Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  “Touché.”

  Out of all the venues they’d played in, Theo’s biggest complaint was the lighting. Though some never bothered him, most left him feeling like a day-old pizza under a heat lamp in a convenience store. At least the lights were mounted high enough in this club. Otherwise, he’d be battling a wicked headache, as well as a dry throat.

  “Holy shit, dude,” Jesse began as he sat up straight. “You still haven’t told me about those chicks you were talking to. Damn, they’re smokin’ hot.”

  Theo didn’t bother hiding the smile on his lips, nor did he rush to give Jesse all the details. He took a swig of his beer and surveyed the bar, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bombshell he’d chatted with two minutes prior to show time.

  When he didn’t spot her right away, he refocused on his friend. “The redhead is Cee-Cee. Her friend is Elle. They’re gorgeous, built, and willing to go wherever we want when the show is over.”

  A deep chuckle resonated from Jesse’s mouth. He twisted his head from side to side, ogling Theo the entire time. “You smooth-talkin’ son of bitch. I don’t know how the hell do you do it. Must be a gift.”

  Smirking at Jesse’s response, Theo finished his beer and set the empty bottle on the bar. It clinked against his shot glass as he shrugged. “Must be, man. I don’t know. I’m just me.”

  Jesse crossed his hands over his heart and batted his lashes as he leaned closer to Theo. “And that’s why you’re my hero, bro.”

  “Man, get out of here.” Theo pushed Jesse back and laughed. His friend always could make him laugh. While he might be able to sweet-talk the ladies, Jesse won them over with his wit. Theo envied that about him.

  As Jesse ordered another round, Theo surveyed the bar again, taking his time to study some of the faces. Allen had slipped out the side door to grab a smoke, which explained why he hadn’t joined them. But where in the hell was his brother?

  “Did you talk to Jonah before he bolted?”

  Jesse rocked his head side to side while taking a drink from the new beer the bartender had brought. He swallowed hard, wiped his mouth, and looked Theo in the eyes. “It was brief. He said something about needing to get some air.”

  “Figures… You know what coming back here does to him.”

  “Yeah, it gives him a bad case of Ally-itis. Common symptoms are mood swings, confusion, and a set of swollen gnads. Your brother needs to find him a piece or jack off.”

  Laughter roared from Theo’s chest. He high-fived his friend and both took another drink of their beers. As much as he enjoyed making jokes at his brother’s expense, part of him felt for Jonah. Love was a bitch, or so he’d heard.

  “Guess I better go track him down. We have about fifteen minutes before we do the second half of the set. Wanna come with me?”

  “Nah, I’m good.” Jesse tipped his beer backward, took a long drink, then set the empty bottle down. “Think I’ll order another shot and bum a cigarette off Allen.”

  “I thought you quit.”

  “Yeah, well, drinking makes me crave it. Guess we all have our vices. See you in a few?”

  Nodding at Jesse, Theo eased away from the bar and made his way toward the back of the club. Might as well hit up the men’s room first. It wouldn’t take long to pop inside and see if Jonah was there. If not, the back door was close. The exit sign above the archway said as much.

  The metal door cooled his hands when he opened it and entered. It closed back as he went further in and examined the stalls and urinals. There was no sign of anyone, much less his brother.

  Jonah had to be outside like Jesse mentioned. His brother wouldn’t leave him right before the second half of a set. Doing so would be bad for his career as much as Theo’s, considering he was the one to set up this gig.

  Now was not the time to think negatively.

  Swift steps had him opening the door and entering the hall. The back door came into view just as he ran into something warm and firm. Only it wasn’t a thing. It was a person.

  The minor collision forced him to make an abrupt stop. He teetered on his toes in order to keep from knocking the person to the ground. Once he regained his balance, he caught a glimpse of a woman passing by, a woman he’d carelessly bumped into. Their impact caused her to stumble a little to the right, but it didn’t slow her gait.

  “Excuse me,” she mumbled and continued toward the door.

  “My bad, darlin’.”

  He stared in silence, disbelieving that she’d barely acknowledged him. There weren’t many women he could say that about. If this chick weren’t in such a hurry to get outside, he assumed she would have at least spared him a glance.

  Still watching her retreating figure, he walked backwards, unable to look away from her curves. Something about the way her hips swayed when she walked made his pulse quicken. Maybe it was just her body. The rear view was mighty fine. Bet the front view was just as awesome.

  Once she disappeared behind the door, he came to another stop. What the hell was he doing anyway? He was supposed to be going outside too, not heading back toward the bar.

  Damn women…

  Try as he may, females always managed to distract him, especially redheads. The ones he’d encountered were full of fire and passion, two qualities he loved in a woman.

  Yet the more he thought about the rich, red locks this chick had, the tighter his gut twisted. He’d seen his share of redheads, but not many with a shade that vibrant. In truth, he could only think of one person.

  “It can’t be,” he mumbled to himself.

  Much like his brother, this city was getting to him. It began with memories. Now his mind was playing tricks. If being in Savannah for two days was already messing with him, he’d lose his mind before he left in a couple weeks.

  Regardless of whether or not he’d lost the love of his life like Jonah, he still had memories that haunted him. And most of those memories centered on the one thing he always wanted—the one thing he never had an opportunity to claim.

  A chance with Cassie Clarke.

  ***

  The deafening sound of Cassie’s heartbeat increased the minute she opened the back door and strode outside. Her upper arm ached from the impact she incurred with the gentleman leaving the men’s room. The least she could have done is look at him when she excused herself, but she had little time to spare.

  Once she spotted Ally, a wave a relief washed over her. “God, there you are! What are you doing out here? I thought you were going to wait in the bathroom for five minutes?”

  Ally glared in her direction. Her cheeks turned crimson, as though Cassie had just said the most embarrassing thing ever. But it wasn’t until Cassie followed her friend’s gaze that she understood Ally’s reaction.

  A soft gasp escaped her lips when she noticed a tall figure standing a few feet away. It was the one person Ally said she wanted to avoid—Jonah McCabe.

  Hells bells. She’d failed at her mission to help Ally escape unnoticed. Now she’d have to do damage control. Hopefully, Ally wasn’t upset with her for not running interference. She’d come back to the restroom earlier than she’d planned.

  As Jonah and Ally continued staring at one another, nothing about their body language seemed unusual, nor did their conversation appear to be stressing Ally. In fact, the mood seemed cozy. The slight grin Jonah wore said he was enjoying his present company. Had Ally reconsidered talking to him? It sure as hell appeared that way.

  Turning back in Ally’s direction, Cassie fought to hide the smile forming on her lips. She pressed them tighter, and then relaxed them as she cleared her throat. “Oh… Am I interrupting?”

  Tension thickened the air. It consisted of anxiety, awkwardness, and a six-year-old longing that hadn’t faded in the least. It couldn’t have. The spark in Jonah’s eyes, the one he always got when Ally was near, still remained. And Ally’s reaction to seeing him said everything about how she felt, no matter how much she tried to hide it.

  “You’re not inte
rrupting.” Ally answered. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

  Cassie wrinkled her nose as her brows drew together. “Late?”

  “We were supposed to meet up five minutes ago.” Ally grumbled as she tapped her watch.

  Cassie peeked at Jonah, but he didn’t notice her. He was too attuned to Ally’s every movement. For Pete’s sake, why did they pretend not to want each other? They needed to hook up already.

  Inching closer to her friend, Cassie reached forward and wrapped her hand around Ally’s wrist. Her brows rose again when she pointed to the watch and asked, “You timed yourself on this thing after you were late for the comedy show?”

  Ally grew quiet. She stared at the watch, running her finger over it. Poor thing. Her mother was still interfering with her life. It was the watch she’d purchased that aided in tonight’s turn of events. Boy, would Paula be pissed if she knew the gift she gave her daughter reunited her with the one person she wanted out of Ally’s life.

  “How long before the cab gets here?”

  The sudden subject change came out of nowhere. Cassie parted her lips to answer, but Jonah didn’t give her a chance. He pushed off the wall, drawing their attention back to him. The spark Cassie noticed earlier dulled with disappointment.

  “You’re leaving already? It’s still early.”

  “I have somewhere to be in the morning,” Ally answered. “I need sleep.”

  It was a lie. Cassie knew as much, but the scowl on Ally’s face said she didn’t want Jonah to know otherwise. Great. Now she’d have to lie. She hated lying. More than that, she hated that she’d been wrong. Ally wasn’t giving Jonah a chance.

  “Tomorrow is Saturday,” he grumbled. “What could you possibly… You know what. It’s none of my business.”

  The discouraging tone of his voice pulled at Cassie’s heart. He wasn’t going to pressure Ally, no matter how much he wanted to talk to her. It was proof of how much he still cared.

  Cassie refused to give up hope. There was still time to change Ally’s mind. All she had to do was—

  Hinges groaned behind her. She turned in time to see the door open and a man as tall as Jonah step out. “Hey Jonah, we’re gonna—whoa.” His piercing gaze shifted in her direction. “Cassie…? Cassie Clarke?”

  No. Fucking. Way.

  “Theo McCabe… Long time no see.”

  “You ain’t lying.” He studied every inch of her body, making it heat in places she never expected. But the warmth faded the moment he noticed Ally. “Holy shit… Cassie Clarke and Ally Jacobs. This is an all around blast from the past.”

  He had that much right. Only it was better—much better. Theo didn’t look like the troublemaker she remembered, the tall, yet average-sized boy that had one hell of a right hook. He seemed taller, and judging by the size of his biceps, he probably hadn’t lost his ability to throw a good punch. But average was no way to describe him…neither was calling him a boy.

  He was a man, a well-built, drool-worthy, make-your-panties-wet-in-an-instant type of man. And he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “So ladies, what are you doing after the show?”

  I know what I’d like to be doing… You.

  Warmth filled her cheeks when Theo’s brows knitted, like he’d heard her thoughts. She gave herself a mental kick in the ass for even thinking about him that way. She never had in the past, but then, he never looked this good before.

  Stop it.

  It was silence that interrupted her inner chastising. She’d expected Ally to answer Theo’s question since she was the one in a hurry, but her best friend stood there, gawking at him and Jonah. Guess her guilty conscious was catching up with her, which left Cassie to explain the situation, or rather, Ally’s version of the situation.

  “We’re actually waiting for a cab. Ally has to get up early tomorrow.”

  She shot her friend a you-owe-me-a-favor look then turned back to Theo. The way his lips uncurled from the smile they held said he was as disappointed as Jonah. And she couldn’t live with that.

  “Maybe we can get together whenever you guys come back to town.”

  She clamped her mouth shut when she realized what she’d said. All the effort Ally put into discouraging Jonah’s advances vanished with the comment. Maybe that’s why she was glaring. Cassie did her best to ignore her, but Ally would undoubtedly bring up the subject later, on the ride home.

  Theo didn’t seem to notice the hostility. He continued staring in her direction as he replied, “Oh, I’ll be here a couple weeks.”

  His smile was contagious. It caused her cheeks to tighten in the same manner. She didn’t fight it—couldn’t fight it. He’d always had a way of making her laugh.

  When his smile finally receded, he stepped close enough that she smelled the crisp, cool scent of his skin. “Jonah’s leaving the week after next, but he’ll be back. Should we call you to set something up before he leaves?”

  Now was the time to backtrack what she’d said earlier so Ally wouldn’t murder her after they left. She had to appear uninterested…because she wasn’t interested…was she?”

  She pushed back the confusion filling her mind and responded with the best answer she could. “Why don’t you give me your number? I’ll check back with you.”

  “I hope so,” he answered, yet doubt blazed in his eyes as he waited for her to dig her cell out of her back pocket.

  Once she had her phone in her hand, she glanced up, expecting to catch him gawking at her. Instead, he observed his brother and Ally as they spoke in softer voices. Whatever they were saying, she didn’t bother listening, not when she couldn’t stop staring at Theo.

  After a few seconds, he faced her. A soft chuckle passed over his lips, and then he tilted his head toward Jonah and Ally. “Some things never change.”

  Cassie nodded. She studied her friend, as well as his brother, and then turned back to him. His gaze held her in place, just like it did when he first joined them.

  “You’re right. Some things don’t.” She admired the development of his body. “Then again, some things do.”

  His eyes lit up and half a smile crooked his lips. Holy hell, he was gorgeous.

  Tempering the attraction that seemed to be forming, she focused on her phone and asked for his number. Each digit he rattled off appeared on her screen until a full phone number displayed.

  Once it recorded under his name, she tucked her phone back into her pocket and stole a quick peek at his left hand. There was no sign of a ring, not even an indention where one might have been. That meant there was a good chance he was single. Unless he had a girlfriend…

  Does it really matter? It’s Theo McCabe. He isn’t even my type…

  The back door to Midnight Blues swung open again. Both she and Theo turned to see who had come outside when she noticed Mike. He scanned each face aimed in his direction but kept looking between her and Theo.

  Finally settling on her, he leaned against the door and said, “Your cab’s here.”

  “Thanks, Mike.”

  She winked at him, just like she normally did, but she couldn’t deny that the jealous vibes she sensed earlier had returned. First Jonah, now Theo… What was his problem tonight?

  Turning toward Ally, she tugged on her sleeve and motioned toward the door. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  Before Ally joined her, Jonah cut off her path. He spoke in a soft voice, making it difficult to hear what he was saying. Cassie didn’t want to know anyway. She wanted to tell Theo goodbye, but Mike hadn’t left the doorway.

  Damn him.

  Fed up with his hot and cold attitude, she parted her lips to ask what his problem was this time, but Theo moved between them. “You really gonna make use of that number?”

  Cassie nodded. “Sure will, handsome.”

  She didn’t miss the way Mike’s eyes narrowed before he walked away. Good. That meant he heard her call Theo handsome. If he was going to think the worst of her, she
might as well have fun doing it.

  Theo could help her achieve that goal. He’d show her a good time—one hell of a good time—in any and every position she wanted.

  Chapter Seven

  Cassie pressed her back against the wicker chair on Ally’s porch and finished off the last of her cocktail. Rum burned its way down her throat as she set her empty glass on the table positioned between her and her friend. The wind seemed to whisper between the oak trees lining the street in front of Ally’s house, but the comforting sound didn’t ease the tension knotting Cassie’s neck.

  What a night it had been… No, it was more like, what a day. From the ass chewing she received at the studio to all the crazy shit that unfolded at Midnight Blues, it had been more than a day from hell. It was an all-inclusive trip into a shit storm of love, lies, and lunatics. Not even the devil would subject his tormented soul to such chaos.

  The fun didn’t stop when they left the club. From the twenty-minute cab ride they’d spent in silence, to the moment Ally walked inside and started pouring drinks, Cassie knew her friend was pissed. But it wasn’t until they downed their first drink that Ally’s tongue loosened.

  Boy, did it loosen…

  It came as no surprise that Ally was upset over her suggestion to Theo. The one about them getting together when he and Jonah got back in town. They’d spent the last three hours discussing it, as well as debating over her friend’s feelings for Jonah.

  At least they had been, until five minutes ago when Ally dropped the conversation that had her squirming in her seat. She was drunk. There was no question in Cassie’s mind. Her friend hadn’t held back on the liquor she used for the five cocktails she’d made them.

  Shifting her gaze to the center of the table, Cassie focused on the citronella candle, the same one Ally lit when they brought their drinks outside and sat in the chairs. She came into view, but the canopy of oak branches and Spanish moss held her friend’s attention.

  If it weren’t for the way she was jiggling her foot, Cassie would swear Ally had fallen asleep. She wished she could judge her friend’s mental state. The last thing she wanted was for Ally’s first weekend back to end with a fight that kept them from talking.