“I’m…” I comb my free hand through my curls to give them more of a Hollywood blowout look. “Nervous. With the other guys, I know exactly where I stand, but Orin’s different. If it wasn’t for our steamy encounter in the laundry room, I wouldn’t be sure he even?—”
“Wait, I need to know details!” Delilah squeals. “The laundry room?”
“The guy has fingers straight from the gods, and his dirty talk is next level.” I press my palm to my chest, the memories sending ripples of arousal through me. “But he’s not like other guys I’ve dated before. He’s older. More experienced.”
“You’re not exactly the Virgin Mary,” Kady snickers.
“I wasn’t talking about in the bedroom!” I roll my eyes. “He’s more mature. With the others, I get them—you know? But Orin’s serious. He’s focused on work. What can someone like me offer him?”
“Opposites attract,” Kady replies knowingly. “Maybe you can teach him how to loosen up.”
I jump at the opportunity to tease her. “Like the guys did with you?”
“I’m a work in progress,” Kady admits. “But look at Hale and veterinary school. All he needed was a little push in the right direction.”
Faye nods in agreement. “Maybe you’ll be the burst of fun Orin needs? If anyone can bring him out of his shell, you can.”
“That’s definitely in my wheelhouse,” I agree, feeling a little better. I have been enjoying our banter lately. “But what if he wants someone more serious?”
“If he did, then he wouldn’t be getting down and dirty with you in the laundry room. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!” Delilah’s positivity practically radiates through the screen as Jagger pops up behind her, holding a thick stack of what looks like sheet music.
“I’ll come back when you guys are done chatting,” Jagger murmurs to her then waves at us. “Hi everyone.”
“Hi Jagger,” we chorus back.
“Jag and I are working on some new songs together,” she informs us as he disappears.
“I hope we’ll be able to hear some of those songs soon,” Kady tsks. “Tell Jagger I want a TVV exclusive as soon as an album or next single drops.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Delilah flashes a smile.
“Sabs?” I hear Luca’s voice from outside my nest. “The car is waiting.”
“Shit!” I almost drop my phone. “Gotta go, guys.” Then I call out to Luca, “I’ll be right there.”
“Have fun!” Faye sounds happy, her eyes lighting up when she spots a flower. “Ohhh, a Cherokee rose!”
“Let us know how your date goes,” Delilah says.
“And tell me all about the cocktails,” Kady chimes in. “I’ve heard their martinis are to die for.”
I hang up, managing to squeeze into my green dress and slip on my heels in record time.
“Woah.” Luca’s jaw drops when I open the door. “You look…”
I spin around, the back of my dress still gaping open. “Can you zip me up?”
His fingers are warm against my spine, moving slowly as he draws up the zipper. They linger at the nape of my neck, his lips brushing my skin and sending shivers scurrying down my spine. I’m about to melt when Adler emerges from his bedroom, looking hot as hell.
“Woah, firecracker.” He eyes me hungrily. “Are you sure you really want to go to this bar? We could head straight back to your nest instead.”
“Orin doesn’t like to be kept waiting, remember?” I saunter past, giving my hips an extra swing.
“Fuck,” Adler groans. “You’re killing me. How am I supposed to stay sane, knowing that you’re out there looking like that?”
“You’ll manage just fine,” I quip back. He races after me, leaning in to kiss me, but I dodge it. “No smudging my makeup before I leave.”
Drax hovers at the bottom of the stairs, his Adam‘s apple audibly working when he sees me. “Orin is lucky to have you all to himself tonight.”
