Shaken, Not Stirred

  Brody gives me a shove through the door even as he hands me a big grin. "Dude... you are preaching to the choir when you talk about how maddening our sister can be."

  Hunter walks through behind me and says, "In fact... I insist we do some serious drinking tonight and discuss her in detail. We're feeling a little compelled to help you out all we can because we like the direction Casey is going."

  Shaking my head, I can't do anything but follow Brody and Hunter back to the bar where they order more beer for me and Hunter, as well as a water for Brody. Then they lead me out past the pool tables toward the back deck. I cast a quick glance at Casey, whose lovely eyebrows raise in surprise, and then narrow back down in suspicion as she sees me walking out the door with her brothers. I merely shrug my shoulders and shoot her a confident wink, and I'm totally rewarded when she blows me a kiss across the bar.

  "Christ, I'm drunk," I mutter as Casey releases her hold around my waist and I fall down onto her bed.

  "You are so drunk," she says in agreement and starts working on my boots.

  "I might need you to do all the work tonight, baby," I slur at her with a sloppy grin as I raise my head off the mattress to look down at her. "You on top, but you can start by sucking my dick a little if you want."

  She snorts at me and gives a hard pull, taking one boot off my foot as my head falls back to the bed. "You're too drunk to have sex."

  "I'm never too drunk to do that," I maintain... also in a slurred voice. "In fact, I'm seeing three of you right now so that means three times as much beautiful Casey riding my cock tonight."

  Casey lets out a bark of a laugh as she pulls my other boot free. "You're hilarious when you're drunk."

  I smile... happy she finds me funny. Happy she likes drunk Tenn. Probably would be happier if she gave me a blow job, but happy nonetheless.

  "At least you warmed up to me tonight," I mutter as she crawls up onto the bed and lays her head on my chest. My arm comes around her waist, and I squeeze her into me.

  "Warmed up to you?" she asks quizzically.

  "Yeah... you were all aloof when we got there. Thought you were getting cold feet on me again, but then it didn't take long and you were all over me, baby."

  Casey gives me a quick pat to my chest. "Honey... you were all over me. I was just accommodating you."

  "Yeah... that's what I mean. You didn't push me away. You actually embraced our 'togetherness' in front of all your friends."

  "Well, you are kind of charming. You're also really hot and I was afraid if I didn't stake my claim on you, some other floozy would move in on my territory."

  "So, you like me, huh?" I ask as the room starts to spin a little bit. I latch on to Casey a little tighter in an effort to stabilize.

  "Just a little," she says, affectionately rubbing her cheek on my chest. I'm drunk, but I fucking feel that touch down to my toes.

  And because I'm drunk, I'll probably be forgiven for anything I say right now.

  And that makes me realize, I'm not so drunk that I can't rationalize the fact my inebriation will give me a free pass with Casey if I say something to spook her.

  Now my brain really starts working.

  Going to go ahead and lay it out there... I can blame it on the alcohol later if I wig her out.

  "So you like me a little?" I ask her, trying hard to annunciate clearly.

  "A little," she verifies.

  "That's good," I say. "Because I like you too."

  "That's sweet," she says, and I can actually hear the smile in her voice.

  "I mean... really, really like you."

  "Oh, well... in that case, I'll admit it... I really, really like you too."

  I roll quickly onto my side, coming almost nose to nose with Casey as she lies beside me. "I'm just going to go ahead and say it while I got the drunken balls to do it... but I'm falling for you kind of hard, Goldie."

  And apparently, I'm not so drunk that I miss the very brief and momentary flash of panic in Casey's eyes, but thankfully, it's immediately replaced by warmth. She gives me a slow smile, leans in, and kisses my chin. "How much of this conversation are you going to remember tomorrow?"

  "Probably not a word," I answer honestly.

  "Then I'll also go ahead and admit to you... I'm sort of, kind of, possibly falling hard for you too."

  "You mean that, Goldie?" I ask as my eyes search hers... which thankfully, I'm only seeing two of right now.

  "Yeah... for the first time in my life, I really mean it," she whispers, and my drunken heart soars.

  Reaching an arm out, I slip it around her waist and pull her back into me. Her face snuggles into the crook of my neck and her arm wraps around me.

  "Christ... I really hope I remember this tomorrow," I grunt before I close my eyes and pass out.

  Chapter 15

  Casey

  I never imagined in my life that I would consider being a biker babe. Well, and really... I'm not even sure what that means, but I know I do love riding on Tenn's motorcycle. I haven't done the whole braless, Harley tank top thing yet, but I could be persuaded if Tenn thought it was hot.

  Admittedly, I was nervous the first time I got on his bike but then I warmed up to it, and now I may possibly be addicted. I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the powerful engine rumbling between my legs or the hot, muscled man that's sitting in front of me.

  I'm surprised Tenn is even up and about today. I didn't expect him to get so drunk at Andrea's party last night, and I blame that completely on my brothers. They fed him beer after beer and proceeded to tell him every embarrassing story they could think of about me. I'm not sure what they were hoping to accomplish, but I'm pretty sure telling him I had a lazy eye when I was six years old wasn't helping.

  And sometimes, alcohol can be a blessing or a curse when it comes to loosening inhibitions, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it loosening Tenn's tongue last night. He was drunk, but I'm sure he was being completely straight up when he said he was falling hard for me.

  He's not the first man that has said words of that nature to me.

  He is, however, the first man that I've kept around after saying those words, and I can only take that to mean that for some reason, my psyche simply accepts Tenn and what he's telling me. I simply have to accept the fact that I'm changing and I'm becoming open to the possibility of actually having the first real relationship of my life with a man.

  Let's see... since meeting Tenn, I've gone out with a man that doesn't have a lot of money, I've invited him into my home, I've slept in bed with him all night, and hell... I've even cuddled.

  Me... Casey Markham. A cuddler.

  I've also shared something with him that I haven't even shared with my best friend. Or my family for that matter. Tenn Jennings is the only person on this earth that has somewhat of an understanding of why I did the things I did when it came to men. He may not know it all, but he at least knows more than anyone else, and that right there tells me something.

  It tells me I was being truthful when I told him last night that I was falling for him.

  Because I am so fucking falling for him.

  We cruise down the main drag on the way to my house. Tenn had picked me up after work, having spent part of the afternoon looking at the garage that was for sale after I'd put him in contact with a commercial realtor I knew. He offered to take me out for dinner, but because Zoey is coming tomorrow, I want to make sure to get the house absolutely cleaned and the guest bedroom made up. For some reason I don't even want to fathom, Zoey's mother insisted on bringing her, so that should be oodles of joy meeting Tenn's fruity ex-wife.

  I look at the grocery store as we slide by, thankful that I did my grocery shopping this morning. The parking lot is absolutely packed but Saturdays on the beach are big grilling and party days. Just as I start to turn my gaze back to the road, I catch a glimpse of a familiar face walking into the store, and my blood fires up nuclear hot from a surge of anger.

  Jeff Parkhurst.


  Without thinking, I tap Tenn on the shoulder and yell at him above the wind. "Turn around and go to the grocery store. I forgot to pick up something."

  He nods and gets us turned around, the sound of the engine barking loud at such a slow idle as we pull into the lot. "Just drop me off at the front door and I'll run in really quick," I tell him, and a spark of guilt fires up that I'm not being honest with Tenn as to why I'm here.

  But fuck... I don't know why I'm here. I just saw Jeff, got swamped with fury, and now feel the unmistakable need to confront this douche.

  I get off the bike when he brings it to a stop, quickly take off my helmet, and hand it to him. "You need anything?"

  "I'm good," he says with a smile, but then asks, "What are you getting? You had me lug up about forty bags of groceries to your house this morning."

  "Um... milk," I say and start to turn away.

  "You got milk," he says, and I turn back to look at him impatiently. "Yeah... but I only got skim and I like whole milk with my coffee."

  And damn... more guilt with how easily that lie came out of my mouth.

  "Gotcha," he says with a nod toward the rear of the lot. "I'm going to go find a spot to park over there."

  "Okay," I say, and then I spin toward the automatic glass doors. They swish open, and a blast of icy air conditioning hits me. I'm not sure if it's the chilled air or the ice in my veins, but I rub my arms a bit to warm them up.

  I immediately start walking across the front of the store, looking down each aisle as I go along. Finally, I see him... halfway down the beer and wine aisle, perusing the various microbrews for sale. Taking a deep breath, I push it out hard and start walking his way. I'm going to tell him off, and I'm not going to be quiet about it.

  When I get up close to him, Jeff's head turns my way, and for a brief moment, just the tiniest of blips really, I appreciate how good looking he is. But I know outer beauty doesn't mean shit on the inside.

  I'm a prime example of that.

  Jeff's eyes round wide with surprise, and he gives me a blinding smile. "Oh, my God. Casey Markham? Is that you?"

  Suddenly, my mind goes blank and I can do nothing more than nod at him dumbly. He steps forward and wraps his arms around me, dragging me in for a hug. Weakly, my arms go around his neck as he pulls me in close and murmurs. "It's so good to see you."

  When he releases me, I take a small step back. His gaze travels up and down my body, making absolutely no effort to hide the gleam of appreciation in his eyes. He even pulls his chin back and says, "Damn girl... you are still just as smokin' hot as you were in high school."

  Greasy tremors race up my spine as his eyes linger on my breasts, and I have to resist the overwhelming urge to slap him across the face. So many things I want to say but again, he doesn't give me a chance.

  "Listen... I'm only in town for another few nights. Any chance you'd let me take you to dinner tonight?" He says this in a low, husky voice while still staring at my breasts. "You know... for old time's sake?"

  Of all the sleazy, scummy things that he could say to me, that is something I didn't expect. But then again, Jeff has no clue the bitter feelings I've harbored for him for going on eight years. I should blast him out about it now, but when I see the hunger in his eyes and the way he is mentally undressing me... already figuring it's a foregone conclusion he can take me out to dinner tonight and then talk me in to bed, I am struck with sudden brilliance.

  I'm going to make him suffer far more than just a berating from me. I'm going to make him think he's good enough to have me, and then I'm going to make sure he dies of blue balls when I refuse him.

  I give him a bright smile, wrap my finger around my lock of my hair to twirl it all bimbo-style, and cock a hip out sexily. Then I start calculating how to make this all go down.

  First, I need information though, because I want to know exactly how far I can make him fall. "So, are you married or seeing anyone?" I ask innocently. Of course, I know the answer to this because Gabby told me he has a fiancee.

  And even though I really expected no different, my stomach recoils when he shakes his head and says, "Nope. Absolutely single."

  Liar! What a fucking liar and my anger starts surging again.

  "What about you?" he asks as he glances down at my left hand.

  I'm sorry, Tenn, I think to myself. "Nope. Single and free."

  "So... how about dinner? And then maybe after, we could um... figure out something fun to do," he says as he dips his head lower toward me. I actually have to lock my knees to stop myself from inadvertently bolting away from him.

  "Dinner sounds fabulous," I purr at him even as I push past my nausea. "And I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of 'fun' we could have after dinner."

  "Eight o'clock? La Papillon," he says lecherously, and really... I'm surprised he's even offering me dinner based on the way his eyes continually rove over me. I expect at any moment he's going to throw me down on the grocery store floor and start humping my leg or something.

  "Eight sounds perfect. Gives me just enough time to get home and get showered," I say, and then reach into my purse for a pen. I click it on and then take his hand in mine, turning his palm up. "Here's my address."

  I take my time writing my address and even put a little heart beneath it, quelling my urge to vomit over the ludicrous act I'm putting on. I wonder what the maitre'd will think seeing me in there again. I'm sure he'll remember me from the way Tenn pulled me out of there.

  Jeff glances down at the writing on his palm and then back up at me with glittering eyes. I think it's the first time he's looked at my face since the hug.

  Movement at the end of the aisle catches my attention and I look past Jeff's shoulder to see Tenn standing there looking at me curiously. I hold up a finger to him to wait, turning back to Jeff to whisper. "Can't wait to see you tonight."

  "And I can't wait to see you... all of you tonight," he says almost on a half moan that gives me the freakin' willies. I give him a smile, hope he can't see the distaste in my eyes, and scoot past him.

  When I reach the end of the aisle, I turn toward the front door as Tenn walks behind me. "What about the milk, Casey?"

  "I decided to stick to skim," I say offhandedly as we make it back through the automatic doors. I don't want Jeff to see me with Tenn. I don't want anything to happen that will thwart my plan for revenge tonight.

  "Who was that you were talking to?" Tenn asks casually as we walk side by side through the parking lot.

  "Jeff." I answer him honestly because I have no intention of hiding this from Tenn.

  Tenn's hand on my arm stops me in my tracks. "Jeff, as in THE Jeff?"

  "That's the one," I say, pulling my arm free. "Now hurry... I need to get home because he's picking me up at eight for dinner at La Papillon."

  Tenn puts a vice-grip hold on my elbow this time and I expect him to pull me to a stop again, but instead, he propels me forward to the back of the lot where his bike is located. His long legs eat up the distance and I have to trot to keep up with him, which is fine by me... I need to hurry so I can get ready.

  When we reach the bike, Tenn spins me around and his face is thunderous. "What the fuck? Are you going out with that guy tonight?"

  "Yes, but it's not what it seems because--"

  "You're going out with the same guy that for whatever reasons caused you to lock yourself away from relationships?"

  "Yes," I tell him impatiently. "I had this idea--"

  "Jesus fucking Christ, Casey," Tenn barks at me, and his eyes are blazing with fury. He steps up to me, leaning down before gritting out, "You're fucking going out with another man?"

  "To get revenge," I assure him quickly and then attempt a confident smile. "Make him suffer."

  Tenn spins away, drags his hands through his hair, and then clasps both of them behind his neck. He turns back to look at me and shakes his head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm entertaining this stupid as fuck idea, but just exactly how are
you going to make him suffer by going out with him tonight?"

  "I'm going to make him crazy with wanting me. I'm going to make him think he actually has a chance with me. I'm going to make him beg like a dog, and then I'm going to tell him fuck off because he's not good enough for me."

  I think it's a brilliant plan now that I just said it out loud.

  Tenn just stares at me hard, a muscle popping at the corner of his jaw. Then he quietly asks, "And just how are you going to drive him crazy?"

  "Well, I'm not sure--"

  Stepping back into me, Tenn wraps his huge hand around the front of my throat, gripping me lightly. He pushes up, causing my face to tilt so I can't help but look at him. "Are you going to touch him?"

  "That's probably--"

  His hand squeezes a little. "Are you going to give him a bit of a hand job first? Just to work him up good?"

  "Tenn, that's--"

  His hand now tugs on me, raising me on my tiptoes until his nose is almost touching mine. With barely controlled rage, Tenn asks so softly. "Are you going to let him kiss that mouth? Especially after you used it on my cock just this morning?"

  "Please, Tenn. You have to understand--"

  He releases his hold on me abruptly and asks in a strangled voice that causes my heart to squeeze painfully. "Are you going to do any of those things, Casey?"

  "No," I say immediately, and I know it's true. While I may not have thought this plan through all the way, Tenn has made me consider my options, and there is no way in hell I can let that sleaze touch me. My body belongs to Tenn and no one else at this point in my life.

  "It's a stupid plan, Goldie," he murmurs. "I don't know what this guy did to you, but it's not worth breaking down everything you've been working to build up."

  "What do you mean?" I ask cautiously.

  "I mean, you become just like him if you engage in this mind fuck."

  "I am nothing like him," I snarl, stepping forward. Poking him in the chest, I say, "You have no idea what he did so you can't possibly know how important this is to me."

  "Then tell me," Tenn pleads as his arms come to my shoulders. "Tell me what he did and let me kick his ass for you, but don't go through with this."