Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

“They both already have kids,” Larissa continued. “The pressure is on for me to settle down and produce grandchildren. I finally had to threaten to never speak to my mom again to get her to stop.”


“Intense,” Dellina murmured, thinking she wouldn’t mind a little pressure from her mother. Or complaints or any kind of conversation at all. Because that would mean they weren’t gone. Not that she would say that to her friend.

“You did so well,” Isabel said as they approached. “Congratulations. Everyone has been raving about the party. It was fun and went smoothly. Brace yourself—you’re going to get a lot of business out of this.”

“That would be nice,” Dellina said. “I like to stay busy.”

She pulled out a chair. Larissa sat next to her.

“The people seemed really nice,” Patience told her. “They came into my store and tipped really well. I appreciate that.”

Dellina grinned. “I’ll pass on your approval.”

Noelle hurried in and joined them. She hugged Dellina. “You kicked butt! Yay you. I can’t tell you how much your people bought at the store. It was a very happy Saturday for me.”

Before Dellina could respond, the door opened again. Taryn and Lark walked in together. Dellina felt herself starting to blush. Oh, no. Not Lark. She would take one look at Dellina and know instantly what had happened. Dellina looked for an exit, but before she could find one, the other two women had joined them.

Taryn hugged her. “My new favorite person ever. You were fabulous. Everyone had a great time. The weekend was perfect. You’re a goddess.”

“I wish,” Dellina murmured. “But I did enjoy the corporate aspect of it.”

Taryn settled next to her. “You should look for more accounts like that. What about CDS? They have those corporate weekends but it’s really just about the obstacle courses.”

“She’s right,” Patience added. “Justice has to work with the companies all the time, telling them what’s in town and where to stay. He really doesn’t like it.” She leaned forward. “You should get together with him and talk about coordinating a package or something. Where he can just give them your name and you can pull meetings together.”

“I’d like that,” Dellina admitted. Plus, if Sam was able to show her what she was doing wrong with her bookkeeping, she might be more financially successful. And wouldn’t that be nice?

She smiled at Lark, thinking a distraction would keep the other woman from reading her aura or whatever it was she did. “You were brilliant. Everyone loved your lecture.”

“That’s true.” Taryn grinned. “I’m sure there was a lot of sex happening in the hotel that night.”

“I hope so.” Lark reached for her water. “It’s so nice when a couple who’s been together for a long time finds a new level of sexual energy and compatibility.”

“Where do you go next?” Larissa asked her.

“New Orleans. Reggie and I will drive there. We’ll have a week on our own, then have a small seminar. Only five couples who want to experience the ultimate pleasure.”

Dellina felt her eyes widen. She glanced at Isabel, who looked about as startled as she felt.

Patience’s mouth formed a perfect O. “So you show them what they should be doing?” she asked, her voice sounding slightly incredulous.

“Yes. We start with some basic techniques, then quickly go through to the more advanced positions, breathing and pressure points. Each couple will have an opportunity to make love in front of us so we can offer suggestions.”

Even Taryn looked startled at that one. “I don’t think I would be up for the pressure.”

“There’s no pressure,” Lark told her. “We’re there to be supportive. Sometimes one of the partners can have a little trouble getting aroused. We have ways of dealing with that.”

Larissa leaned toward Dellina. “I can’t decide if I want to ask what they are or stick my fingers in my ears and hum.”

“I know. It’s really scary.”

Jo walked over and discussed the specials, then handed out menus. Other people arrived to have lunch. A few of the women had small children with them.

During the lunch hour, there was a play area set up in one of the corners. Mothers with toddlers could lunch and watch their kids at the same time. Lark looked over at two little girls sharing a miniature stove.

“I remember when my girls were that small,” she said wistfully. “We were all so happy. I breast-fed them until they were ready to move on to a glass. Both my girls waited until they were nearly four, but Sam wanted a sippy cup by the time he was eighteen months. He was always independent.” She smiled at the memory. “I encouraged my children to be naked as much as possible, to be comfortable with their bodies, but Sam wouldn’t have it. He insisted on getting dressed every day. Such a little man.”