Kendry picked up his pace, groaning softly as he wrapped his arms around her. He seated his cock deep and came as he panted into her neck. “Damn.”
The three of them collapsed in the tangled sheets, and she giggled as she caught her breath. “Santa Claus did in fact come.”
Chapter Seventeen
Presley Ann walked into the Dancing Pony arm in arm with both her men. Whit was with his grandfather and his Uncle Marvin, who had both assured her that they could handle one little baby for an overnight visit. Presley Ann knew they could handle Whit. She was more concerned about whether she could handle being away from him overnight.
“He’s fine, angel,” Jared said as he patted her hand.
“We can check on him later in the evening if you want,” Kendry murmured as he reached for the door. “Relax and let us show you a good time, kitten. You look beautiful.”
A blush heated her cheeks as both men smiled at her. “Thank you.” She’d nearly changed twice before leaving the house. They’d reacted favorably to the body-skimming black and silver halter maxi dress but she’d worried that she’d overdressed. The heat smoldering in Jared’s gaze had reassured her as he’d stroked her bared collar bone and told her that plenty of people would be dressed up for the Dancing Pony New Year’s Eve Bash.
Live music greeted them as they walked into the darkened club. Ethan and Ben had hired a band that was touring and working on making a name for themselves in country and western music. After paying the cover charge to get inside, Jared and Kendry stopped at the bar to get them drinks. Kendry waved at their group, clustered around a group of tables at the other end of the bar.
Veronica and her men greeted them, along with Charlotta and her men, Jesse and Barry. Presley Ann introduced the brothers who had saved her that day at Rudy’s, and Jared and Kendry were vocal with their gratitude for Veronica’s brothers watching out for her like that. Once again, Presley Ann noticed that Jesse and Barry seemed reluctant to accept the praise. Hank pulled out a chair for Presley Ann to sit in as more of their friends arrived.
The band was good and people were coming and going from the dance floor. A hand landed gently on her shoulder. She turned and then smiled cautiously as she looked up at Cody Welsh, Spencer Ketchum, and Heath Lindsey, known affectionately among their friends as “the bears.”
“Hello, gentlemen,” she said, relieved when, for once, she didn’t flush when faced with men she’d flirted her ass off with in her previous life. Months before, she’d been tempted to just go on with her life, pretending like she’d never done that, but moments like this made her happy that she’d systematically—and bravely—sought out Lydia, Lucy, Maizy, Camilla, Jayne, Gwen and all the other women she counted as friends now, whose men she’d flirted with over the years. She gave each of them a hug and said, “Where’s Maizy?”
Heath said, “We just got here with Lucy, Patrick, and Beck. She’s with them at the bar, talking to Ben and Ethan. You’re lookin’ particularly beautiful tonight, Presley Ann.” His eyes twinkled as he lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles, the shameless flirt.
Presley Ann giggled when she heard a territorial growl behind her. Heath looked down at her hand and his eyebrows shot up. He lifted her hand so Spencer and Cody so they could see her engagement ring. “Check it out. Presley Ann is off the market!”
Turning to the side, she made the introductions between the bears and her men and then laughed as Maizy burst in between her husbands, squealed, and threw her arms around Presley Ann. “I heard your wonderful news! Congratulations!”
As she was hugged hard, warmth filled Presley Ann’s chest. Yeah, she was really glad she’d swallowed her pride and reached out to all these people. As Maizy ogled the diamond engagement ring, she was joined by Lucy, who also hugged and congratulated her. Lucy was also dressed up in a corset and long, ruffled taffeta skirt and a lovely sheer black shawl. Presley Ann did a double take and said, “Hey, I remember that corset!”
Lucy burst into laughter and said, “I decided it would work as more than just a Halloween costume. Your reaction was priceless! Only this time, the laces are all tucked in the back so no heinous witches can untie me.”
Beck leaned in a kissed her cheek. “Yeah, it was kinda fun tyin’ you back up into that thing, wasn’t it, Juicy Lucy?” He turned to Presley Ann and said, “I’ve been waiting to hear how things are going with your business.”
Presley Ann gently bumped his uplifted fist and said, “It’s awesome. The move hardly slowed me down at all and I was able to get several orders turned in to the retailers. Summer got me in touch with several other business owners in the Morehead area and I’m attending a women’s business association luncheon with her next month. Thank you for pushing me to reach out to her. And between Lucy and Leah, I have a handle on the money aspect of the business, too. That was the part that worried me the most.”