Blinking in surprise, Ava and Jade paused for a beat, then broke into hysterical laughter, clutched their stomachs, and rolled around on the sofa.
Lauren dug her hands on her hips. “I’m glad this is so amusing.”
“Oh God,” Ava said, wiping at the tears rolling down her face. “Next time warn us when you’re going to usehotandhornyin the same sentence.” This brought on more laughter.
Huffing out a breath, Lauren crossed her arms and waited for the laughter to die down. It took a while.
“Okay, okay, I’ve stopped now. Whew.” Jade gasped, trying to catch her breath, and fanned her face with her hand. “I realize the situation is serious.”
“No, it’s not—”
Jade held up a hand, stopping Lauren’s words. “Yes, it is. Apart from beinghot and horny.”
Jade’s lips twitched, but she held it together. Ava, on the other hand, cracked up again.
Lauren picked up a pillow from the sofa and threw it toward her head.
“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll behave,” Ava said as she blocked the missile.
Lauren doubted Ava could ever behave.
“You let him kiss youtwice,” Jade said.
God, if only they knew what else she’d let him do.
“You wouldn’t do that if you didn’t feel something for him.” Jade’s eyes flicked over to Ava’s grinning face.
“Oh yeah, she’s feelinghorny!” Ava giggled, and they both rolled around, laughing again.
“This is hopeless. I’m going home.” Lauren snatched up her wallet and keys from the glass coffee table.
“No, don’t go.” Ava grabbed her wrist and tugged her back down to the sofa. “We’ll be good, promise.” She crossed her heart and smiled like the Cheshire Cat.
Lauren couldn’t blame them for their questions and teasing; it really was a big deal to them. To her too. But she didn’t understand her attraction to Jack, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to. Everything had been going well for her until he came bursting onto the scene. Wasn’t it? She had great friends and a job she loved, what more could she want? So what if, in the middle of the night, she would have liked a warm body to snuggle with and a familiar face to wake up to in the morning? Or someone to talk about her day with. Okay, at times she felt a little lonely, but that didn’t mean she wanted Jack to fill the void. He was the last person she needed in her life. He would never be long-term.
Ava tried very hard to sober up, but her lips still curled up at the corners in a smile. “Why can’t you let yourself be open to the possibility of things going further with Jack?”
Lauren pointed a finger at Jade. “You of all people know what Jack’s like. You’ve relayed dozens of stories about all the women he hooks up with. I don’t want to be another one of those women.”
Jade, no longer laughing, said, “I don’t believe half the stuff I read. I know most of it is rubbish.”
“He’s admitted there’s an ounce of truth in there somewhere. And I’m not interested in being his next conquest.”
“You said it’s nothing serious,” Ava added.
“It’s not.”
“Well, if it’s nothing serious, why can’t you have a bit of fun with him? Who cares if he changes women like he changes his undies? You could use some hot, hunky guy to get your motor running for when you’re ready to get serious with the real deal.” Ava paused then added,
“Unless, you think it could lead to more than just having fun?”
“No,” Lauren denied. “I’m not worried about that.”
She knew Jack wasn’t a forever kind of man. He even told her he only wanted to have fun. One-night stands were more his thing, and he would be long gone before the sun rose the next day. She wasn’t wired that way. Sex had to be more than a heated attraction.
Yes, she was attracted to him. Yes, he was the firstMr. Prettyshe had noticed since Graham, and yes, he made her feel some weird and wonderful things all through her body. But she knew never to risk handing over her heart to a man like Jack. Nope. Never. Ever. Her body, on the other hand, may be another problem all together. It buzzed with excitement and heat every time he entered a room. No, she would be strong and would put up super-strong, industrialstrength barriers to stop herself from climbing all over him.
Lauren looked at Jade and Ava, her lips twitching, and she buried her face in her hands.
