Tough Love

Interest sparked in her eyes. “And am I?”

“A distraction?” Always. Even when she wasn’t around. Most especially at night when he tried to sleep, when substitute women didn’t measure up, when... Shit. “We’re jawing, aren’t we?”

For too long, maybe drawing wrong conclusions, she studied him. “If Cannon hadn’t sent me, would you be thinking...things? I mean, about them naked and—”

“There you go again,” he answered softly, mesmerized by her curiosity as always. “Putting thoughts in my head.”

This time her foot nudged his. “I’m serious.”

Should he tell her the truth? That instead of thinking about a gaggle of gorgeous women naked in the shower, he’d taken a melancholy stroll down memory lane? Fuck that.

“I was just thinking.” He let his head drop back against the concrete block wall. “But not about them.”

She nodded. “Good.” Drawing back, she stammered, “I mean, the guys would be glad to hear that.”

Don’t do it, don’t do it— “And you?” Shut up, Armie. But for some reason, he couldn’t. Maybe because he’d be entering the SBC instead of smaller local venues. Maybe because, as Cannon had insisted, it was time. Past time.

Maybe because he was tired of being a fraud.

He let his foot rest against hers, watched her eyes flare over the simple touch, and couldn’t help wondering about touching her in better, hotter ways. “What would you say if I told you I was thinking about them?”

Focused on their feet, she didn’t answer.

That amused him. Sweet, innocent Rissy. His best friend’s baby sis.

His kinkiest fantasy—and that said a lot, because if there was one thing Armie knew, it was kink.

She also starred in other fantasies, those that were less sexual and more...emotional. Heavier. Sweeter.

More real.

Heart beating harder, he prompted her again. “Rissy?”

Her gaze shot up to lock on his. A deep inhale drew his attention to her breasts. Her lips parted. “I—”

Clustered together in a gossipy group, the ladies stepped into the hall. Vanity, who’d been looking at Cherry as she spoke, tripped over Armie’s outstretched legs before he could withdraw them.

Yelping, on her way to meeting the floor, Vee threw out her arms. Acting on instinct, Armie rolled under her and managed to break her fall.

She landed awkwardly against his chest, her boobs in his face, one of his hands on her ass.

Yvette and Cherry fell into each other laughing.

Straightening, Vanity joined them.

Armie readjusted his hold, and when she remained sitting on his thighs, he squeezed her. “Brat. My hands were in forbidden territory. Stack’s going to murder me.”

“My fault,” Vanity said around her continued hilarity. “Stack will be glad I didn’t break my nose.”

“It was my fault for occupying the hallway.” He looked to Merissa—and realized she’d left. He swiveled his head in time to see her backside turn the corner and disappear.

Well, damn.

Vanity cupped his cheek. “You’re getting smarter, Armie. Don’t disillusion me, okay?”

He didn’t like the way she said that. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning I consider you kind as well as sexual.” Her pat to his cheek was a little harder than necessary. “You deserve it all.”

Leaving him confused and a little antagonistic, she scrambled back to her feet, but then bent low to add, “You made some strides tonight. Keep it up.”

He was still lying there, his frown so fierce it made his temples throb, when all three ladies walked off, their heads together as they whispered.

About him.

Vee had it wrong. Merissa was the one who deserved it all.

Unfortunately, he probably wouldn’t be the one to give it to her.

* * *

NEVER BEFORE HAD the locker room smelled of flowers, but after the women left it, the scents of feminine lotion and perfume had lingered.

And exacerbated Stack’s lust.

By the time he reached Vanity’s house, anticipation had him semi-erect. With winter rolling in, the evening air had a definite nip to it, but it didn’t help cool him down. Nothing would, except sex with Vanity.

Tonight she had plenty of outside lights on, and she’d parked her car in the garage.

He went up the walkway, each step ramping up his urgency.

Twice he reminded himself that he couldn’t just rush her off to bed. She deserved better than that.

She deserved more than her original bargain, and so did he.