“We’re not talking about this right now. Actually, we’re never talking about this.”
He was firm. Too bad for him not only was I determined; I had a secret weapon to combat his battle of wills.
“Never say never, Duncan. You know I have ways of making you spill the beans.”
“Leave Shayne out of it.”
Damn. He knew me too well.
“I’ll make you a deal. We’ll table this discussion”––I scootched forward until my three-inch, black satin Louises touched the floor––“if you promise to keep your mind and your heart open.”
“I’ve never lied to you, Way, and I’m not about to start with a promise I can’t keep.”
“God, you’re infuriating.”
He motioned between us. “Pot meet kettle.”
“Touché.”
He pushed out of the chair, then wrapped me in a hug. It was such an un-Duncan-like move, I froze. After a few moments of awkwardness, I returned his embrace.
“I wasn’t meant for the long haul, Way,” he whispered. “The wife, two-point-five kids, and house with the white picket fence aren’t in the cards for me. I’m okay with that and I need you to be okay with it too.”
If that’s what he needed, I’d give it to him, even though I’d never be all right watching him settle for a life of loneliness. Call me a sap, but I wanted my two best friends to find the kind of happiness I’d found with Finn. Shayne was at least open to the possibility. Duncan was going to be a harder sell. Regardless of what I said next, I wouldn’t give up on him. I couldn’t.
Falling back a step, I looked into his eyes while praying lightning didn’t strike me where I stood. “Okay.”
“Thank you. Now let’s go back out there and get to work.”
“You’re being an asshole again.”
He shrugged, walking toward the door. “I can live with that.”
We ended up having pizza delivered to my office for dinner, since no one wanted to leave until every last detail of the op was hashed out. It took hours of back-and-forth before plans C and D were devised in case A and B went sideways. I still wasn’t gung-ho about using Finn, even with the knowledge that every possible scenario had been meticulously covered. It wasn’t sitting right with me, but I was in the minority.
“When you said you’d take me shopping, I didn’t think you meant tonight.”
Finn and I were the last to leave. It wasn't until we were amile away from his rental when he informed me about our upcoming evening excursion. Shopping was the last damn thing I wanted to do; however, a little retail therapy might take my mind off the days ahead. I was confused when instead of continuing toward downtown, he pulled into his driveway.
“While you were busy with your team, I was busy activating Sloane and Noreen.”
I shifted sideways in my seat as he put the SUV in park. “What does that mean?”
“I knew you wouldn’t want to go back out once we got home, so I solicited the help of my sister and my assistant. They brought the store to us.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m also selfish.” He unbuckled his seat belt, then leaned across the center console, caressing my inner thigh with his thumb. “I’ll take every opportunity to get you alone and naked.”
“How about we skip right to the naked part?”
“Why? Are you aching, baby?”
My core throbbed with need as his hand drifted higher, dipping under the hem of my skirt. Any farther, he’d feel the evidence of my desire dripping from my core. He’d also figure out I’d gone commando that morning. Panty lines with tight dresses were distasteful, in my opinion.
“Yes,” I groaned when he reached my center. Without warning, he thrust two fingers inside me.
“Come on my fingers first. After you pick out a dress, you can come on my tongue.”
