Page 56 of Sinners Reunion

Josie and I lie in the bushes as we attempt to catch our breath. We both knew it was a mistake the moment we came in unison, but it couldn’t be helped. Putting our focus anywhere other than our next orgasm would have proven too difficult.

We had to take care of this.

“No more fucking until we hash out the details,” she says. “Seriously, what is wrong with us?”

I shake my head and sit up. “Not us. Just you.”

“Bull-fucking-shit!” She sits up and clutches her shirt to her bare chest. “I seem to recall someone not even wanting to compete in the event. At least I made it that far. And you were the one to proposition me after it was all said and done. I was fine with watching the others.”

“I propositioned no one. We shared a look.” I drive my fingers between her legs before she can slam her thighs shut. When I pull them out, they glisten in the moonlight. “Yes, you weren’t needy at all, were you?”

Her jaw falls open.

“Close your mouth before I put something in it.” I lick my fingers clean and smile at her. “Just admit it. You can’t get enough of this old cowboy.”

“Are you trying to lose the bet?” She grimaces and pulls her shirt over her head before easing into her shorts and standing. She sets her hat on her head and flicks her fingers at me, urging me to join her. “Come on, cowboy. Everyone is probably wondering where we’ve run off to.”

Yes, I imagine there’s one particular person who’s a bit unhappy with our absence.

I can only hope things can be smoothed over, though I fear not even the reason for my disappearance will assuage Jim’s fury this time. He’d have been fine with me disappearing after or during dinner, but missing the end of the event wasn’t my smartest decision.

Once our clothes are straightened and we’ve plucked the last of Mother Nature’s pubes from our hair, we head toward the smell of smoke in the distance. We round the farmhouse and find a large bonfire tucked behind the structure.

It didn’t feel like we were away long enough for the event to finish, but I suppose time flies when you’re having fun.

The group surrounds the massive fire. Dinner hasn’t yet been served, judging by their empty hands, but it won’t be long. I can see Chef waddling toward the conflagration with a large silver cart bumping along before him.

“Where’d you get off to?” Ezra asks as the fire’s glow reveals our presence.

I don’t have time to answer. Jim bolts to his feet and grabs my arm before leading me away from the others. Gary can’t even look me in the eye, the poor bloke. I shouldn’t have put him in the line of fire.

Josie tries to follow, but Jim gives her a smile and a shake of his head.

“We’ll be right back, dear girl,” he says. “Just take a seat, and we’ll return quicker than . . . something very quick.”

His knickers must be in a twist of epic proportions if he can’t even come up with one of his silly sayings.

Josie nods and turns back for the fire. For her sake, I hope she doesn’t opt for the seat Blayne offers beside his Wranglers. I’d hate to piss off Jim even further by killing one of the participants, but that ramen-noodle-headed twit has nearly batted his lashes at her for the final time.

“Earth to King,” Jim says with a snap of his fingers as he stops walking. “Anyone there?”

“Snap your fingers in my face again and you won’t have fingers to snap with.” I yank my arm out of his hold and brush the feel of his clammy fingers off my skin. “Let’s not forget who decided to throw temptation into my face. You can’t be angry with me for giving in to my baser instincts.”

Jim glances behind him, then pulls a small paper bag from his suit coat. He shoves it against my chest and doesn’t pull his hands away.

“I’ll make your excuses,” he says, “but I want you to go and begin your part of the mission right now. If we expect any sort of positive conclusion, you must do your part. You’ve missed enough.”

I shove the bag back at him. “I never thought this was a good idea. It’s been your brainchild from the start, Jim. I merely supplied⁠—”

“What? You merely supplied what?” He shoves the sack against my chest and pulls his hands away. “We both merely supplied the bare minimum at the start, but things changed. The initial shift might have been my fault, but we’re both on shaking ground now. There is no putting the chaos back inside Pandora’s box. What we’ve started in motion must be seen through to the end, and you know that as well as I do.”

With a sigh, I shove the paper bag under my arm. “So I’m just supposed to go into the RV and look at these things? Then what?”

“Glean what you can from them. You missed their speeches, but they’ve chosen these photographs for a reason.” He places his hand on my arm, though his touch is much gentler now. “They’re trying to connect with their father, even if they don’t realize it. Help them. For their sakes, if not for ours.”

I glance at the fire. Josie sits between Eve and Quinn, far enough away from Blayne to keep me comfortable. The others are close at hand, and Chef has nearly arrived with the weenie cart.

“This may change nothing,” I say, my gaze returning to Jim. “This plan may be a waste of everyone’s time.”