"Bella put cat nip all over my damn house. My bed. My furniture. Everything. And this motherfucking psychotic cat has ripped it all to shreds. It acts like it's on a bad acid trip! And it's all Harley's fault!"
Dale laughs but I'm utterly confused.
"My bed, Dale," Maverick says, practically seething. "You know how I am about my damn bed."
"Oh, I know. Hence the reason I'm laughing."
"Like I said, Harley has to pay. Withhold sex or something. Or else I'll handle it myself."
I bristle, unsure how I feel about a threat. They all threaten each other fairly regularly, or so I've observed. It's almost done with endearment, usually. I don't know whether to feel pissed or accepted. Odd conundrum to have about a threat.
"Why am I being threatened?" I ask, and silence greets my question for several uncomfortable seconds.
"Really, Dale? Speaker phone. Really? Great show of loyalty, asshole."
Dale merely laughs harder. I'm starting to think they're the ones who've been smoking tonight.
"You told Bella about the app we were using to fuck with her," Maverick growls.
"Oh! Yeah!" I say excitedly. I grin, then my grin falls as it sinks in. "Ohhhh. Yeahhhh," I drawl in understanding.
"Oh. Yeah," Maverick mocks dryly. "Now Bella is out for blood. And she's recruited Brin. So we're all fucked."
Dale continues to laugh, burying his face into the crook of my neck as he nuzzles me. I sigh happily in his lap, wondering if it's the pot or the promise we're on the correct, communicative path that has me feeling better.
"Keep laughing, cheese dick. You'll be on Bella's list too. You're just as guilty as all of us."
Dale shakes his head, and I feel him grinning against my neck. "Nah. She'll never think I would do something so immature."
"Oh, I'll make sure she knows," Maverick promises.
Dale leans back, glaring at the phone. "Great show of loyalty, asshole," he says, throwing Maverick's words back at him.
So this is what I've missed out on by not having any friends. Fourteen-year-old banter. Got it.
Cat nip in the furniture is actually pretty genius, but …
"I thought it was just a marketing ploy to make people think cat nip works, when really most cats don't react."
"Oh, Bananas reacts," Maverick growls as a feline rebellious cry sounds off in the background. "Bananas is already like a loaded crackhead ninety-five percent of the time. Now she's like a little overdosed meth head with some acid in her too."
"What's she like the other five percent?" I ask automatically.
"Asleep."
This time, I laugh as Dale starts chuckling again. "I have to go internet shopping. Looks like I need all new furniture and a new bed. I'll send Ethan the bill," Maverick grumbles before the call ends.
"Why does he have a cat he hates?" I ask, unable to just let it go.
"Long story," Dale says, shaking his head. "But I'll tell you all about it tonight. And maybe tomorrow over dinner."
I perk up. "Dinner?"
He grins as his lips brush mine. "We've been skipping the fun dating stuff, and heading straight for the overnight fun. So we'll have a date tomorrow before the overnight fun."
He stands, keeping me in his arms, and I throw my arms around his neck.
"And in exactly five weeks, you'll need a nice dress. We'll be going to the Sterling Gala."
I smile like an idiot. I can remember dreaming about the Sterling Gala when I was younger. The annual event that pretty much everyone wants to attend, but only a select few are actually invited.
My family was invited, but I never was. Obviously I was an embarrassment to my father and stepmother, and dear ol' Dad didn't get an invite until he married an ex-Hughes.
"I'll even let you tell me who to un-invite," he says, smirking when my eyes widen. "I've already removed the five names you gave me. I've also removed your father from the list."
My stomach tilts, and something warm stirs in my chest as I stare into those determined blue eyes.
"What?"
He grins as he starts carrying me back toward the bedroom. Have I mentioned I love how strong he is? I feel all dainty and stuff. I've never felt dainty.
"Chloe Macintosh. Tasha Landcaster. Jessie Hughes. Rebecca Wilson. Johnna Flemming. Well, Johnna and Chloe were never invited, but the other three had their invites revoked. And Chloe and Johnna have been blacklisted from all Sterling events."
More warmth.
I'm not even ashamed about all those name doodles I did in my notebook earlier today now. Okay, I'm still ashamed about that. And I'm not telling him I did that either.
Crazy girl, party of one.
"Have I told you lately that you're a great boyfriend?" I ask on a dreamy sigh.
"No. In fact, you told me how I wasn't so great," he says as he drops me to the bed.
An embarrassing squeal slips out of me mid-air, but when I hit the bed, I stare up at him, unable to do anything but giggle as he comes down on top of me.
"You even tried to withhold sex," he goes on, brushing his lips over mine.
"I did," I agree, sighing dramatically. "I suppose I need to be punished."
"You won't let that go, will you? You really want my hand on your ass?" he asks seriously, and I grin.
"Definitely. Or is that not something you're actually into. I thought that was the most important part about the BDSM lifestyle."
He groans, brushing his forehead against mine. "Harley, I have to tell you something. And I want to tell you when you're naked and I have you pinned down."
That's … worrisome. "Why?"
"Because if I fuck you good enough, you'll forget to be mad. At least that's my plan. Kode says it's solid."
"Kode? Don't take advice from Kode."
He lifts his head, his eyes leveling me with a thoughtful gaze. "It was the best out of the four other ideas."
Intrigued, I tilt my head. "What were the other ideas?"
"Corbin says I should never tell and just take some classes."
"Classes?" I ask, confused.
"Dane thinks I should just come clean, accept the argument that will follow, and pray for makeup sex to come soon. Also, there are a lot of roses involved with his plan. And a cup. He suggested a cup in case I couldn't dodge a knee."
"Roses and a cup? Dodge what knee?"
"Maverick's plan involved kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome."
"Stockholm syndrome?" Why does it sound like I'm parroting all the important parts and not getting any answers? Because I am.
"He has some interesting reading habits. I'll leave it at that," Dale says on a sigh. "The point is, I have something to tell you."
"When I'm naked and pinned down," I say, repeating his earlier words.
"And sober," he adds, grinning as he runs his lips over mine. "Possibly tied to my bed as well."
He deepens the kiss, and I forget we're even talking as my fingers thread through his hair, pulling him closer as my legs slide around his waist.
I can't believe I didn't think sex was a good idea.
Chapter 34
DALE
For the past two weeks, life has gotten better.
And better.
And better.
Essentially, Harley has slept in my bed every night. Or I've slept in hers.
But I'm incredibly fucking worried about what happens when I tell her the truth about how her favorite room in my house came to be.
I should have just come clean from the beginning. That would have been the right thing to do. I've never thought with my dick. I've mocked Maverick mercilessly for doing such a thing.
Now I'm choking on years of karma.
Tonight. I'll tell her tonight. Or tomorrow if tonight doesn't work out.
See? That's what I've done for the past two weeks. Fortunately, she hasn't asked any questions about the vague promise of a confession that I made two weeks ago.
I've been focused on making sure she couldn't possibly be any happier, that way, she doesn't kick me in the balls when she learns the truth.
I happen to enjoy my balls. I've already lost half a leg. The rest of my body parts should be exempt from all future removals.
"It looks like we're going shopping, boys," Ruby says as she struts by with her purse slung over her shoulder.
My eyebrows go up as I sip my beer, watching as Harley flashes me a smile and moves toward me with Tria.
"For?" I ask.
"Corbin doesn't like my dress for the gala-"
"I love the fucking dress," Corbin interrupts, glaring over at her. "But it's more like something you wear in the bedroom, mostly fucking sheer. I told you to wear it. I'll fight if I have to."
I crack a grin as he glares at her and she grins. She just enjoys pissing him off. I'm glad Harley doesn't enjoy pissing me off.
Harley moves to sit in my lap, and my arm immediately goes around her waist as she settles into place. I'm kissing her bare shoulder as Ruby and Corbin banter, and Harley turns to face me.
"You going with them?" I ask her, and she shakes her head.
A grin spreads over my lips.
"You ready to get out of here?"