She opened her mouth to protest, but he sealed it shut with a deep, soul-stirring kiss that took all the fight from her. Arilyn surrendered to the masterful embrace, reaching up on her toes for more, helpless to every stroke of his tongue until he slowly eased his mouth from hers.
They stared at one another for a long time. His thumb pressed against her bottom lip, dragging across the tender flesh before finally pulling back.
“It’s hard for me to share. The marriage was good in the beginning, but too easy. When things got hard, we both gave up without a fight. I worked too hard, too much, and didn’t care. Then one night I came home to find her with my partner. Something died in me. Don’t think it’ll come back.” She listened hungrily to every word, every expression flickering across his rough features. “I detest lies and cheats. I’m still a workaholic and suck at relationships. But I didn’t mean to hurt you. And I want you, Arilyn Meadows. Real bad.” He turned and headed for the door. “But next time you have to ask me. See you in class.”
He left.
She pressed shaking fingers to her mouth. The rules had changed, and she wasn’t sure what she was going to do about it.
eleven
ARILYN LOOKED IN the mirror.
No. Way.
She couldn’t go out looking like a—a tramp. A hot tramp, but still. She turned around to check out her behind and admired the snug fit over her curves. Hmm, she had nice assets back there. Too bad no one was ever around to enjoy them.
She bet Stone Petty was a butt man.
No. Not thinking about him. He was completely off-limits on girls’ night out.
Arilyn dragged in a breath, thought about changing, then realized Kennedy wouldn’t allow it. She’d probably march her right back inside and wait until she chose another outfit. Might as well stand tall and try to pull the look off.
The short black miniskirt barely skimmed the tops of her knees. The boots covered her whole calves and boasted high, chunky heels, making her even taller. The shirt was a button-down silk, but it was defective. The buttons only began halfway down, so what little cleavage she had was on display. The badass fake leather jacket gave the whole outfit a naughty edge.
She squinted at her face. After carefully checking to make sure the makeup Kennedy dropped off had been produced without animal testing, she buckled and used some of it. Mascara darkened her gold lashes, blush highlighted her cheekbones, and red lipstick brought out the paleness of her skin and the green of her eyes. Pretty cool.
Her hair was left loose, but Kennedy made her curl it with the iron. Fat waves rolled over her shoulders and tumbled over one eye. She looked sexy.
Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. If she could walk in the heels, that is.
A loud beeping echoed down the street. Arilyn grabbed her clutch and raced out the door. The white stretch limo pulled to the curb and a bunch of giggly, happy women waved through the tinted windows. Oh, boy, what was she in for?
A tingle of excitement shimmered down her spine. Maybe she’d let go tonight. Kiss a strange boy. Man, she corrected herself. She’d kiss a hot, sexy man in the club, in the dark. Maybe that would get Stone Petty off her mind. She needed this night to get a fresh perspective. Getting involved with him was bad on all levels. If she was attracted to someone else tonight, maybe it would prove that her hormones were overloaded and it had nothing to do with him.
Oh, she hoped.
Arilyn ran to the limo and climbed in. The scents of mingled perfume, alcohol, and feminine excitement simmered in the air. Kate, Kennedy, and Genevieve were dressed to the max, so she suddenly didn’t feel awkward. Everyone wore short skirts or dresses, cool jackets, and super-high heels. Kate’s sister-in-law, Jane, even sported a flouncy skirt and boots. She was introduced to three other girls Kate had met from Slade’s office, and then they were zooming down the Verily streets toward wildness.
Champagne flowed, gossip flew, and bonding began in the primitive way only females knew. After eating and partying at the famous Lucky Cheng’s, they piled back in the car and hit a few trendy after-work bars, then a gay strip club where they danced like no one was watching. And no one really was.
By the time they headed back to Mugs in Verily, they were ushered to the back room. Halfway drunk, relaxed, and finally not caring, Arilyn waited for the big event.
The male stripper.
Kate bumped into her, spilling some of her drink and groaning. “A, you gotta help me. I don’t want another naked man pawing me, and Kennedy won’t listen. As the single one in the group, you need to step up and be my wingman.”
Arilyn hiccupped. These cosmos were so good. Extra fruity. Oh, and she felt so light and warm. How long had it been since she’d gotten tipsy? Way too long. “Wing woman. What do I gotta do?”