“I’ll get big as a house as it is. I don’t need help with that,” Teresa said in weak protest, staying where she was. “Hi, Julián. I’m so glad you could come over.”
Julián gave Teresa a chaste peck on the cheek and then made eye contact with Gwen and held it silently for several seconds, his emotions locked behind his fathomless dark brown eyes.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Gwendolyn.”
Oh, fuck.
She didn’t have to be a mind reader to know what the full-name treatment meant. She was in for a high-level discussion with this insanely sexy cowboy. She couldn’t help it when the shaky sigh left her lips. He lowered his gaze and looked her over before focusing on her mouth again. The muscles in his jaw moved as though he was clenching his teeth.
Looking amused, Angel nodded to the kitchen and said, “Let’s get you a cup of coffee too, Julián. We’ll talk in the kitchen for a minute.”
Julián gave a slight nod and removed his hat and placed it on the rack as he walked into the kitchen. His stride was confident but stiff as though he’d been unwilling to leave the room.
Teresa snickered and said, “Honey, I hope you’re ready for what you’ve unleashed.”
“Huh?” I’m the victim here. Aren’t I?
“That man looks in a ‘claiming mood.’”
Gwen scoffed. “Don’t be silly—”
“I know that look. You had him every bit as worked up as you did me. He looked like he wanted to wrap you up, take you home…and eat you alive.”
“Pfft. It’s not like that between us.” Surely she’s hallucinating.
“I have eyes and I know that look. I remember it very well from just a few years ago, on another Christmas Eve.” Teresa turned so that she partially faced Gwen. “He’s a wonderful man, Gwen. I hope you give in.”
Gwen felt her face go red-hot and she nudged Teresa’s shoulder lightly. “You hush.”
“He used your full name. You’re really in for it, I bet.”
Gwen snickered and whispered, “He told Chris to tell me that he planned to turn my butt hot pink when he saw me.”
Teresa fanned herself. “That’s what that look he gave you was about. He was imagining it. Damn, I love these hot-blooded men.”
“Yeah, well you’re not the one whose booty is in peril,” Gwen said, giggling. It wasn’t lost on her that she was once again wet between the thighs. She could deny any permanent attraction between them all she wanted, but what she couldn’t deny was that she wanted him fiercely anyway. Even if it was only temporary.
“I guess I’d better get in the kitchen. He looked like he wanted to talk.”
Teresa stopped her. “Let them get him up to speed. You shouldn’t have to tell that damned story more than once.”
Gwen feigned dismay. “I’m shocked by this shift in your language, Teresa.”
Teresa laughed and settled back in the pillows. “It’s Summer’s sister, Margot. She’s a bad influence on me at Discretion. Her fiancé, Jake, has her up in the air harping about something more often than not.”
“I remember him. I thought the three of them were really sweet together.”
“Oh, yeah. That would be her other fiancé, Gil’s influence. He’s a total sweetheart and the peacemaker in that threesome. I’ve never seen her happier than she is with both of them, but Jake delights in setting her off sometimes. Some men are like that. They just like to get a woman riled to see what she’ll do.”
Gwen smiled softly as she recalled another man who seemed to enjoy getting a reaction. Her heart fluttered at the thought of Chris Potter. She made eye contact with Teresa and her friend smiled knowingly.
“I knew it.”
“What?” Oh, you know exactly what!
“You like Chris, don’t you?”
“Huh?” No, no, no, no! No getting tangled up in Divine! Ménage Central!
“Don’t ‘huh?’ me, my friend. You like Chris, too, don’t you? How could you resist? I knew you would the moment you met him. It was serendipity that he found you when he did.”
“You’re just as bad as Grace!” Gwen said, hiding her hot face in her hands.
“I didn’t do anything,” Teresa said, innocence practically dripping from her. “I didn’t send him to Divine Drip. Fate did.”
Gwen scoffed. “He nearly ran over me!”
“So he made a big impression. Get to know him. He seems mouthy, and blustery, and…” Teresa’s words trailed off as she obviously struggled for the right words.