“You never look the same two days in a row,” Riley says. “I love it.”
I shrug. “The way I look doesn’t seem to have anything to do with men being faithful to me.”
“That’s because you pick idiots.” Mia takes another bite of asparagus and frowns at her fork.
“I know what you need,” Riley announces. “You need a sexcation man.”
I swallow the wine in my mouth and frown at my friend. “A what?”
“You need to find a guy that you can just call up like once a month and go see him—”
“But he doesn’t live here,” Cami adds, surprising the hell out of me. “You have to travel to see him.”
“Right, because you don’t need him to be hanging around, mooching off of you, or generally just annoying the hell out of you,” Kat says with a nod.
“Exactly,” Riley says and grins. “So, he lives in like Seattle or maybe San Francisco, ’cause that’s just a short flight. And you go see him for a couple days, have a lot of crazy sex, then come home and get back to your life. Everyone’s happy. No strings.”
I feel like I’m watching some sort of sports game as I look from friend to friend, trying to follow this crazy conversation.
And it’s even crazier because I kind of like this idea.
“But he can’t be a musician,” Mia adds.
“No way,” I reply, getting into the spirit. “Been there, regretted that. But he has to have a good job. A really good job. And he’s really smart.”
“And knows his way around the bedroom,” Kat says.
“Or kitchen,” Cami says with a smirk.
“Or bathroom. Water play is fun,” Mia adds.
“Or balcony,” Riley says, raising her glass in salute.
I can’t stop laughing. Oh my God, these girls are so funny.
“This is why we’re friends,” I say, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. “Also, he has to have awesome abs. Like, abs for days. And maybe blond hair. Blue eyes. Green? No, blue.”
I’m babbling now, and the girls are all smiling, but just watching me, letting me ramble.
“I like tattoos, but they’re not a deal breaker. He has to be tall. Taller than me for sure. And he can do this thing with his—”
I glance up and notice Cami look over my shoulder and smile wider and I stop midsentence.
“Oh God. Who’s behind me?”
“Hi, Jake,” Mia says and wiggles her fingers in a wave.
I drop my chin to my chest and mutter, “Fuck me.”
Suddenly, warm lips are next to my ear, and Jake whispers, “Yes, I think that’s what would be involved in this sexcation thing.”
Kat snorts and I do my best to pull my dignity around me, along with my big-girl panties, and clear my throat.
“Hello, Jake.” I stand and gesture to the girls around the table. “You remember Kat from the other day.”
Kat waves hello.
“This is Mia, our master chef.” Mia smiles.
“Cami is our CPA, and Riley is in charge of marketing and publicity. And the five of us are all co-owners of Seduction.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. You’re an intimidating bunch, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?” Riley asks.
“Gorgeous, intelligent, powerful.” Jake shrugs. “Pretty amazing.”
“I like him,” Kat says. “He can stay.”
Jake winks at her, and I turn to lead him away. He’s charming. And looks better than anyone should in his torn jeans and simple gray T-shirt. The tattoos on his arms are just . . . God. And his body is firm.
Get a grip, Addison!
“This is a pretty simple setup,” I begin, glancing over my shoulder to make sure he’s following me, and catch him eyeing my ass. “Don’t look at my ass.”
“No, ma’am,” he replies with a cocky grin.
That smile makes a whole zoo take up residence in my stomach. The first time he smiled at me the other day, my immediate thought was Oh shit.
Because he could bring me to my knees with that smile.
No way.
“I’m taller than you, you know. And I have tats. I know that wasn’t a deal breaker, but it’s a bonus.”
I shake my head.
“I have brown hair, but I could lighten it. And I think you settled on blue eyes, but I heard green mentioned, and . . . bingo.” He bats his eyes at me and before I know what’s happening, he lifts the hem of his shirt.
Oh, sweet Jesus.
“And I’m not one to brag, but, abs.”
“The mic and stool are here as you requested.” I turn away, doing my best to calm down my breathing and ignore him. “You are welcome to drink whatever you like as you play. Just let the server know what you want and she’ll make sure you have it all night.”
He nods and toes off his shoes, making me frown.
“I always sing barefoot,” he says. “It’s been a habit since the early days.”
“Why?”
“I have no idea.” He laughs and shakes his head. “I guess it’s just comfortable.”
And your feet are sexy.
Figures.
“I can’t believe you’re really doing this!” A brunette launches herself into Jake’s arms and holds on tight. She’s gorgeous, tall, and clearly very attached to Jake. He grins widely and wraps his arms around her tenderly.