Текст книги "Sweet Possession"

Автор книги: Maya Banks

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

CHAPTER 22

Three cupcakes and four missed calls later, Lyric licked the last of the frosting from her fingers and sighed in satisfaction.

Her phone went off again and she lifted an eyebrow at it. “He’s persistent, isn’t he?”

Connor grunted.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t called you.”

Connor held up his phone and flashed her the screen that said he had as many missed calls.

“Ha-ha! You turned your ringer off. Smart guy.”

“He’s probably calling to fire me,” Connor said wryly. “He probably thinks I’m a bad influence on you. But if I don’t answer the phone, he can’t very well fire me, right?”

She snorted. “You, a bad influence on me?”

“Yeah, I know, right? How ridiculous is that? Everyone knows you’re the miscreant here. Not me.”

He looked so damn innocent saying it that she had to laugh.

“I bet you got away with murder as a child.”

He shook his head. “Nope. Pop would have kicked my ass.”

“And your mom?”

He grimaced. “She and Pop split up when I was young.”

“Oh. Sorry to hear that.”

“Shit happens.”

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“Connor, I need a minute when you get a chance,” Kane said. “Just got a report we need to run over.”

Lyric’s brow creased as she looked between the men. “Report?”

“Yeah. We’ve been running background checks, criminal histories, stuff like that on all the people who work with you or have access to you.”

“And?” she prompted.

Kane shrugged. “Don’t know yet. Just got the e-mail on my BlackBerry. I’ll need to log on to a computer and print it out. Connor and I can split it up and look over it. This will probably take a while so if you need anything, let one of my men know.”

That was it. He wasn’t sharing anything further. It frustrated her on one hand, but there was a part of her that didn’t want to know if someone close to her was fucking with her. She didn’t trust anyone, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be pissed that someone she’d allowed into her circle had betrayed her.

But shouldn’t she know these things? Shouldn’t she be aware of any potential threat that existed?

Connor stood and then laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “We’ll let you know as soon as we’ve gone through all the information. I won’t keep anything from you. You have my word.”

She nodded. “I think I’ll go for a swim. Is that allowed?” She looked innocently at Kane as she asked.

“You’re safe here. My men will be watching. Go take your swim.”

Making sure she hid the mischief she knew was brewing in her eyes, she sidestepped Connor and headed for the stairs. “Y’all have fun going through your reports.”

As she bopped up the stairs it occurred to her that she actually felt . . . happy. Not in a disgusting “Zip a Dee Doo Dah” way. She wouldn’t be busting out the sunshine songs or anything. But she felt relieved, happy and a little excited all at the same time.

She felt strong. Empowered. A little more in control of her own destiny. It shamed her to realize just how much she’d allowed to go on around her. She literally bounced from person to person, always allowing others to control the puppet strings. She performed. She did what she was told. She ate was she was told to eat. She exercised when she was told to exercise. She smiled when someone said smile. She performed like a windup doll.

And she’d been perfectly miserable the whole time. Angry and miserable.

She’d embraced such an existence because she truly felt it was what she deserved. But was it really?

She shook her head, unwilling to mar what was shaping up to be a perfect day with dark memories. She didn’t want to go there. She didn’t want to think about things she couldn’t change.

What she wanted to do was enjoy a swim and maybe tweak Connor in the process. He’d probably be pissed, but the impish demon inside her simply couldn’t resist the desire to needle him.

Yep. A simple little swim would be fun. And she hadn’t had fun in a damn long time. Not until she’d met Connor and his friends and allowed herself to relax and truly enjoy the company of others. She liked it. Liked it a hell of a lot.

She didn’t bother searching her stuff for a suit. She didn’t have one. She stripped down until she was bare-assed naked and then threw on a robe and tied the ends for her trip down the stairs.

Connor had told her to enjoy herself. She planned to take him up on it.

“You realize we’re going to get totally busted for this,” Julie said as Sam rolled to a stop at the gates of the house Lyric was staying in.

Serena waved a dismissive hand as Sam rolled down the window to address the guard. “What are they going to do, shoot us?”

“Maybe,” Faith murmured as she surveyed the automatic slung over the guard’s shoulder.

“We are here to see Ms. Jones,” Sam said in his somber voice.

“Sorry, sir. No one gets onto the premises without direct authorization.”

Angelina’s eyes widened. Direct authorization? she mouthed.

“Let me take care of this. Lyric gave me her cell number,” Julie said as she yanked out her cell. She held up a finger through the window to the guard.

She punched in Lyric’s number and waited as it rang.

“I could just call Connor,” Faith offered.

Julie snorted. “And let him get all pissy with us for coming without his permission? Oh, hi, Lyric, it’s Julie Tucker.” She held up a finger to silence the other girls. “I’m good. Hey, what are you doing right now? Swimming? Oh that sounds fun. Uh yeah, we’re kind of here at your front gates only the dude with the gun won’t let us in without proper authorization. Think you could help us out with that?”

Julie’s face split into a grin. “Yeah, sure.”

She closed the phone and leaned over the front seat to look out at the guard. “Ms. Jones will be calling you shortly.”

On cue, the guard reached for his phone and sent a glare into the car.

“Ms. Jones,” he greeted. “Yes, there are four women here to see you.” There was a pause. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Perhaps it would be better if I were to speak to Mr. Malone or Mr. Murphy.” He winced. “Yes, of course, I understand Mr. Malone and Mr. Murphy are in an important meeting. No, ma’am, I understand. Yes, of course. I’ll let them in immediately.”

“That’s our girl,” Serena said with a grin.

The gate swung open and the guard motioned them in, though he looked less than happy to be doing so. Sam drove the car up the drive and parked in front.

“Lyric said for us to come around to the pool,” Julie said as they all piled out. “You going to make it, Angelina?”

Angelina shot her a glare as Sam helped her from the car. “I’m not that huge.”

“Yet,” Julie said with a grin.

“I’m so going to drown you,” Angelina muttered.

“I feel it best if I accompany you ladies,” Sam said stiffly.

Serena patted his arm. “Of course, Sam. You can keep us safe from all the guys with guns.”

He pinched his lips together. “I still don’t think this was a good idea. Mr. Roche will be most displeased if I allow any harm to come to you.”

“Mr. Roche does not have to know of all my comings and goings,” Serena said dryly.

Two guards appeared, both armed, and they glanced warily at the women. Julie couldn’t say she entirely blamed them. Women were probably scarier creatures than a whole horde of men with knives and guns.

“Can you direct us to the pool?” Julie asked airily.

“They won’t really shoot us, will they?” Faith whispered as they started forward.

“I’ll pretend I’m in labor if they do any funny stuff,” Angelina said in a low voice. “Pregnant women always scare the shit out of men.”

Sam hovered protectively over the women as they traipsed around the side of the house. He shot scowls at the men who flanked them. It was pretty funny because Julie’s money was on Sam in a throwdown. He might come across as all starchy and straitlaced, but he was a big son of a bitch and he got growly when it came to “his” women.

As soon as the gate to the pool was opened, they saw Lyric pressed against the side of the pool, staring expectantly in their direction. She lifted an arm to wave, and it was then Julie realized Lyric didn’t have a stitch of clothing on.

She started laughing. The others stared at Julie and then back at Lyric, and Faith’s mouth formed an O.

“Hey!” Lyric called. “Gosh, I’m so glad to see you guys. How on earth did you manage it? I’m practically kept prisoner here, with no visitation, I might add.”

“We’re on the lam today,” Faith said.

Serena burst out laughing. “Lam? Faith, you crack me up sometimes.”

“Well, the men don’t know where we are. We’re supposed to be ‘shopping.’ They’d probably have a kitten if they knew we’d come over here. But honestly, what do they think is going to happen? We have Sam, and Lyric has guys hanging from the tree branches with guns.”

Lyric chuckled. “I asked Connor if I could have you guys over and he gave me the spiel about how it wasn’t safe, blah blah, and he’s right, but I’m awfully glad to see you, and you’re already here, so there’s no reason for you to leave!”

“Are we interrupting?” Angelina asked with a pointed glance in Lyric’s direction.

Lyric glanced down and then back up at the women and grinned. “Oh no. Connor and Kane are mulling over background checks, criminal records and all that fun stuff, so I decided to take a swim. I figure Connor will pop a button when he sees I’m skinny-dipping.”

“In more ways than one,” Julie muttered.

“Why don’t you guys come in? The water’s great. I’ll have the chef make us something yummy. I’ll have drinks made. Whatever you guys want.”

Julie glanced at the other women. “We didn’t exactly come prepared to swim, and it’s cold out today! Aren’t you freezing?”

Lyric arched an eyebrow. “So? The pool is heated and you don’t need a suit.”

“A swim would feel really nice,” Angelina said with a sigh.

“We can fire up the hot tub later if you find the water too cold,” Lyric offered.

Faith frowned. “But not too hot. It isn’t good for Angelina.”

“So strip and get in,” Lyric said.

Sam cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should relay your wishes to the chef and make myself available inside.”

Serena laughed. “Good idea, Sam.” She turned to the other women. “Well? Are we up to being totally daring?”

“Or are you chiiickennn,” Lyric taunted.

“Oh hell no, you did not call me chicken,” Julie muttered.

Lyric pushed off from the side of the pool and swam backward to the center of the pool. “Last one in doesn’t get the really yummy cupcakes the chef baked.”

“Chef? Cupcakes?” Faith shook her head. “I must be doing something wrong.”

“I want that cupcake,” Angelina said as she started pulling at her pants.

Laughter and shrieks hit the air as the women all started shucking out of their clothes. Shirts and pants flew through the air and soon it looked like an orgy had taken place on the patio as clothes hung from every chair, were strewn on the ground, and panties and bras hung from the bushes lining the walkway.

Soon they were all in the water, and for Lyric, what she’d thought was an absolutely perfect day had just gotten better.

“Did you swear Sam to secrecy?” Angelina asked Serena. “I really don’t want the guys to come barging in and ruin our girly day.”

“I can have one of the guards shoot them,” Lyric said calmly. She swam to the side of the pool and looped her arms along the concrete to hold herself up as she kicked her feet below the surface.

“They won’t wonder where we are for a few hours yet,” Serena said confidently. “They were all so relieved that he was stuck taking us shopping that they won’t even think to look for us.”

“Except Damon, who loves to shop for you,” Faith said smugly.

Serena shrugged. “What can I say? The man has better taste in clothing than I do.”

Lyric eyed the intricate gold band on Serena’s upper arm and remembered Damon’s possessive caress and the way he touched her there often.

“So how have you been, Lyric?” Angelina asked. “Is Connor still being mean to you?”

Lyric felt heat rush into her cheeks. The other women obviously noticed it too because their eyes sharpened like vultures going after road kill.

“Ohhh,” Faith said.

“Okay, spill!” Julie demanded. “Oh my God, Serena and I have been dying to know all about Mr. Stick Up His Ass. I’ll admit to him firing more than a few girly fantasies.”

Faith clamped her hands over her ears and promptly fell underwater. She came up sputtering and holding her hand out. “Oh please. No. He’s my brother, for God’s sake. I don’t want to hear this!”

Angelina rolled her eyes. “Your brother is hot, Faith. Deal.”

“He isn’t mean,” Lyric defended. “He’s been very . . .”

“Uh-huh,” Serena said knowingly. “Very good? Very sexy?”

Lyric laughed. “Well, yes and yes.”

Julie grinned. “Oh this is great. I love it. Connor Malone has met his match.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Lyric said carefully.

“Oh crap, men alert,” Faith said as she ducked farther underneath the water.

Lyric looked up to see the chef and one of his assistants carry out a platter of hors d’oeuvres.

“Oh stop it, Faith. You’re freaking gorgeous. Let them look and lust over what they’ll never have,” Julie said cheekily.

“You guys are so never telling Gray about this,” Faith squeaked. “He’ll kick my ass.”

The chef cleared his throat and did his best to avert his gaze, though Lyric could see him totally sneaking glances.

“I would be happy to provide drinks for you ladies. I have a fully stocked liquor cabinet, and one of my assistants is a trained bartender.”

“Ohhh, Lyric. You have all the good stuff,” Julie sighed.

Lyric grinned. “Well, order up. I’ve never tried drunk swimming before. Maybe we should see if any of the security team is a trained lifeguard?”

“Not a bad idea,” Faith said.

“Ask Sam to come out,” Serena said to the chef. “What?” she asked when the other women looked at her. “He’s seen me naked before. Hello? Damon keeps me naked pretty much twenty-four/seven when we’re at home.”

“Do I even want to know?” Lyric asked.

“Oh we’ll fill you in on Serena’s lifestyle after a few drinks,” Angelina said.

Serena turned and lifted an imperious brow in Angelina’s direction. “And yours?”

Angelina flushed but laughed good-naturedly. “Okay, maybe not.”

“There I go, feeling frighteningly boring again,” Lyric said. “You guys are killing me with all these interesting comments.”

“I’m the only normal slash sane one in this group,” Julie said.

Julie was immediately swamped with waves of water as Faith, Angelina and Serena all drenched her.

“Drinks, ladies?” the chef reminded.

“Oh yeah, forgot,” Lyric said. And now that the chef and his wide-eyed assistant had gotten quite the show . . .

“Hmm, why don’t you surprise us?” Serena suggested. “Make us some yummy, fruity cocktails with the cute little umbrellas. We can stage our own little beach getaway here at the pool.”

The chef nodded, then turned and had to nudge his assistant to get him to snap his attention away from the women.

Angelina grabbed on to one of the floaties and rested her chin atop it as she floated lazily in the deep end. “This is so nice. I feel like a walrus, mind you, but man, this feels wonderful.”

“I’m so glad you all came,” Lyric said. “This has been such a great day and now it’s only better.”

“Oh? Do tell,” Julie prompted.

Lyric grinned and she reached for one of the floats lying on the side of the pool, then propelled herself along the surface of the water so that she floated close to Angelina.

“I fired my manager.”

“Whoa. Really?” Faith asked.

Lyric nodded. “Yep. Thanks to Connor.”

“Wow, we obviously need deets here,” Julie said.

“I’ll tell you all about it. Over drinks,” she said smugly.

CHAPTER 23

Connor pinched the bridge of his nose and put down the last report in his stack. He checked his watch. He and Kane had been sequestered for the entire afternoon. They’d crawled through the lives of every single person even remotely attached to Lyric or her tour.

The problem was, there were more than a few who’d raised serious flags. How they ever got hired in the first place would remain a mystery to Connor. Which further cemented his opinion that Lyric’s entire operation was half-assed and run by morons.

He laid aside four profiles that required more than a cursory runthrough. One guy in particular had riled Connor’s what-the-fuck meter. He had priors for assault. There were two restraining orders issued by former girlfriends, and his old man was in jail for domestic violence.

Still, Connor had his money on the two fuck-buddy bodyguards. Maybe he was prejudiced against them, given that they’d slept with the woman he was currently sleeping with, but the evidence was stacked against them. They had opportunity and access. What Connor wasn’t sure of, however, was motive.

He picked up the phone to call Gray. He and Nathan could do quite a bit of legwork, which would leave Connor to focus his attention on the most important thing: Keeping Lyric safe.

“Hey, man,” he said when Gray answered.

“Hey, stranger. You’ve survived Lyric, I see.”

“She’s not so bad,” he defended, and then winced. He needed to just shut the hell up.

“Uh-huh. So what’s up?”

Connor relayed the information to Gray, who stopped him so he could take notes. “Can you fax me those reports you have?” he asked after a moment.

“I’ll e-mail them to you. Kane has them on his computer.”

“Kane?”

“He’s heading up the security team Armstrong hired.”

“Ah okay. He good?”

“Yeah,” Connor said. “Seems on top of things.”

“What the ever-loving hell?” Kane said from across the room.

“Hang on a second, Gray.”

Connor put the phone down to his leg and frowned over at Kane, who was looking out the window. “Something wrong?”

Kane turned around, his lips twitching. “Depends on whether you consider a pool full of naked girls a bad thing.”

“What?”

Connor got up and strode across the room to look down at the pool below. “Oh Christ!”

He yanked the phone back up. “Gray, mind telling me what the hell your wife is doing over here? And naked, I might add. For God’s sake, man, she’s my sister! My eyes are burning!”

“What the fuck are you talking about? Faith is out shopping with the girls.”

“Uh, no. They’re all in Lyric’s pool. Butt-ass naked, I might add.”

There was dead silence on the other end.

“Look, I got to go. I need to handle this,” Connor said. And before Gray could respond, Connor cut the connection.

“Looks like a hell of a party,” Kane murmured.

Connor followed Kane’s gaze to the clothing draped from one end of the pool area to the other. Hell, there were panties dangling from the shrubbery. He closed his eyes. “Why me?”

“Clearly I don’t have your issues,” Kane said in amusement. “None of them are related to me.”

“You just keep your damn eyes to yourself,” Connor growled. “They’re all attached. Very attached.”

Kane raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I hadn’t realized Lyric was taken.”

“Fuck you,” Connor muttered.

He turned and started down the stairs, trying not to focus on the fact that five very naked, very beautiful women were swimming in the pool. Or how the hell he was going to fish them all out. Preferably before their very pissed-off husbands showed up.

He found the kitchen in turmoil. Every single one of the kitchen assistants was busting his nuts to be the one taking trays out to the pool.

He stopped them with a single glare. They retreated into the kitchen, nearly stumbling in their haste to avoid Connor.

He stalked toward the door leading to the patio and pool area. As soon as he opened the door, the air was filled with chatter and laughter. Music reverberated through the air, and to his horror, the girls had taken up a game of volleyball, using an imaginary net.

Nothing, however, was imaginary about the way they came out of the water to hit the ball back and forth.

He quickly scanned the patio but found only Sam, standing legs apart, arms over chest, his gaze focused on an area much higher than where the girls were swimming.

“Anyone mind telling me what the hell is going on here?” he demanded.

Five women simultaneously slid under the water until only their noses were visible.

“Well hell, don’t hide now. Not like everyone in the house hasn’t seen you by now.”

Lyric scowled. “Sam alerts us when anyone steps out of the door. Or he did anyway. Somehow you got by.”

“Uh-huh. And the security team, which is charged with your safety, mind you, are all getting an eyeful as we speak since they can’t very well not protect you and watch out for you just because you decided to have a party. Which, I might add, was completely unauthorized, and you were specifically told you couldn’t have company. Nor were you to so much as take a piss without mine or Kane’s knowledge.”

Julie giggled. Then Serena joined in. Angelina snickered and Faith sighed.

“Okay, okay,” Faith said in resignation. “So he totally does have a stick up his ass.”

The four other women burst into laughter. He glared at every one of them, not that it did a damn bit of good. They laughed and kept laughing until tears ran down their cheeks.

“I’m glad you find this so damn amusing,” he growled.

Lyric swam over to the side of the pool where he stood, and before he could react, she pulled herself out and stood before him, naked as the day she was born, and goddamn if he didn’t react to the sight of her dripping wet, beads of water running over some very strategic areas. Goose bumps immediately dotted her flesh, causing her nipples to tighten as she shivered in front of him.

“For God’s sake,” he said hoarsely. “Where are your damn clothes? You’re going to freeze to death.”

She stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. “We’re having fun, Connor. The guys are looking out for us, right? What could possibly happen? Are you expecting a team of assassins to swoop in and murder us all in the pool?”

“That’s not the point and you know it.”

“Look, I didn’t know they were coming, but I wasn’t going to tell them to go away. I enjoy their company. You and Kane were off doing your thing. I was happy to have them over. I like them.”

“We like you too, Lyric,” Faith called.

She turned and grinned over her shoulder.

“And you have a very nice ass,” Julie said solemnly.

Connor closed his eyes. “For the love of God . . .”

“If I was a lesbian, I’d totally do you,” Serena offered.

Connor sighed. He stared at the women suspiciously. “Just how much have you girls had to drink?”

“Uhm, you’ll have to talk to the chef. Or the bartender. Yeah, the cute young guy. He makes the most yummy drinks,” Faith said.

Connor rubbed a hand through his hair. He glanced over at Angelina, who was tucked behind a float. “You okay, sweetie? You haven’t been drinking, have you?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Connor. I’m fine.”

“Can I get back in now or are you shutting us down?” Lyric asked.

“Would you listen if I said no?” he asked dryly.

She smiled cheekily. To his surprise she leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him full on the mouth. He was so shocked he just stood there with a blank look on his face as she pulled away.

“Probably not.”

With that she turned and hopped back into the pool amidst cheers from her very inebriated accomplices.

His cell phone rang and with a groan he pulled it out. “Yeah,” he said shortly.

“Is my wife over there? And more important, is she naked?” Nathan demanded.

“Hell,” Connor muttered.

“Get her some damn clothes. I don’t want the whole security team looking at what’s mine.”

“Too late.”

Nathan cursed. “What the hell are they thinking? Are they crazy?”

“You’re asking me?” Connor asked in exasperation. “They’re demented. But they’re not my damn responsibility. Only one woman is. You think I like seeing my sister in the buff? I’m going to have nightmares for a week.”

“I heard that!” Faith yelled. “Asshole.”

“I’ll kick his ass for you,” Julie said.

“You tell Julie to stay her ass in the pool,” Nathan said, overhearing Julie’s exclamation.

“Look, I’m not getting into this,” Connor said wearily. “They’re having some kind of goddamn party. Sam is here. I assume he’ll make sure they all get home okay. I’ll drive them myself if I have to.”

Before Nathan could argue further, Connor hung up. He surveyed the girls again, glad that dusk was falling and it was more difficult to make out their nudity in the water. But it was also getting cooler and they were just drunk enough not to figure out they risked hypothermia gallivanting around wet and naked.

“Let me guess. No one knows where you are.”

Serena snapped her lips shut and slowly shook her head.

“Nice. Throw me under the bus. Now all your husbands will be pissed at me,” he grumbled.

“You need to get that stick out of your ass,” Faith said darkly.

He stared at her in surprise.

“I’ve defended you long enough. You need to chill the fuck out.”

Connor’s eyes widened. “Uhm, Faith? Just how much have you had to drink tonight? I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be in the pool. It’s too chilly out here. You’re all going to get sick.”

“Sam’s acting as our lifeguard,” Julie pointed out. “Besides, the pool is heated. It’s only cold when we get out.”

“You need some help, Connor?” Kane asked lazily.

Connor turned and fixed Kane with his stare. “I told you to stay inside.”

“Yeah, well, you looked like you needed backup.”

Amusement was heavy in Kane’s voice.

“Uh-oh,” Lyric muttered. “Party’s over. Mr. Makes Connor Look Relaxed is here.”

Faith giggled. “Is he that bad? I don’t know, Lyric. He’s cute.”

Kane lifted an eyebrow. “Cute? Why do I think I’ve just been relegated to puppy-dog status?”

“He’s mean to me,” Lyric said. “Connor isn’t.”

Angelina frowned in Kane’s direction. Serena and Julie both crossed their arms over their breasts—thank God—and glared at Kane.

“Why are you being mean to Lyric?” Serena demanded. “Want us to kick his ass?” she asked Lyric.

Kane laughed softly. “You couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag in your condition, sweetheart. I’m not mean to Ms. Jones. I just expect her to cooperate with my desire to keep her safe.”

“Oh,” Faith said. “Well, that’s different, I guess.”

“Now, as much as I’d like to let you ladies continue enjoying yourself in your present state, I’d appreciate it if you could stop giving my men a heart attack and maybe put on some robes if we got you some. We’ll be happy to ensure your safety if you’d like to continue eating or drinking. I’d just like you to be dressed and out of the pool when you do it.”

“Oh, he’s good, Lyric,” Serena murmured. “Very smooth.”

Kane smiled. “Glad you think so, Mrs. Roche.”

At that she frowned. “How do you know who I am?”

“It’s my job to know everyone who comes into contact with Ms. Jones.”

Faith thrust out her chin. “Just don’t be mean to Lyric. We’ll kick your ass.”

Kane chuckled. “I have no doubt you’d try, Mrs. Montgomery.”

“Oh, all right. Get us the robes,” Julie grumbled. “But I go on record saying you’re even less fun than Connor.”

Kane raised his hand and, a few seconds later, one of his men came out carrying several fluffy robes. Connor took them and then motioned for both Kane and his man to leave. He’d be damned if they saw any of the women naked.

He turned back in resignation of the evening ahead. “If I lay these on the table, can I trust you to get out of the pool and into them?”

“You know, if you’d just leave, we could enjoy our nekkid swim party,” Lyric grumbled.

“I think I’m being reasonable by allowing it to continue and not tossing everyone off the grounds.”

Several sounds of exasperation echoed from the water.

“I’d like to see you try to toss me anywhere, Connor Malone,” Julie muttered.

He grinned. “You know I love you all dearly, but you’re interfering in my job, not to mention I’ll now have to answer to guys I work with as to why I allowed their women to cavort around in the nude.”

“Oh, we can handle them,” Faith said with a sniff. “It’s not like we had an orgy or something.”

“Though that could be fun,” Lyric added. “I think the only thing I haven’t been accused of is a lesbian orgy. Maybe we should call one of the tabloids.”

Connor groaned. “For the love of God. Just get out of the pool and into your robes. I’ll make sure your bartender and the chef supply you with booze and food. If you really want to be good and get dried off and dressed, you can continue this inside where it’s warm.”

“Hot chocolate would be nice,” Serena mused. “And it is getting cooler. March is such a screwed-up month. Hot, cold, hot, cold.”

Connor closed his eyes and sighed. Any other man would be in heaven surrounded by gorgeous, naked women all slicked down with water and all sporting chill bumps from hell. He, on the other hand, was praying for deliverance and for a little cooperation before all hell broke loose.

“Okay, okay, he’s getting that look,” Lyric said. “Let’s get out and get dressed. We’ll take over the living room and kick all the guys out. What time are you guys supposed to be home anyway?”

There was a moment of silence and then Faith said, “What time is it?”

Connor checked his watch. “Six thirty.”

Serena giggled. “I think we said we’d be home by five. Oops.”

“Mr. Roche is aware of your delay,” Sam said calmly.

“It would appear that Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Tucker are as well,” Faith said on a laugh. “Which only leaves Micah. Angelina? Are you going to call him?”

Angelina shook her head. “Huh-uh. I’m still riding the marriage card. He’s so happy I said yes, he can’t possibly get pissed at me.”

“You know, I’m starting to feel real sorry for the guys,” Connor said.

Lyric climbed the steps from the pool and it took all his discipline not to stare. She walked over and snagged one of the robes and wrapped it around her shivering body. Hell, he wanted to wrap himself around her until she was warm and soft against him.

“Trust the guys to stick together,” she drawled. “Come on, girls. Let’s take this party inside.”

Connor whirled around and strode to the door before the other women took their exit from the pool. Their laughter followed him all the way inside.