And now that they could share descriptions of Phil and Whitney, Cannon insisted on making the rounds with his contacts on the street. It was possible someone would recognize one of them.
“You should still be honeymooning,” Denver told him.
With deep satisfaction, Cannon smiled. “We have a lifetime, and I’m pretty sure the honeymoon isn’t ever going to end.”
Good-natured jokes ensued, but nothing dented Cannon’s satisfaction. Stack had to hand it to him; Cannon made marriage look pretty damned appealing.
His gaze sought Vanity, and of course, seeing her meant he wanted her. Now. Tomorrow.
Always.
With everyone up to speed, the group dispersed, each guy going after his lady. Leese headed back to the table to reclaim his drink, but by then, only Merissa remained.
Telling himself to be patient, to give Vanity the night out that she deserved, Stack followed her to the pool tables. He could take a few hours, but he wasn’t sure he’d last any longer than that.
Tonight, as promised, he’d show her how much he cared. Given what he felt for her, it just might take all night.
* * *
LEESE KICKED BACK the rest of his drink, told Merissa to have fun, and headed for the john. He was in the hallway when he felt a hand touch his arm.
Turning, he realized Merissa had followed. She stood so close, he could see her individual eyelashes. Lifting a brow in query, he backed up a pace. “What’s up?”
Her small pink tongue came out to slick over her lips. “You in a hurry?”
Confusion pulled at his brows, and, yeah, he’d noticed her tongue. “Not really.” She blushed, and he got instantly wary. “Everything okay?”
With a lot of uncertainty, she stepped closer again.
Ah, hell. A dozen different thoughts scrambled. Here in the hallway it was quieter, cooler. More intimate.
“Rissy...” he started, trying to fight off the temptation. Not easy, because part of him wanted to take her hand and find a little privacy.
The better part, the more reasonable part, told him something more was going on. He’d spent plenty of time letting the other fighters know he understood the boundaries. With Denver and Cherry, he’d almost screwed up. But instead of hating him, they’d included him in the training. He was a better fighter for it.
Hopefully, too, a better man.
Being still new to the group, he didn’t want to do even the smallest thing to lose their trust.
Getting busy with Merissa would be far from small. It’d be gigantic.
He leaned back on the wall and smiled at her. “What’s going on, hon?”
For a single second she stared at him, then with a gigantic sigh she dropped against the wall beside him. Shoulders touching, she said, “You aren’t interested, right?”
He nudged her gently. “It’s the other way around.”
Her head lifted, and she turned to him. “What?”
“If you were actually interested in me, I’d be on it in a New York minute.”
Teasing, she said, “It?”
Leese’s gaze dipped over her. He popped his neck, determined not to waver, but she looked so damned cute. Tall, with every inch slim but shapely. “You,” he said, nodding at her face, then looking down. “Your body.”
She glanced down at herself, too.
“Sex,” he growled more deeply than he’d intended.
Her gaze shot back to his. “Really?”
Leese nodded. “But I’m not the guy you’re into.”
Her shoulders slumped. “The guy I’m into isn’t into me.”
“Just give him a little more time. I don’t know him well enough to say for sure, but seems to me he’s fighting too many battles right now.” Leese nudged her again. “Besides, I like you, and I like having you as a friend. If we did the nasty, everything would change.”
“The nasty,” she repeated with a grin.
Unable to resist, Leese leaned in and, voice low and husky, said near her ear, “Nasty, nice and smoldering hot.” He settled back a safe distance.
Rissy looked suitably impressed.
He nodded, fighting a grin. “Guaranteed.” Chucking her chin, he said, “But not for gal pals.”
After a big blink, she laughed and punched his shoulder. “You’re dangerous.”
“Got ya thinking, huh?” He winked, then made himself move away, to not take advantage. “You see any willing women even half as hot as you, spread the good word for me, okay?”
“Sure thing. And, Leese?”
“Yeah?”