Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

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DELLINA STRETCHED OUT on the chaise and sipped her margarita. The sun was warm and she was with friends. Talk about a great way to spend an afternoon. Besides, she was with the right group to get information.

They were in Taryn’s beautiful walled garden. Taryn was next to her in another chair while Larissa was on Dellina’s other side. A couple of big umbrellas shaded them and there was a light breeze. Taryn had promised Angel would be by later with snacks. As Dellina hadn’t had an afternoon off, let alone a day, in about three weeks, she was going to soak up every second of this before she had to throw herself back into the Score party.

The good news was everything was coming together. The bad news was, she didn’t know if she should be worried about having Lark Heuston lecture or not.

“You two have met Sam’s mother,” Dellina began. “He’s totally freaked about her coming to the event. Should I be concerned?”

Taryn leaned forward to look past her toward Larissa. “You want to go first or should I?”

“You go,” Larissa told her. “You know her better than me.”

Taryn leaned back in her chair. “I love her breathing techniques. I use them all the time.”

“Me, too,” Larissa said. “They help me relax.”

“I use them for sex,” Taryn murmured, then sipped her drink.

Dellina opened her mouth, realized she had nothing to say, then closed it.

“The thing is,” Taryn continued, “Reggie and Lark are really sweet people. They love their kids and are generous to everyone they meet. They just don’t have regular privacy boundaries. They’re open, affectionate people.”

“Who share everything,” Larissa added.

“They do,” Taryn said. “I’ve met Sam’s sisters and they’re just like his folks. Sweet and funny, but they’ll tell you anything. Sometimes it’s okay and sometimes it’s a little weird.”

Larissa nodded. “Like the time Lark wanted to show me this technique where you press down on your clitoris as you rub to increase intensity during orgasm.”

Dellina had been swallowing. She started to choke. “Show as in show?” she asked when she could talk again.

“Oh, yeah,” Taryn said. “I asked her to describe it instead, then went home and practiced.” She grinned. “It works and now Angel is an expert.”

Dellina felt her cheeks begin to burn. “I don’t think I could do that. Watch or be shown.”

“Sam would agree with you,” Taryn said. “His family makes him insane.”

Dellina could relate. She was also worried about the weekend, although everything about this conversation was surreal. “I’m going to have to talk to Lark and explain we need to keep things at a steady PG-13. Do you think she’ll listen?”

“Sure,” Larissa told her. “After I said I was uncomfortable with a real, live demonstration, she only described things. She respects other people’s boundaries.”

“Except Sam’s,” Taryn added. “I’m not concerned. She knows this is our business and our clients. I’ll talk to her before anything gets started. Not that I can calm Sam down. Poor guy.”

They talked about the opening of Isabel’s boutique and how fast the year was racing by.

“I’m looking forward to the Summer Festival,” Larissa said. “I just love how this town celebrates.”

“You should see us at Christmas,” Dellina told her. “It’s magical.”

Larissa sighed happily. “I’ll bet it’s romantic here, that time of year. Not that I have anyone to be romantic with.”

Taryn wrinkled her nose. “Save me from too much sappiness.”

“Not one for twinkle lights?” Dellina asked, her voice teasing.

“Not really. But maybe it will be different. With Angel.”

Her voice changed as she spoke his name. It softened and deepened and made Dellina feel a little left out. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in love—probably because she never had been. There had been guys, but no one that special.

Larissa stood. “I’m going to get a refill. Anyone want one?”

“I’m good,” Dellina told her. She had to work later and too much tequila would make that impossible.

Taryn sat up. “I’ll stick with what I have.”

Larissa walked into the house. Taryn swung her legs toward Dellina and pulled off her sunglasses.

“I want to talk to you,” the other woman said, her blue-violet eyes intense.

“Sure. About the party? I’m open to suggestions.”

“God, no. You’re doing great with all that. I don’t want to be involved. I’m worried about Sam.”

“Okay,” Dellina said slowly, not sure what Taryn meant.

“Don’t break his heart.”