

No one spoke and each person shook their head. I laughed. “Well, this should be interesting then.” I mused. “Ok. So the object is to bounce the quarter on the board and land it into the glass. When you miss, you drink. Simple. Got it?”

Rory grinned wide and Mac was all out smiling. Cailen pulled my hips close and whispered a string of dirty things into my ear. I blushed but pinched the quarter between my thumb and forefinger and tossed it against the board causing it to bounce and spin high before it clattered into the glass.

Rory let out a whistle and Mac watched with wide eyes. “Looks simple enough.” He joked.

I smiled. “Batter up, darlin’.” I chimed.

Mac gripped the quarter in the same manner but as soon as it left his hand I knew it was going to clatter against the wood and clamor to the floor. We all watched it’s progress and it did, indeed, bounce from the wood rolling directly to the floor.

I yelped and pointed to the glass. “Drink up, slugger.”

He scowled and picked up the glass rolling it across his lips before tilting it back and dropping it into his other hand.

I winked and turned my head to Rory. He was more hesitant. He picked up the quarter and thought about his delivery. After a moment he dropped the silver onto the board and it bounced off the board not even touching the glass.

I laughed loud and watched as he rolled his eyes and picked up a shot to mimic Mac’s action.

When it was Cailen’s turn I looked around to his face as I straddled between his legs. He reached around me gripping the quarter and without hesitation hurled it onto the board and I watched it land with precision into the glass.

I was smiling before I turned to see his face. There was amusement dancing in those blues and I just shook my head.

Cheater.

By the end of the bottle I’d had one shot and Cailen hadn’t had any. Mac and Rory however were utterly trashed. Having not made one glass by the time they were half way through the bottle their eyes were crossed and they couldn’t even see the shot glass anymore. It was comical.

Kincaid was now deep in conversation with Cailen about an upcoming football game. I looked over in the corner and saw Lila laughing honestly with Alick and the body language was undeniable. They were smitten.

The night progressed lively until the sun began to rise and my eyelids were drooping. Cailen smiled and stroked my face. “Let me get you to bed, gorgeous.”

I yawned and smiled. “Sure, sure.”

He laughed. “No, really. Let me tuck you in and watch you sleep, love.”

“Lead the way, babe.” I slurred.

He slid his hands under my legs and lifted me off the stool with ease, carrying me down the hall to our room.

He pulled back the covers and laid me on my side placing a kiss to my lips as he climbed over and snuggled in on his side. I rolled over laying my head on his chest and was out in seconds.

When I woke up later in the day I felt reenergized. I looked over and realized I was alone. I jumped from the bed, a big smile stretched across my lip and headed for the shower.

Once I was scrubbed clean I stepped out and rubbed my coconut oil into my skin finishing with a fine layer to my hair. I played up my eyes with gold and brown layering mascara and liner around my eyes.

My clothing selection was dwindling so I grabbed an ice blue silk dress that hit high on my thigh and showed off the hard work I put into my leg routine. I let my hair hang long today and slipped into a pair of sky high stilettos that worked my calf muscles with each step.

I looked pretty damn good, I thought.

I started walking toward the kitchen and the usual booming noise was blasting down the hallway. I just smiled because I was seriously beginning to love it. I loved the energy and the friendships. Moving here, to this life, would be the easiest decision I’d ever made.

I rounded the corner and saw the usual scene of whisky and big burly men flanking the chairs. I smiled. “Where’s mine?”

Alick grinned lifting a glass off the counter shaking it lightly. I walked over and picked it from his hand lifting it to my mouth.

I looked around. “Where’s Cailen?”

Alick spoke around a huge mouthful of nachos. “Gym.” He mumbled.

My libido spiked at the thought of him sweaty and working his muscles.

My nipples twitched.

I opened the door and eased down the stairs. He had the music blaring and was running on a treadmill at an all out sprint. His muscles flexed with every stride and bounced just calling my name. My body responded automatically pressing my feet forward. I watched for a while mesmerized at his physical shape and ability. He was a damn machine.

When he slowed the pace and his feet were barely jogging he turned for his towel and caught my frame. His eyes trolled me and he licked his lips as a huge smile dancing around his lips.

The machine stopped and he strolled in that absolutely fucking sexy swagger across the room stabbing me with his eyes. The beads of sweat dripped off his brow and rolled down his shirtless body and my heart skipped a beat.

When he reached me he ran the towel over his face before he sealed his lips to mine and battered my tongue. “God you look fucking delicious. That color makes your skin look like creamy silk.” His voice was grovely and hoarse.

My hairs all stood on end and I swear my nipples did a happy dance under my dress.

“Don’t let me interrupt. I was actually enjoying the view.” I purred.

“I was going to hit the bench but suddenly all I want to lift and pound is you, love.”

I shivered.

“I’m all about physical achievement, any way I can help.”

He laughed. “Well then take that pretty ass upstairs and let me work you over until you can’t scream my name again.”

All I could manage was a shaky, “Ok.”

All my efforts to “cleanup” were moot because he had me chanting, screaming and huffing a sweat before we even made another appearance in the kitchen.

I was running the brush through my hair trying to diffuse the tangles when he wrapped his arms around my waist. I turned smiling. “I hope you got the full workout. I wouldn’t want you to miss anything.”

“I think I’m aptly worked.” He ran his tongue over my shoulder biting my neck. “But I could always use an extra set of lunges and thrusts.”

I cackled hysterically. “Well maybe
you
can but I am in danger of my lady part shutting down her services and existing the building.”

He threw his head back howling with laughter. “We most definitely can’t have that. I’m going to have to buy her flowers and get on my knees to apologize.”

“Oh no, no knees. If you get that close she’ll never speak to me again because you will undoubtedly get carried away.”

He snorted. “So fucking true, Gemma.”

I shook my head and pumped some lotion into my palms smoothing it over my hands as we walked to the kitchen. Halfway there I touched his arm causing him to look over.

“I am going to need to go back soon. Like maybe tomorrow. There are a lot of loose ends and I know I’m causing a lot of havoc to a lot of people. I owe them more than that.” I sighed as I finished.

He blinked and nodded. “I understand, love. We can leave whenever you wish.”

My brows furrowed. “Don’t you have any jobs coming up? What’s our schedule going to be like?”

His smile was blinding as he answered, “I love the way
our
sounds coming from your lips.” He kissed my fingertips. “Actually I do have a job coming up next week in Prague. Should be there for a few days. It’s a missionary trip so it should be interesting. Want to come with me?” He asked hopeful.