“Do you remember how she changed after she finally got him out of her life?”
“Yeah. She did a one-hundred-eighty-degree shift and not just in her appearance but also in her personality. She seemed genuinely happy where before she was totally in her shell.”
“She saw herself differently and I’d bet you any money it’s because Jack, Ethan, and Adam did all those things I mentioned.”
“Where did you learn them?”
“From Mom, while I was helping her with the rose bushes.”
“I thought you were just hauling branches and such to make some money.”
“I was but she’d talk to me while we worked.”
“Wish I’d taken her up on it when she offered me commissions for helping her out there. I thought it was sissy work.”
James snorted. “I still have scars from those thorns and some of those bushes were damned huge. Anyway, I think you understand the point I’m making. Make her your focus and not what it is you hope to achieve as far as a ménage is concerned.”
Vincent sighed and took a sip of his water. “When I get around her…” He breathed in deep as he imagined her little hourglass figure and the way her round tush swayed when she walked. He could practically feel her soft, supple body in his arms. She fit just perfectly up against him. And spooning her the night before…He wanted that back.
“I know. It’s like that for me, too. She’s like a double shot of whiskey. Goes straight to my head. Keep your focus on her.”
“Tell her she’s beautiful and that she smells good.” He felt like an idiot repeating it. He was used to winging all that shit and being his usual charming self. That clearly wasn’t going to work right now.
“And if you ever have a chance, talk to Jack, Ethan, or Adam. You might bend their ears a bit, since they have a few years in a ménage under their belts. Hank invited me to meet him at the Dancing Pony for a beer after work tonight. Maybe you ought to come with me.” James chuckled and Vincent rolled his eyes.
“Laugh it up, brother. Lord knows I could use all the help I can get.”
Chapter Eight
That morning, she was running late as she left the bed-and-breakfast. Mrs. Miller was out on the front porch watering all of her hanging ferns and turned to greet her as she pulled the front door closed and hurried to the steps. She didn’t see the puddle on the slick surface until it was too late and she was on her ass on the wet porch.
“Oh, Miss Woodworth! I’m so sorry! Are you all right?” Mrs. Miller asked as she helped Leah to her feet.
Feeling silly for not watching her step, Leah brushed at her soaked, dirty slacks and replied, “Nothing bruised but my pride…and my butt.” Her cheeks flamed at the mental image of how ridiculous she must’ve looked flying through the air.
“Oh, dear. Those slacks are soaked. I think the dirt will come out, though.”
“It’s all right. I brought an extra pair. I’ll just run in and change real quick.” Mrs. Miller’s cheeks were bright red and she looked mortified. “I’m really so sorry, Miss Woodworth. I probably should’ve put out some sort of sign. I just wasn’t thinking.” She must’ve been thinking of her online reviews and sounded worried.
“I promise it’s all right, Mrs. Miller. It was just a little accident.”
Her butt throbbed miserably where it’d impacted the hard cement as she changed clothes. Looking in the mirror, she took in and let out a couple of slow breaths. She liked running early and hated when her schedule got off kilter but what was really bothering her was the fact that each delay meant it would take her that much longer to get back to Divine.
Denny caught up with her as soon as she walked in the store a few minutes later and beckoned her into his work space.
“I have tile samples for the manager’s office to show you. Might as well do that while you’re here, right?”
“Probably a good idea, although I think as long as you choose something neutral it should be just fine.”
He laid out several pieces for her on the dusty surface of his work bench and she shuffled them around as she compared them to the paint samples. She carried two of the samples to a window and held them up.
From his spot at the bench, Denny spoke in quiet tones. “Was everything all right last night? I don’t mean to pry or make you feel uncomfortable. It was obvious that guy cares about you but…I hesitated about leaving you alone with him.”
Turning back to look at him, she smiled. A person couldn’t have too many friends. He didn’t need to know that the night had turned into a disaster of possibly life-changing proportions. “I appreciate that you were concerned but he’d never do or say anything that would hurt me.” Ugh! Besides forget to wear a condom! “He’s just a little possessive.” Stop talking or he’s just going to ask more questions.