CHAPTER 1
It wasobvious Gabe’s plan to play it cool was flawed from the moment Rosie and Lori walked in wearing their high-femme outfits of tight pencil skirts, silk blouses, and killer heels. And the way Gabe’s jaw practically hit the ground the moment she laid eyes on Lori was comical. Shay had expected nothing less, and honestly, she couldn’t blame Gabe. The two best friends were stunning. Almost everyone in the bar had clocked their arrival, either with a full-on stare or a surreptitious sideways glance. And more than a few women had pulled their partners’ gazes away from the door as Rosie and Lori entered. And yes, Shay appreciated them too. Why wouldn’t she? While she’d never go anywhere near Lori even though Gabe was adamant she couldn’t go beyond friend status, pursuing Rosie was a distinct possibility. Rosie had seemed pretty interested last Saturday when she and Lori had dropped into the garage to make a TikTok video.
Right now though, Shay was still reeling from Gabe’s confession that she’d been terrified to come out of the Army. After twenty years of being best friends, Shay thought she’d become an expert in reading her. How could she not have known? But Gabe had promised she was okay,andshe was already locked into an animated conversation with Lori as they played pool. Shay glanced over at Rosie as she returned from the bar with a couple of beers. Shewasexactly what Shay had been looking for tonight.
“Hey, you.” Rosie placed her hand on Shay’s hip and nodded toward Gabe and Lori. “I guess that leaves you stranded with me.”
“Unless you want to play doubles?”
Rosie shook her head. “I don’t really like games that involvemore than two people.”
Shay smiled, appreciating Rosie’s directness. “One on one is my preference too. You can really get to know who you’re playing with then.” She motioned to a nearby booth. “There’s nothing wrong with watching though, right?”
“Sometimes,” Rosie whispered and dropped her hand from Shay’s hip.
Shay sat facing the pool tables, enabling her to monitor Gabe, but Rosie slid elegantly into the booth beside her, putting the game out of view. She figured that’d be okay. Gabe seemed happy enough, and Rosie had obviously decided they had their own game to play.
“I like what you’re wearing.” Rosie slipped her hand onto Shay’s thigh. “I didn’t think I liked trouser suits on a woman, but you look fabulous.”
Shay tugged on her vest then shifted the loose tie she was wearing with no shirt. “I enjoy playing with conventions.”
“What else do you enjoy playing with?”
Shay ran her tongue over her top lip. “All sorts of things.” Her breath caught when Rosie inched her hand all the way to Shay’s crotch.
“What’s wrong?” Rosie pressed a little harder. “Are you used to being the one in control?”
Shay nodded slowly. “That’s usually how it works out, but I’m not fixed on anything. I can be incredibly flexible.”
“It certainly looks like it.” Rosie dragged her nails along Shay’s arm, following the gentle lines of her muscles. “Yoga?”
“Among other things, yeah.” She hadn’t expected Rosie to go all-in so quickly, but she was more than prepared to go with the flow. “Is this a good idea?” She hoped that Rosie didn’t back up, but she had to ask once.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Rosie pressed the heel of her hand between Shay’s legs. “Am I going too fast for you? I got the impression you weren’t really interested in small talk.”
Shay relaxed back against the plush velvet material of the bench. “What other impressions did you get?”
“I think you enjoy short-term fun and aren’t looking for anything serious.”
“And you’re good with that? The U-Haul stereotype really isn’t for me.”
Rosie bit her bottom lip and moved in closer. “I think I’m good to take whatever you’re offering. Is that what you’re worried about?”
She brushed her lips against Shay’s neck, making it hard to concentrate on conversation, though her body was talking up a storm in response to Rosie’s touch. Shay waved her finger in the general direction of Gabe and Lori. “It might get complicated.”
“I don’t think so,” Rosie murmured into her neck and kissed her collarbone. She tugged Shay’s tie gently. “We’re all adults. Your friend has promised me she won’t hurt Lori, but I don’t need the same assurances. I know what I’m getting myself into.”
“That’s refreshing,” Shay whispered.
“So you should kiss me and see if there’s any real chemistry worth following up on.”
Rosie eased up, and the air conditioning cooled Shay’s skin where Rosie had pressed her hot, wet lips.
“Is that how it works?” Shay placed her hand over Rosie’s, which was still pressed hard against her crotch. “Because this already feels like real chemistry.”
Rosie shook her head slightly. “It’s always in the kiss, Shay. If there’s nothing in the kiss, there’s nothing worth pursuing.”
“Some people don’t kiss at all when they’re fucking.”
