“Yep,” Ben said.
Rick left and Tammy made a move to follow. Ben’s hand on her arm stilled her. His touch made her pulse quicken and she couldn’t afford this craziness at work.
“Ben,” she said in warning.
He stroked her bare arm, and then dropped his hand. “I’m sorry about this morning.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” she told him. “Have fun tonight.”
He nodded and she left him. Grabbing her bag from her office, she shut down her computer and locked up. Rapping on Claire’s door, she found her friend in pretty much the same state. Her shoes were still off and standing precisely near her desk chair, like they always were when she was working.
“Come on, girl.” Tammy stepped into the office. “We have some serious fun to get on tonight.”
Claire grinned at her and slipped on her shoes. “Yeah, we do.”
The two of them left the Sales Center. Claire dropped Tammy off so she could get dressed before heading home to do the same.
“The limo is picking us up at seven,” Claire told her.
Tammy saluted her. “Aye-aye, captain.”
Claire laughed. “Thanks again for taking care of the cakes.”
“No problem.”
Claire fiddled with the gearshift, and then let out a breath. “So what’s going on with you and Ben?”
Tammy continued to stare out the windshield, holding her expression. “Nothing’s going on.”
“You can’t fool me with your salesgirl voice.”
Tammy cursed softly. “Yeah, I know. But seriously, I won’t let anything else happen with Ben.”
“Anything else. Hmm. So you’re still, how did you put it? Playing?”
“We’re friends.”
“With benefits.”
Tammy shook her head. “Not exactly.”
Claire snorted. “I wonder how long he’ll play along.”
Tammy didn’t have an answer and she almost didn’t want to know. “So what are you wearing tonight?”
“Okay, the subject is officially changed.”
Tammy smiled and leaned back. Let any one of the ladies try to get her to talk about Ben tonight. She would be as silent as the grave. Or something like that.
Before long the four of them were happily settled in the back of a stretch Lincoln Navigator and on their way to Orlando, sipping the requisite champagne from crystal flutes. Tammy wore a short sheath dress in purple, topped by a lacy little cardigan a shade lighter. Claire wore a similar dress, done in what was now her signature poppy-orange color. As for the bride-to-be? Cassie was dressed like she was on the runway in Milan, and looking very young in her deceptively-blousy top over a short skirt.
“Cassie, you look hot,” Tammy said. “And like you’re not even old enough to drink.”
Cassie laughed and tossed her thick, dark hair over one shoulder. “Thanks.” Then she got a dreamy look in her eyes, eyes that were a lot like Ben’s. “I can’t believe I’m marrying Ty tomorrow.”
“He’s a lucky guy,” Harmony said. She looked very nice tonight as well, with a washed silk dress in blues and greens. “He’s getting a Chapman.”
Claire looked pointedly at Tammy, who managed to keep from giving anything away, and then turned back to Cassie. “I have to decorate your cake when I get home tonight, so don’t let me drink too much.”
Tammy laughed. “I say we let you get drunk enough to ask the waiter for a lap dance.”
Claire blushed but she grinned. “Jake promised me one if I give him one after the bachelor party.”
“Are they watching stag films?” Tammy asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Stag films?” Cassie blinked. “What are those?”
“Skin flicks, dear little sister,” Harmony said. “I don’t think they call them that anymore, though.”
Tammy shrugged. “I thought it was fitting, seeing as they’re going to be out in the woods.”
Cassie laughed. “Too funny. Well, I say let them watch anything they like.” She winked. “Get them all revved up.”
Tammy grew quiet as the limo rolled on toward Orlando. Yeah, just let Ben get all revved up. She’d probably get a bootie call at two o’clock in the morning. Or maybe he’d stop by her townhouse on the way back from the far lakeshore.
He’d be all intense and hot. He would tell her how much he needed her. Tempt her to throw her vows, and any hope of self-preservation, to the winds.
“More liquid courage, please,” she said, holding out her glass for another refill.
“Courage?” Harmony poured the champagne. “For what?”
“To keep a promise to myself.”
The other three women exchanged looks ranging from confused to convinced. She would put on her big girl panties and keep them on, thanks.
No matter how much Ben tempted her to let them drop to the floor.
Chapter 14
“How about another hand?” Jake said, shuffling the deck.
The rest of them all voiced their agreement, clinking their beer bottles together over the felt-covered table. Ben figured they were all feeling no pain but no one was at the messy “this guy…this guy here…” stage. Cards and cigars, and more than a few dirty jokes, were about the extent of their wild night.
The tent-cabin was a pretty cool place. It was built of canvas and exposed wood-framed walls, and it had small windows set way up in each of the gable ends of the structure for ventilation. A sink, a two-burner stove and a small fridge made up the kitchen and there was a small table/desk combo set in one corner.
There were a few feminine touches, too. Hair and makeup brushes, creams and other stuff all but covered the small shelf set under the mirror nailed to one wall stud. The rag rug on the floor was faded but added a softness. He could see his sister liking it out here, especially since her guy spent most nights out here, too.
Jake had brought in the card table and chairs they used tonight, and it was a pretty tight fit. A big iron bed took up most of the space. Tammy had called it a love shack, and he guessed it would serve pretty well as one. He just didn’t want to think about his little sister as half of the pair making use of that bed, thanks. He might have only known about her since May, but once he’d met her he found himself sharing his brothers’ protectiveness.
The tent-cabin was situated at the edge of a pristine lake. The lakeshore was wilder than the one to the west or at the Cypress Inn, with thick trees and reeds bordering it instead of sandy beach. There was a trailer set to one side, filled with chairs and other stuff for the wedding set-up in the morning. He thought about the Spanish moss-draped trees and the lapping of the water and reasoned it was a pretty nice place to get married.
Ben drank his beer as his brother dealt the cards. There wasn’t much teasing of the groom about wedding nights and breaking in the new wife tonight. That was really no surprise. The new wife in question was the little sister of all three of the other guys at the table. Still, he was having a good time hanging with his brothers and future brother-in-law.
“So this is pretty tame, huh bro?” Jake asked him, winking at Ty as he finished dealing and held his own hand of cards.
“It’s nice,” Ben said. “I’ve been to a few bachelor parties I can’t even remember.”
“I took Jake out to the strip club in Melbourne for his,” Rick said as he looked at his own cards before tossing a few chips into the center to ante up. “Out on the east coast.”
Jake laughed and shook his head. “And what happens in Melbourne, stays in Melbourne.”
Ben arched a brow, but Jake just added his own chips to open. “Kidding, bro. The view was pretty good, though.”
“The last stag I went to was back in Santa Cruz.” Ben looked at his lousy hand of cards and held up two fingers. He took the two cards Jake dealt him and set his hand face down on the table. “For a friend of a friend. Involved more liquor and women I think were at least as pretty as the three of you.”
“Got a few lap dance
s, did you?” Ty asked.
Ben dipped his head. “I think I ended up with my pants around my ankles a few times, but yeah.”
Jake whistled. “Sounds like a party I went to out in Aspen a couple of years ago.”
Ben grinned and lifted his bottle to salute him. He’d known Jake was a player before settling down with Claire. It didn’t seem like the guy missed any of that life, though.
“How about you, Ty?” Rick asked, taking one card and keeping his poker face. Ben already knew that the guy rarely gave anything away. “Any naked skeletons in your closet?”
Ty gave his trademark “aw-shucks” expression and shrugged. “Not too many, no.”
“Hmm,” Jake teased. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”
Ty shrugged. “Maybe. But if you think I’m going to tell it to my bride’s three brothers, you’re crazy.”
“Fair enough,” Ben said.
Play continued around the table until both Ben and Ty folded and it was down to Jake and Rick. Jake wore his every expression on his face, much like their sister. It was clear he had a killer hand and it was just as clear that you couldn’t tell what Rick was holding.
“I raise you five dollars,” Rick said, his gaze even.
Ben looked from him to Jake, seeing the sparkle in his brother’s eyes. Apparently Ty was enjoying this particular game as well, for a crooked smile brought out one of his dimples.
“I see your five and raise you ten,” Jake said, leaning toward Rick.
Rick eyed him, and then added more of his own chips to the pile. “I call.”
Jake spread his cards, showing a royal flush. Hearts, of all things. Fitting, given tomorrow’s event. “I’ve got you, bro.”
Rick turned over his hand, showing an impressive full house of queens over jacks, but it didn’t beat Jake’s.
“I should have known better,” Rick said to Ben as Jake took the markers. “The guy has no poker face. I should have known he had a killer hand.”
“Yeah,” Jake put in. “If it had come down to you and Ben, it would’ve been different. He’s got your deadpan down for sure. Pure mystery.”
“Me?” Ben was surprised. “I didn’t know I had a look of mystery.”
“Don’t sound all romantic about it,” Jake laughed. “I just mean that you’re a little bit like our big bro here. Still waters, and all that.”
“That’s what Cassie says about me,” Ty said.
“And let that be the last thing you tell us Cassie says about you.” Rick said.
Ty chuckled. “No argument here.”
Jake got up and grabbed a few more beers out of the little fridge. “Another one, Ben?”
Ben shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m driving.”
“You’re welcome to crash out here with me,” Ty said. “These two need to go home so they can be all pretty for the wedding tomorrow.”
“And what about you?” Jake asked Ty.
“My tux is hanging over there,” Ty answered, indicating a garment bag hung from a hook on one of the framing studs. “My mother is taking care of Riley in the morning. I just have to shower, shave and I’m ready.
“Ben has it even easier,” Rick said. “He just has to show up with the other guests.”
“I don’t know how easy tomorrow morning will be,” Ben said. “You know Bill is staying at the inn.”
Rick’s lips thinned a little. “Cassie told me.”
“At least you’ll only have to share the breakfast part of the B and B with him,” Jake said. “Speaking of which, what’s up with you and Tammy?”
Ben leveled a look at him, hoping he really did have his oldest brother’s deadpan. “Nothing’s up.”
“Bullshit,” Rick said.
Ben gaped at him. “Why do you say that?”
“I work with her,” Rick went on. “And I’ve seen you around her. Your tongue was practically hanging out this afternoon.”
“She’s hot.” Ben fiddled with his discarded cards. “I’m a guy. It was just a natural reaction.”
“I’m not accusing you of anything,” Rick said. “I’m just making an observation.”
“All right, then,” Ben said.
Jake folded his arms and leaned back. Ben could read the speculation on his face, as clear as his winning hand had been.
“What?” Ben asked him.
Jake just shrugged. “Seems to me we had this little talk already.”
Ben stood, so not ready to have this conversation again any time soon. “And that’s my cue. Guys, I’ll see you tomorrow.” His brothers nodded and Ben shook Ty’s hand, clapping him on the shoulder. “Good luck tomorrow, man. You’re getting a great girl.”
Ty smiled broadly now. “Don’t I know it.”
Ben left them and got back in his Jeep. He’d had a good time with these guys. Comfortable. That last bit shocked the hell out of him. He’d only known them for a few months but they’d treated him the same way they did each other. He’d gotten a lot more than a change of scenery when he’d come down here.
A welcoming family. Check. Dedication and enthusiasm for his newest project. Check. A hot woman to tempt him to try and win her over. Check and check.
He might not have come to Cypress Corners with the intentions to stay, but it sure looked like the place was doing its level best to convince him this was just where he wanted to be.
Roots grew fast and deep here, though. Just look at how fast his siblings had settled themselves. Fast and deep he could do, if he could finally manage to get Tammy into bed. But roots?
His life in California left him no real moorings. He’d relished a laid-back lifestyle and had no real connections now that his mother was gone.
How could he settle anywhere if he didn’t know how?
***
Tammy stepped out of the limo in front of her townhouse, wobbling a little on her heels. Laughter from inside reached her as she waved goodnight and stumbled up the steps to her door. Whoa, she hadn’t had this much to drink since…she couldn’t remember exactly when right now, but it was a long friggin’ time ago.
She managed to unlock her door and close it behind her with a slam. “Shh,” she murmured, kicking off her shoes.
She made her way to the kitchen and grabbed a glass and filled it with water through the refrigerator door. A few gulps of the cold liquid and she felt steadier. Her pretty house was still spinning just a little bit, though. Man, her couch looked comfy. Flopping down on it, she shifted and put her feet up on the very nice, distressed wood coffee table.
She’d had a great time tonight. Her friends were so nice. Even Cassie, whom she’d only known since the spring, was as warm to her as she was to Claire and Harmony.
True, Tammy had flirted with all of their guys in her time. She’d been honest with Ben about that. It pissed her off when he’d hinted that she’d been with his brothers, though. Really! Sure she would have tumbled into bed with either one of them if they’d asked back then. Heck, she would have given Ty a chance to tame her if he’d wanted to. But that was before they fell in love with their women. And now she only appreciated them in the abstract for the hot guys they were. Now Ben, on the other hand.
Him, she could have. Any way she wanted for as long as she wanted. Or as short. Why didn’t she just give in and sleep with him? It would be good. So good. He had moves she could appreciate. He’d liked what she’d done to him a couple of times, too. He scared her, though. He meant things she knew she wasn’t ready for, no matter how much he denied it.
Upending her little party purse, she found her phone and scrolled through the contacts. He was in there. He’d put his phone number in there before she’d left his room at the inn.
“He thought I didn’t notice.” She smiled to herself. “Silly boy.”
She tapped the text symbol and started typing. She would tell him just what she thought about his insinuations…that word took a long time to type…about her and his brothers. Send. About how she wasn’t going to give in no mat
ter what. Send. She would tell him just what she would do to him if she did give in. Send. And how pretty his eyes were. Send. And how much fun she had with his very nice body. Send.
“There!” She let the phone slip from her fingers and leaned her head back. “Take that, Mr. Ben Chapman.”
She took a deep breath before standing once more. Stripping off her dress, she made her way up the stairs to her bedroom and stretched out on the bed in her underwear.
Sometime later, she cracked open an eye to see the morning sun peeking through her blinds. Her mouth was dry and her face felt sticky. No big surprise there. She’d fallen asleep in half of her clothes and all of her makeup. No hangover headache today, though. She’d count herself lucky there.
Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, she saw it was almost nine o’clock. Stretching until she groaned, she tried to focus on the coming day. Thank God she had no duties regarding the Chapman/Walsh nuptials. She had all day to rest up for the ceremony this afternoon and the party to follow.
After washing her face and spending a long time under the shower, she felt more like herself. As she waited for her coffee maker to give up the goods, she picked up her discarded shoes and clothes from the floor. Her purse had spilled all over the couch, so she gathered up the lip gloss, card wallet, keys and phone from the cushions. Something niggled at the back of her mind as she plugged the phone into its charger. Something about Ben.
God, had she drunk-dialed Ben last night? No. Had she raised any sort of flag in his direction he would have been over in a flash. They would have ended up in her bed, too. Her conviction was never very strong around him as it was. If he’d made his move last night, she knew she would have been all over him. This morning she’d woken up alone, so she took that as a sign of some strength, anyway. Oh, but he would have looked very nice tangled up in her Egyptian cotton sheets this morning.
She dressed to grab some relaxation before she had to get ready for the wedding. And like that Sunday morning she’d run into Ben, she headed for the lakeshore reserved for guests of the Cypress Inn.
As she’d hoped, the small beach was deserted. She spread her towel on one of the loungers and dropped her crocheted cover up. Letting out a breath, she stretched out and closed her eyes.
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