“Wow,” Gray murmured. “I just never imagined Beth . . . I mean, um . . . wow.”
Groaning, Suzy said, “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I don’t even know how to process this. Things were much easier when I thought my sister was the innocent little wallflower seduced by your gigolo brother. At least then I would have a clear course of action. Kick his ass and then help her pick up the pieces. Now I’m in the uncomfortable position of feeling like I need to protect Nick from my cougar sister.”
Gray gave her shoulders a squeeze and laughed. “Trust me, baby, my brother has never been innocent a day in his life, so don’t make him the saint here. He might have been swayed the first time, but unless Beth had him chained up somewhere, he’s been sleeping with her all this time of his own free will.”
Suzy turned and wrapped herself around Gray. When his lips settled onto hers, she felt the world slip away, as it always did whenever he touched her.
* * *
Beth smiled as she pulled into her parking space in front of her apartment and saw Nick’s Audi in her other space. For weeks he had been driving a minivan that he had rented while his car was in the shop. The van really had come in handy while Suzy was on crutches with a broken ankle. The three of them had gotten rather attached to it and, even though he wouldn’t admit it, she thought Nick had been a little sad to see it go as well. The Audi R8 definitely suited him more though—a two-door sports car that he adored. Beth had to admit, she felt a bit like a bad girl when she rode in it. It might not be sensible, but man was it sexy.
As she stepped in front of her door on the second floor, it suddenly flung open. “God, Beth, where have you been? You got off work hours ago. I called you several times and no answer. I was afraid something had happened to you.”
Beth was surprised to see Nick visibly disheveled. “Um, sorry, you knew I was meeting Suzy for a drink after work.”
“That was hours ago. Where the hell did you go for a drink, Atlanta? I called you, Suzy, and Gray. Have you all stopped answering your damn phones?”
Good grief, what had gotten into him? Sure, she was a little later than usual, but she hadn’t thought he would notice, much less be upset about it. Walking over to him, she went up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt the familiar desire start to hum through her body as she looked at his handsome features. Nick Merimon was every woman’s wet dream. He made her heart pound and her body go slick with need in an instant. He turned her into a wanton, intent only on having his body any way she could.
With Nick, she could pretend that she was someone else. There was freedom with him because he never knew “fat Beth.” She didn’t think she could ever be comfortable dating—much less sleeping with—anyone who knew her when she was heavier. In her mind, they would be turned off by who she used to be. She felt like someone other than that plain, overweight girl she’d always been when she was with Nick. In his eyes, she was pretty and sexy and that is exactly how she felt with him.
Beth had come to the realization a while back that in order to find someone to spend her life with, she would have to date outside her circle and, boy, had she been. Things had gotten complicated when she became involved with Nick and suddenly her two worlds were colliding.
The feel of Nick’s warm mouth against the side of her neck had her ni**les suddenly standing at attention. God, did that man know how to use his tongue. Outside the impressive package between his legs, that had become her favorite part of him. When did I turn into such a guy? Shouldn’t I be concerned about his feelings or love him for his mind or at least his sense of humor? Instead, I just lust after his body. I’m a T and A girl now. Well, tongue and ass that is.
Between nips to her lower lip, Nick growled, “I missed you today, princess.”
Beth smiled at him. She knew this was a part of his whole seduction routine. If she ever let herself believe that she was special to him, then she was finished. Nick was an all-around good guy and he really loved women. He not only wanted you to feel special while making love, he wanted you to feel special before and after. It was probably why women seemed to love him even when he was showing them the door. It was one of the things she respected about him. He would go a mile out of his way to keep from hurting someone’s feelings, especially a woman’s feelings.