Текст книги "Sweet Seduction"

Автор книги: Maya Banks

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

Chapter 3

Julie hopped out of her sporty two-seater and walked up to Damon Roche's front door. He and Serena were both at home, according to Serena anyway, and supposedly Serena had warmed him up for Julie's request.

Of course Serena might still be mad over Julie and Faith kidnapping her a while back, so Julie couldn't be totally sure that Damon would have a clue why she was here.

She knocked on the door and blinked when a large man wearing shades answered. She squinted for a few seconds as she stared at him.

"Dude, you look straight out of the Mafia," Julie blurted. "I tried to tell Serena that Damon was probably a drug dealer."

To her surprise, Big Dude broke into a grin. "You must be Miss Stanford. Miss James is expecting you."

"And not Mr. Roche?" Damn Serena.

"Mr. Roche is expecting you as well," he returned smoothly. "They're in the living room."

She followed him inside the gorgeously furnished house. No wonder Serena had agreed to move in. Compared to Serena's tiny apartment, this was a freaking palace.

They walked into the living room, where Julie was surprised to see a fire burning in the hearth. Damon sat on the couch and Serena was beside him, her head in his lap as he stroked her hair.

"Miss Stanford is here."

Damon turned, and Serena scrambled up, her long black hair falling over her shoulders in disarray.

"Thank you, Sam," Damon said. "Would you have Carol bring refreshment for our guest? Julie, would you care for some wine?"

She grimaced. "Beer, if you have it."

Damon smiled. "Of course. Sam, have Carol bring Julie a beer. Serena and I will take wine."

Serena got up and hurried over to Julie. Julie found herself in a hug as Serena squeezed fiercely.

"You have to tell me how it went with Nathan," Serena murmured.

Julie grinned. "Just like I planned. And now I'm here for part two of the plan."

Serena rolled her eyes as she backed away.

"You did tell Damon why I wanted to see him, right?" Julie asked anxiously.

"She did," Damon said with amusement. "Sort of. She said she'd leave the actual details for you to explain but that you were interested in using my facilities for a little fantasy fulfillment."

"Yeah," Julie said wistfully. "I'm totally down for some great sex."

Damon laughed, and that's why Julie liked him. He didn't have an uptight, judgmental bone in his body. Plus, he loved Serena to pieces, and what woman wouldn't want that kind of guy for her friend?

"Come sit, Julie. You can fill me in on these fantasies of yours while we wait for your beer."

"Hell, I might need a few beers before I can tell you about them," she muttered.

Serena snorted and took Julie's arm to guide her toward the couch. "Like you've ever been shy. Come sit down and tell Damon what it is you want. As long as it doesn't involve him personally, I'm cool with it."

Julie sent Serena a sly glance as the two settled onto the couch. "You're sounding possessive, girlfriend. Dare I ask whether or not Damon has persuaded you to accept his proposal yet?"

"Julie, shut up," Serena hissed.

"Not yet," Damon said calmly. "But I will." He winked at Julie, and she smiled back.

"I don't know why you don't just put the guy out of his misery," Julie muttered under her breath to Serena. "It's obvious he's over the moon mad about you."

Julie liked to give Serena shit when it came to Damon, but she was hugely relieved that Serena was taking her time deciding, even if Julie did think Damon was pretty terrific. Julie liked him a lot, but she wasn't convinced he was right for Serena long term, or maybe that Serena wasn't right for him long term.

"You're here to talk about you," Serena said sweetly. "Don't make me throw you out of my house before you get to plead your case."

Julie threw back her head and laughed. "Alrighty then." She looked over at Damon. "Faith told me she came to you when she wanted some help in the fantasy fulfillment area."

Damon sat down in the armchair catty-corner to the sofa and propped one long leg over his knee. "Not exactly. Faith wasn't looking for a fantasy. She was looking for something very real." He smiled and looked over at Serena. "Serena was the one looking for a fantasy."

"They both ended up with the real deal. Yeah, I know," Julie said impatiently. "I'm not after reality here. I don't want a permanent fixture. I want hot sex with two gorgeous specimens, and I want it.. . anonymously."

She held her breath while she waited for Damon to react. Serena was quicker. While Damon didn't look overly disturbed by her announcement, Serena turned sharply.

"Have you lost your mind, Julie? Anonymous? And you thought I was the crazy one."

"No, I've got it all figured out," Julie said patiently. "I don't want messy entanglements. Been there, done that, can certainly live without it. I wanted hot sex with Nathan, and clearly that didn't work out. So I'm thinking the best way to go about this is to set up a situation where I have no idea who my hot guys are. We all get great sex out of it and go our merry way afterward."

"How anonymous are you wanting, exactly?" Damon asked.

She looked at him gratefully, relieved that he was at least taking her request seriously. "So anonymous that I don't know who they are or what they look like ... at any part of it," she said cheerfully.

Serena groaned. "Good God, Julie, what do you want? For them to blindfold you?"

"Yes. Exactly."

"Talk some sense into her, Damon," Serena pleaded.

"Can't do that, love," he said fondly. "What if she'd been able to talk you out of your crazy idea of wanting to be my sex slave?"

"For the love of God," Serena muttered.

Julie grinned. "He's right, you know. You could very well be standing in the way of my future happiness."

"You don't believe that load of horse manure anymore than I do," Serena said.

Laughter escaped Julie, and she shoved playfully at Serena. "No, I don't, you heifer, but you could at least give me my own rope to hang myself with. I may have thought you were nuts, but I didn't tie your ass to a chair to prevent you from signing up for slavery."

"Very true," Serena said with a sigh. "But can I at least talk you out of the blindfolds? It seems so . . . scary."

"It's part of the appeal," Damon said evenly. "Think about it, Serena mine. Total darkness. Having to rely on all your other senses. Touch. Taste. Smell. The feel of strange hands on your body, awakening all those senses."

A warm flush stole over Julie. Damn but the man was good.

"I don't want any emotional attachment," Julie said. "I just want two men concentrating on me and my pleasure. No slave shit, please. Unless they want to be mine," she added with a grin. "Minions to do my bidding would be great too."

"You're incorrigible," Serena said as she chuckled.

"No, just desperate and horny."

Damon broke into laughter, and Serena closed her eyes and touched her forehead with her hand.

"Surely there are men at your pleasure palace who wouldn't mind fucking a woman's brains out," she said to Damon.

"Pleasure palace? That sounds so . . . cheesy." He actually looked affronted.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "House of loooove then?"

He cracked a grin. "You don't want love, remember?"

"Damn straight. Thanks for that reminder."

"But yes, I'm sure there are any number of men who would be more than willing to take you on," he said as he fought another smile. "We'll do the usual background checks, medical histories, et cetera. Give me a week or so to get everything together and I'll do my best to give you your fantasy."

"If it's not asking too much, I'd like to schedule two nights. Now, ahead of time. I don't want to deal with the awkwardness of doing another after the first night, and if it's already set up, then I don't have to stress about it."

 "Of course," Damon agreed. "But if you decide it's not to your liking or if there's anything you want me to change, let me know."

Julie put her hands together in front of her and grinned in delight. "Thanks, Damon. You're the best."

He shrugged. "It's the least I can do to repay you for kidnapping Serena for me."

Serena glowered at both of them, but Julie didn't miss the flash of emotion in Serena's eyes as she looked at Damon.

"I need more details as well," Damon continued. "If you aren't comfortable giving them now, you can e-mail me later, but I need specifics. Boundaries. The do-not-cross lines."

Julie cocked her head and thought for a moment. "I don't have a problem telling you now. I'm not into bondage shit. No way I want to be tied down with strange men, even if I asked for strange men."

Serena laughed and shook her head.

"A blindfold is all I really require because I don't want to know. Don't want to see them, although I'm counting on you not to give me anyone hideous," Julie said.

"Now why the hell should you care if they're hideous if you're blindfolded?" Serena asked in exasperation.

"It's the principle," Julie said. She looked back at Damon. "And no small dicks. If I'm going for the gusto, I want to be treated right."

Damon's shoulders shook as he tried valiantly to keep his composure. "No small dicks. Got it. Anything else?"

"Just give me someone who knows what to do with a big dick," Julie said. "I don't want to have to coach the guy. I want a man who knows what to do with a woman."

"I think I can handle that," he said. "Blindfolds and big dicks. Shouldn't be too difficult."

Then he lost it and started to laugh. Julie grinned before she started chuckling along with him. Serena shook her head but burst into laughter as well.

"I always swore Damon wasn't a pimp, but now I'm not so sure," Serena said ruefully.

"Hey," he said in protest. "Can I help it if desperate women keep throwing themselves at me and begging me to help?"

"He's got you there," Julie said as she dug her elbow into Serena's side. "Between you, me and Faith, the man's got enough experience to run a whorehouse."

"Oh, I'm sure he had plenty of experience before we came along," Serena said dryly.

"Maybe we can retire him after he hooks me up," Julie said mischievously.

"Now I sound like a stud horse," Damon muttered. "Serena better damn well not retire me out to pasture."

Serena smiled that silly, goopy smile she got whenever she looked at Damon, the one that made Julie slightly nauseous. Julie cleared her throat before both of them dissolved into slimy little puddles.

"Okay then, if everything's set, I'm gonna skate on out of here and leave you two to do your slave thing."

"For God's sake, Julie," Serena groaned. "Do you ever just shut up?"

Julie blew her a kiss as she got up. "No, but you love me anyway."

"I do but damned if I know why," Serena said wearily as she got up from the couch.

"I'll be in touch, Julie," Damon said as he rose.

"Thanks, Damon. I really appreciate this." She turned to Serena. "I'll see you later this week for your massage, right?"

"You aren't afraid that Nathan will barge in?" Serena asked.

Julie snorted. "I'll just lock up. You and Faith are my only appointments. Besides, he hasn't been around in a few days. Stung pride and all that. He'll get over it and move on. I know I have."

"Just how hung up are you on Julie Stanford?" Micah asked Nathan as they sat down at Cattleman's to eat lunch.

"What the fuck kind of question is that?" Nathan demanded.

It was bad enough that Julie had completely messed with his mind, but now he was fielding comments from the guys about how fucked up he was over the woman.

"Its a simple question," Micah said calmly. "Either you are or you aren't."

"Nothing is simple when you ask it," Nathan grumbled.

"So?"

"So fucking what?" Nathan snarled. "Give it a rest, man. You know what happened. If a gorgeous woman came on to you, sucked you dry and then off, what the fuck would you do?"

"Toss her over my shoulder and lock us in a room for a week?" Micah said with a grin.

"I'm tempted ... if I could find the wench."

"I just happen to know where she'll be this weekend," Micah said casually.

Nathan pinned him with a stare. "And how would you know that?"

Micah smiled. Smug bastard. "I have my ways."

"Cut the crap, will you?"

Micah gripped his beer bottle and tilted it back, taking a long swig. When he lowered it again, he looked long and hard at Nathan. "There's a reason I'm asking how hung up on her you are."

"And that is?" Nathan asked.

"Because apparently she's serious about leaving you in her dust."

Nathan snorted and downed the last of his beer. "Tell me something I don't know."

"Normally I wouldn't even tell you this, because I usually side with the women, but I think you have a thing for her."

Nathan blew out his breath in irritation. Nice to know he was so fucking transparent. But how transparent could he be if Julie hadn't even figured it out? Hell, she thought he'd spent the last few months ignoring her. As if any breathing man could ever not notice that woman.

"Yeah, maybe," he said grudgingly.

"Well, she's hooked up this weekend for some hot, anonymous sex at Damon's place. And the following weekend as well."

Nathan's jaw dropped about the time the beer bottle fell out of his hand and hit the floor.

"What?"

Micah eyed him cautiously, and maybe he did look a little deranged. He couldn't very well act calm, when he felt like a volcano about to erupt.

"Run that by me again," Nathan growled. "Use short words. Don't leave anything out. What the fuck is she doing at Damon fucking Roche's sex club?"

Micah snickered. "I wasn't even sure you had any idea about The House."

"I wouldn't if I hadn't overheard you and Gray talking about the time he hauled Faith out of there. Faith, for Christ's sake. If I had any inkling she was wandering in there, I would have snatched her out by her hair. I can't believe Damon allowed her in there. I know he's your friend, but that was ridiculous."

"Maybe Faith isn't the innocent you like to make her out to be," Micah said in amusement.

Nathan glared at Micah. "We're talking about Julie, remember? And I sure as hell don't think she's innocent, but I damn well don't want her fucking some stranger with Damon's blessing either. What the hell is he running, some kind of pimp service?"

"Look, I'm not telling you this so you can stop it. Last I checked, you weren't Julie's keeper, and I doubt she'd allow that anyway." His lips twitched as he obviously fought laughter. "But Julie's request was for anonymous sex. She wants to be blindfolded. Do you see an opportunity here?"

Nathan stared at Micah in stupefaction. "Blindfolded? Has she lost her damn mind? What's to stop this joker from hurting her?"

"Jokers," Micah corrected.

"What?"

"There's more than one."

Nathans fingers curled into a fist. "You're shitting me. You're doing this to yank my chain, aren't you?"

Micah licked his lips as he struggled with his composure.

"And would you quit laughing at me already?" Nathan demanded.

Micah dropped his head and laughed. He laughed so hard that tears were streaming from his eyes. Nathan wanted nothing more than to kick his ass.

"I'm not shitting you, man," Micah said as he gasped for breath. "She wants hot sex with more than one guy. She wants to be blindfolded but not tied up. She wants the fantasy of anonymity."

"Fuck me," Nathan swore. "That's going to happen over my dead body."

"Oh? And how do you plan to stop it? Damon's not going to let you within a mile of The House if your plan is to barge in, fists swinging. He runs a very civilized place."

"Civilized, my ass. What's civilized about treating women like pieces of meat?"

Micah raised an eyebrow. "Knowing what you do about me, do you honestly think I would have let Julie walk into that kind of situation if I wasn't sure that Damon would take damn good care of her?"

Nathan leaned forward. "And I'd ask what the hell business of it is yours what Julie does or doesn't do."

"She's friends with Faith and Serena. I'd look out for her just like I do those two," he said evenly. "What business of it is yours? Why do you care, Nathan?"

"Fuck you," Nathan muttered.

"Admit it, you care. It's eating you alive to know that she's going to be fucking some other guy this weekend when you're dying to get into her pants."

"It ain't going to happen," Nathan said belligerently.

"What, you getting into her pants?" Micah asked.

Nathan turned up his middle finger at Micah. "What ain't going to happen is her having anonymous sex with some goddamn stranger."

"And you plan to prevent this how?"

Fuck if he knew. He didn't know this Damon guy as well as Micah did, but Micah could fix that, couldn't he? And hell, if she was that bent on having anonymous sex, he could be as anonymous as the next guy.

A slow grin spread across his face. That was it. He'd exact a little payback for the way she'd played him in the salon with the added benefit of not letting her fuck another man. She wouldn't need another guy when he finished with her.

"I'm not liking the look on your face right now," Micah said warily. "You only get that look when you're plotting. Usually against me."

"I think we should have a beer with your buddy, Damon," Nathan suggested. "Like tonight."

Micah grinned. "I thought you might see it my way."

"Your way? How the hell is this your way? If we did things your way, Julie would be fucking some weirdo at Damon's sex club this weekend."

"Why do you think I told you about it, moron?" Micah said as he motioned for another beer. "And I'm way ahead of you, man. Damon's supposed to meet me here in an hour."

Chapter 4

“You did not tell me that they were going to be here," Julie huffed as she, Serena and Faith walked into Cattleman's. "In fact, you told me that Damon was at The House tonight. Working on my setup."

Serena shrugged, but her gaze was drawn to where Damon sat between Micah and Nathan.

"Hello? Earth to Serena?"

Faith giggled as they pulled Serena toward the bar. Damon's gaze found Serena's, and he smiled a sexy, toe-curling smile that even had Julie squirming.

"You two are more nauseating than Faith and Gray," Julie grumbled as they plopped onto barstools.

"What did I do?" Faith asked in a perfect rendition of her innocent look.

"So why are they here?" Julie hissed. Nathan was staring at her. She could feel him boring holes through her back.

"Why don't you go ask them?" Serena drawled.

"After a few drinks I just might." The last thing she wanted was for Nathan to think she was rattled. Or avoiding him. Even if she damn well was.

"Well you wanted him to suffer," Faith said as the bartender served up their drinks. "Although I'd say he looks more pissed than pained."

"Better to be pissed off than pissed on," Julie muttered.

Serena laughed. "Girlfriend, you pissed all over the guy months ago. Marked him, scented him, howled at the moon . . ."

Julie shoved at her arm and scowled. "Yeah, well, you saw how far that got me. At least now he knows what he's missing."

"Why are you still talking about him?" Faith asked. "Shouldn't you be moving on to greener pastures? Remember? You were going to blow him them blow him off and have Damon hook you up with two prime specimens with big dicks and no brains."

"Why, Faith, you shock me," Serena said in mock horror.

"I'd say she's dead-on," Julie drawled. "She makes a damn good point. Why the hell am I sitting here stewing about Nathan fucking Tucker when I've got a date to be the filling in a stud sandwich?"

Faith and Serena both looked at her with ill-disguised horror.

"The filling in a stud sandwich? Julie, tell me you didn't just say that. For God's sake," Serena said.

"Not one of your better lines," Faith snickered.

"Okay, so it was all I could come up with. Not everyone has your expertise in the area of threesomes."

Serena laughed. "She's got you there, Faith."

"And clearly neither of you are going to let me live it down," Faith said mournfully.

"Hell, if I were you, I wouldn't want to live it down. I'd want to relive it. Over and over if possible," Julie said wistfully.

She stole a glance over at Micah Hudson and tried again to imagine him and Gray Montgomery both fucking Faith's brains out. Nope. Couldn't picture it. She shrugged and turned her gaze back to Faith.

"I still think you're putting us on about that whole thing."

Faith rolled her eyes. "You're just a jealous bitch and you know it. I don't know what your problem is. In a few nights, you're going to be indulging in all the hedonistic pleasure you can handle while Serena and I are having a boring evening home with our guys."

"Speak for yourself," Serena murmured.

Julie downed her drink and quickly ordered another one. Liquid courage. Never let her down yet. Last time, Nathan had taken her home and dumped her into bed. Maybe this time she could get Micah to do the dirty deed.

"Going for a quick buzz tonight?" Serena asked with a raised eyebrow.

She didn't respond, just leveled a stare at Serena and then turned her gaze on the guys sitting several tables away.

"Uh-oh. I don't like that look," Faith said.

Serena grinned. "Oh this is going to be good. And you and I get front-row seats, Faith."

"You two are going with me," Julie said sweetly.

"Uh-huh, and exactly what are we doing?" Faith asked.

Julie smiled. "First were going to have a few more drinks. I assume at this point Damon's not going to leave without you, Serena."

Thirty minutes and a good many drinks later, Julie was feeling no pain, and the demon that had perched so delicately on her shoulder earlier was now hanging from her ear for dear life.

"Shall we, ladies?"

She stood and started toward the table where the men still sat nursing their beers. All three looked up as she approached, and she almost halted at the fire that blazed in Nathan's eyes.

Damn, the man was hot. Her fingers positively itched to run over his bald head and over his gorgeous, muscled body. Broad shoulders, bulging arms. And that chest. Man, did she love his chest. And his ass.

But it wasn't Nathan she focused on. As Damon greeted Serena, and all the guys said their hellos to Julie and Faith, Julie slid onto Micah's lap, and she took his beer from his hand and took a long swallow. She let her lips linger over the mouth of the bottle and flicked her tongue out to rim it.

"Well damn," Micah murmured. "Hello to you too, sugar."

She put the bottle on the table behind her and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "Where have you been all my life?"

"Waiting for you to rock mine," he said teasingly.

Nathan sat in stony silence, his eyes glittering. His jaw clenched and ticked, but he said nothing.

"I seem to need a ride home," she whispered. "Gray is meeting Faith here for dinner, and now that Damon is here, Serena isn't going to want to leave."

"Well now," Micah drawled. "Far be it from me to ever leave a woman in distress. However, Nathan here might kick my ass if I make a move toward that door with you."

She let her eyes widen innocently as she turned to Nathan. "Oh, hello, Nathan. I didn't even notice you there."

Damon choked on his beer while Faith and Serena both looked away to keep from laughing. Nathan tipped his bottle in her direction, his face set in stone.

Then she turned back to Micah. "Are you the type to let another man dictate who you take home?"

Micah's expression darkened. "Don't play with fire, sugar, or you'll get burned quick."

She pouted playfully and leaned in closer until her mouth was an inch from his ear.

"Who says I'm playing?" she whispered.

His hands tightened around her hips, and then he tucked his lips to her ear, nuzzling through her hair.

"If Nathan hadn't already staked a claim, I'd have you in my bed so fast you wouldn't know what hit you. And believe me, sugar, I'd be calling all the shots."

She drew away and rolled her eyes. "I've heard all about you, Hudson. And I can't wait for the day a woman knocks you on your smug ass. I just hope I'm around to see it."

Micah smirked. "Ain't going to happen, babe."

"Does that mean you aren't going to volunteer to take me home?" she asked softly.

Nathan bolted from his seat and reached over to snag her wrist. Julie was so surprised by his action that she just sat there on Micah's lap, gaping up at him.

"Cut the bullshit, Julie. I'm taking you home. Now. It's long past time we had a little chat."

Her eyes narrowed, and she moved further into Micah's embrace, but Nathan didn't let up on his grip.

"We have nothing to talk about, Tucker. And if my options are you driving me home or taking a cab, then I'll go pour myself into a cab."

"Nathan, let it go," Micah said quietly. "Save it for later. I'll drive her home."

Nathan's eyes grew stormy, but he let go of her wrist and then turned and stalked out of the restaurant.

"Asshole," Julie muttered as she rubbed her wrist.

Micah picked her hand up and ran his thumb over her wrist. "You know he wouldn't hurt a hair on your head. And if he had any hair, he'd have already pulled it all out over you and you damn well know it."

She raised an eyebrow. "And what do you know about it?"

He grinned, flashing perfectly white straight teeth. "Women aren't the only ones who gossip, you know."

Her cheeks went warm. "Well, hell," she muttered.

"Too bad I never started going to you for massages," he teased.

She let her head fall onto his shoulder with a groan. "I'm ready to go home now."

"Come on, Julie, we'll take you home and you know it," Serena said.

"No, I'll take her," Micah said. "I told her I would, and I'd never leave a lady in distress."

"You guys going to hang out here until Gray comes?" Julie asked Serena and Damon.

"Of course," Damon said smoothly.

Faith hesitated, her eyes drooping a little sadly. "For the love of God, people. I'm certainly capable of staying by myself until Gray gets here. He, uh, he'll probably be late anyway. He's been running behind a lot lately."

"But the point is you don't have to be by yourself," Damon said. "Serena and I are more than happy to wait with you."

Micah lifted Julie to her feet, impressing her with his strength. Then he stood and took her hand, pulling her toward the door.

When they got to his truck, he opened the passenger door for her, and like a perfect gentlemen, saw her seated before walking around to his side.

The interior smelled faintly of smoke, and it gave her the first serious jones for a cigarette she'd had in two years.

"I didn't realize you smoked," she said when he started the engine.

He winced and smiled a little guiltily. "I didn't think the smell was that obvious."

"Former smoker," she admitted. "Some people love the smell of coffee. Me, I love the smell of cigarettes."

He reached into the door pocket and pulled out a crumpled packet. "I've got one left. Want to share it?"

She sucked in her breath. Damn. It was only one. Well, half a one. What the hell.

"You trying to quit?" she asked as he lit up.

"Yeah."

"How's that working for you?"

He laughed. "I'm down to a few a day. I keep saying each pack is my last, but at least I'm making them last longer."

He took a deep drag and passed it to her. She slid it between her lips and inhaled, closing her eyes.

"Between this and the booze, you're going to have to pour me into bed," she said as she passed it back. "I'll have a head rush from hell."

"How long's it been for you?"

"Two years."

"Impressive. And here I am luring you back to the dark side. I'm a real bastard."

She laughed. Then she cast him a mournful stare. "Why the hell couldn't I be hung up on you?"

Jesus. Had she just said that? Too much to drink. Or maybe it was the cigarette. Or maybe it was just sheer desperation. She'd all but told him how hung up on Nathan she was now.

Micah smiled and passed her back the cigarette. "You're killing the poor guy. Give him a break, okay? Us men aren't too smart when it comes to women, you know?"

She blew out the smoke and sent him a baleful look. "Okay, so a woman all but throws herself at you for weeks, pushes her cleavage in your face, practically takes out a glowing neon sign saying 'I want you,' and then gives you a massage you'll never forget, and you cant figure out she's attracted to you?"

"Okay, Nathan isn't too smart when it comes to women," he said with a chuckle. "Cut him some slack. The poor man doesn't know whether he's coming or going with you."

She scowled. "Well you know what, Micah? I'm damn tired of men not knowing what to do with me. I want a guy who doesn't need an instruction manual, thank you very much. Nathan blew his chance as far as I'm concerned."

"So you're going to torture him endlessly."

"Something like that," she muttered. "Okay, okay, I'll leave him alone. I have bigger fish to fry anyway."

He pulled into her apartment complex and cut the engine. For a moment he sat there just staring over at her with those complex, deep brown eyes.

"You know, Julie, someday a man's going to tame you. I just hope I'm around to see it."

"Ha!" she said as she opened her door. "I'll make a bet that a woman knocks you down a few notches before a man ever tames me."

He held out his hand with a smug grin. "Deal."

She took it and stared back just as hard. "What are the stakes?"

"If you win, you get me, any way you want me. If I win, I get you. Any way I want you."

She took her hand back and crossed her arms over her chest. "There's just one problem with your stakes, slick."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"If you're tamed, your girly might have a thing or two to say about me having you any way I want you. If I'm tamed, the guy in question sure as hell won't appreciate having a third in the mix. I'm not saying I'd mind," she added saucily.

"Don't be so sure of that," he said, a glint in his eyes. "As I have no intention of losing the bet, all we have to worry about is this guy who's going to tame you. My guess is, he's not going to mind allowing me my winnings."