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"Are those..." He couldn't even say it as he poked the serving spoon at the pasta pieces.
"What's the matter, Mr. Carter? You can't say it, can you?" I mimicked, spoiling my stern tone when I almost doubled over in laughter.
Jax straightened, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, Ms. Hart. If you wanted to taste some 'cock,' I've got one I'd be delighted to share with you."
Suddenly, I wasn't laughing anymore as he stalked around the table. I started to dart away, but he was too fast, grabbing my wrist and hauling me into his arms. I could feel his hardness rub as he lifted me and set me on the table. He gently thrust against me and talking was over.
We did end up eating the coq au vin—minus the penis pasta—but much, much later and much more naked than when I'd first served it.
"I've finally succeeded in corrupting you. I'm so proud of you, young grasshoppah." Jade's terrible accent interrupted my memories. She patted me on the head, trying to keep a serious face. She cracked. "To cocks!" she hollered, and we all broke out into giggles again.
The last time I'd laughed this hard was the last time I'd had this much wine, which was the last time we'd gotten together like this. Then I was drinking because I was so conflicted about my feelings for Jax. Tonight, I was just having fun.
"So, does sex change once you're married? Is it better having sex with your boyfriend or your husband?" Angie asked Maggie.
"It's all good, as long as one doesn't find out about the other." Maggie smiled slyly as she finished the contents of her glass, and we all hooted and toasted each other.
"Did you know," Maggie asked as she refilled her wine glass, "that sex on the beach isn't all it's cracked up to be? I swear, we were still washing sand out of parts where sand shouldn't be the next day!"
Everyone laughed, but Faith simply smiled. She wasn't a total prude, but she wasn't big on talking about sex either.
A little while later, the third bottle of wine was already half gone, the Sangria I'd made was nothing but drops in the bottom of the bowl, and most of the appetizers were gone.
"How's life in California, Laurel? Got any sneak peeks you can share about Mandy? Is Veronica finally going to kill her?" Maggie asked. She was a huge fan of Hidden Passions.
"Can't say. It's all a bit unpredictable right now." Her voice grew distant as she moved out of range of the camera. She came back onscreen with a full glass of wine. It might have been my imagination, but her eyes didn't hold the same sparkle they had earlier.
"Well, at least tell us she's going to keep sleeping with Grant. Damn! He's so hot he must set off the sprinkler system when he comes on set!" Angie fanned herself with her hand while she spoke. "That body! They need more scenes where he takes his shirt off. Lucky you, getting to get all snuggly with him under the sheets!" She winked at Laurel.
Laurel took a long swallow of her wine and stared at some unseen object on her side of the computer. "Mmhmm."
Angie tilted her head. "Wait!" She moved front and center of the computer screen. "Are you snuggling off-screen, too?"
Faith and I moved to sit next to her, interested in our sister's answer.
Laurel spit her mouthful back into her glass. She coughed several times before she recovered. "Why would you say that?"
"Because you got quiet. "You're the opposite of Grace. You stop talking when you're nervous," Angie answered.
I was surprised Laurel's returned glare didn't shatter one of our screens. "I just don't have anything to say. There’s nothing romantic about filming sex scenes in front of all those cameras and crew. It was a long day of shooting, and I don't feel like talking about work. "
Faith and I glanced at each other. Like Angie, we weren't buying it, but we didn't push. Unfortunately, Angie didn't pick up on our "leave it alone" cues.
"Something's going on there, isn't it?" Angie pressed.
"Angela Marie Hart, drop it, okay? If I wanted a lecture, I'd have called Dad." Laurel's voice was as sharp as I'd ever heard it.
Angie sat back as if slapped. "I'm sorry, sugar," she whispered. "I didn't mean to push. I love you and worry about you."
Laurel's eyes closed as she turned her head away. Remorse was all over her face when she looked back. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm fine, and I love you, too. It's just that work has been a little stressful, lately. My contract is up for renewal, Mandy's getting more airtime, and I...well...a few things have gotten tense between a few people I have to work with."
"Ah, honey. Anything we can do?" Faith asked, her face creased with concern as she propped her head on Angie's shoulder.
Laurel smiled tiredly. "No, just don't tell Dad, okay?"
"Laurel—
" Faith was forever trying to heal the rift between our baby sister and our dad.
