Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  “Likewise.” She didn’t say anything else as they shook hands. Nora’s comment came to mind and she fought not to burst into laughter, but only because Nora was right. Josh was hot.

  “I should probably introduce you to a couple of the guys from Southern Scandal,” he said as he turned toward the chair.

  Cassie repeated the band’s name in her mind. It sounded familiar, but not because he’d already told her. She’d heard it over the weekend. Was it one of the—?

  The thought had little time to form once all the pieces came together. Realization jolted her as one of the band members stood. She stared in disbelief at the bright blue eyes aimed in her direction.

  “No need for an introduction, Josh. I know Miss Clarke,” Theo said as he gazed down her body. “I know her well.”

  Her mouth gaped. She stammered for an answer, but another familiar face came into view. Jesse Woods.

  “Damn woman, you get more gorgeous every time I see you.” He caught glares from both Josh and Theo then raised his hands defensively. “It’s cool, Josh. We went to school with Cassie. In fact, she and Theo used to get into trouble together. You better watch these two.”

  Josh shook his head when Jesse roared with laughter. It wasn’t until Theo punched his friend in the arm that their manager grimaced. “So, I guess there’s no need to warn you about their bad behavior.”

  Both Theo and Jess frowned at him, but Cassie snickered. “No need at all. I’m well versed on these two.”

  She exchanged glances with her old classmates, but Theo gained her undivided attention, at least until Josh handed her a file. “These are the papers you faxed to my office. If you point us in the right direction, we’ll grab what we need and begin our first session.”

  “Sure thing. I have you scheduled for Studio C. Just take a right and follow the corridor to the end. It’s the last door on the left. I’ll be in to check on you soon.”

  “Thank you.” Josh smiled then motioned to Theo and Jesse. “Theo, call Allen and Jeff and get their ETA. Jesse, you come with me.”

  Cassie walked to her desk and laid the file across it. She took another sip from her cup then set it down and turned around. She didn’t make it far before she collided with Theo.

  “Oops,” he chuckled and grabbed her arms before she lost her balance. “Sorry. I thought you were going to sit in your chair.”

  “It’s okay.” She gazed at his chest and swallowed hard. “I uh…”

  His head dipped towards hers. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, but he didn’t. What a disappointment.

  “Surprised to see me?”

  She nodded. “How come you didn’t mention you’d be here today when I told you I work here?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.” His eyes lowered to her lips then back. “I think I succeeded.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “Then I guess we’re even. God knows you shocked the hell out of me before you left the club the other night.”

  Fire flooded Cassie’s body. Did he really just bring up the kiss? She didn’t understand why she’d kissed him, even spent the rest of the weekend trying to make sense of it. If this was his attempt to get a logical explanation, he was shit out of luck.

  The only thing that could explain her behavior was anything but logical. The comb. The legend. There was no way she would tell him about either. How could she when she didn’t believe it herself?

  Theo McCabe could not be her true half. It wasn’t like that between them, nor was it ever. She had to get her shit together and focus on the objective…Jonah and Ally. The thoughts of Theo had to stop. There was only one sure way to do that. Fire back with her own taunts.

  “I’m sorry I shocked you so much. It was just a friendly kiss. What’s the matter, Theo? Have you forgotten what it’s like to have a girl as a friend?”

  He pursed his lips like he would call her out on the truth, but he didn’t. “We’re more than friends, sugar. We’re partners in crime, or at least we will be if this plan for Jonah and Ally backfires.” He surveyed her office with a smug look. “Since we’ll be working together, we’ll have plenty of time to hash out the details and make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  God, he was so full of himself. It was time for a reality check. “I’m sure a couple of opportunities might pop up, but you’re here to make an album, and you’re not my only client, Mr. McCabe.”

  “I know.” His attention shifted back to her. “But I want to be.”

  He leaned in closer. She raised her hand toward his chest to prevent him from overtaking her space. Instead, it landed at the peak of his abs. She felt the well-defined muscles beneath his shirt as images played through her mind.

  Those same images gave her one hell of an orgasm a few days prior when she and Mike were together. Thinking of Theo made her come hard, but what would reality be like? Would he live up to the fantasy?

  None of it mattered anyway. Theo eased away and placed enough space between them that the heat of his body disappeared from her hand. “Guess I should let you get to work. I need to text Allen, then find Josh and Jesse.”

  “Okay.” A wave of relief filled her, yet something inside was screaming for her to keep him there—the part of her consumed by curiosity.

  Yeah right. Like curiosity was the only thing consuming her. Regardless of whether he lived up to her fantasy, Theo was in her head. He’d used his crooked smile, witty responses, and southern charm to get under her skin. All that was left was for him to finish the job and devour her body.

  Instead, he left her hanging as he strode toward the door. He was a step away from exiting her office when he gripped the doorframe and peered back. “If you’re not too busy with your other clients, maybe we can get together tomorrow and grab a coffee. I’d like to work out some details for this weekend.”

  “I’ll be in the office until noon. I may have an hour free after I leave. My boss returns tomorrow and I have to pick him up from the airport. Think you’ll be free around twelve-thirty?”

  “I’ll make sure of it.” He said nothing else. His lips spread wider then he made his way into the hall and disappeared.

  Cassie released her breath. She stood beside her desk, gripping the edge as she stared in disbelief. This couldn’t be happening. She could not spend the next few weeks working with Theo and his band. Work was supposed to provide a distraction from him, not get her more involved.

  She was more than involved. She was knee deep in a conspiracy to bring Jonah and Ally together.

  After all these years, Theo was still able to talk her into doing things she knew she shouldn’t. Yet if they had any more conversations like the one that just ended, she worried he’d do more than talk her into something. He’d talk her out of something.

  Her common sense. Her resolve. Her panties.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The low hum of voices filtered from all directions as Theo stood near the coffee shop counter waiting for his order. He peeked at the clock again but only a minute had passed since the last time he checked. Cassie was running behind, thanks to him.

  The music wasn’t flowing today or maybe he wasn’t feeling it. It didn’t really matter which. What mattered was the fact that he wasted the session struggling to sing. It was bad enough that Josh had to schedule a few other sessions with Cassie.

  In the end, it would give him more time with her, but it did nothing to help his career. As much as he wanted her, he would leave Savannah at some point. He couldn’t allow his pursuit of her to get in the way of his music. His shot at fame lingered within his reach. Now wasn’t the time to let it slip away.

  Damn, she made things hard.

  So what if they slept together. It’s not like they’d make a real relationship out of it. They’d be submitting to their primal instinct, nothing more. She’d go back to her life in Savannah and he’d leave to fulfill his dreams.

  “Are you going to take it or stare at it?” Jonah’s gruff voice jarred him from his tho
ughts. He opened his mouth to shout a few obscenities until he noticed the barista holding his to-go cup.

  As awkward as he felt, he wouldn’t let his brother embarrass him. Theo could dish twice as much sarcasm without blinking. Whatever had Jonah’s tighty whities in a wad wasn’t going to ruin his day.

  “Who said I was looking at the cup?” He winked at the young woman behind the counter and retrieved his drink. Her cheeks turned a rosy shade before she focused on her next customer. Theo couldn’t help but chuckle, especially when Jonah rolled his eyes.

  They made their way to a nearby table and sat opposite of each other. Getting Jonah to sit anywhere for more than five minutes would be a challenge, but one Theo was willing to accept. He had to talk to Jonah before the weekend began. If the rest of the week were anything like today, this may be his only chance.

  “So, have you heard from Ally since Friday?”

  “No,” Jonah kept busy with his phone, not bothering to spare him one glance. “I gave her my card, but she hasn’t used it.”

  “Then you’re not opposed to seeing her?”

  Jonah shot him a set of folded brows. “Of course not, but you saw how she reacted to seeing me. She hates me.”

  Theo saw through his brother’s bullshit. Jonah was insecure. Insecurities made people vulnerable, and no man wanted to feel vulnerable. Jonah hid that side of him well, but then, so had Theo.

  The Master Sergeant wouldn’t allow his boys to be soft. He raised men, not girls. They had to suck it up and keep going, balls to the wall. No wonder his father disliked him. He never went out for sports or showed off his masculinity. He wrote and created music. Emotions weighed in his words as well as his lyrics. It made him weak as far his father was concerned.

  Brushing off the thoughts, he concentrated on Jonah. “Ally doesn’t hate you. She’s angry. She thinks you didn’t want her. Maybe it’s time to tell her the truth.”

  Jonah placed his phone on the table. “If she wanted to talk, she’d call.”

  “Maybe she will.”

  “Great…” Jonah squinted. “What are you up to, Theo?”

  “Hang on a second.”

  “No, you hang on.” Jonah barely barked the demand when his phone rang. He gazed at the table then back toward Theo. “Excuse me.”

  He wasted no time grabbing his phone or placing it to his ear. “Jonah McCabe… Yes, you have the right person… That’s correct… Correct again… Wait, what did you just say…? They delivered it where…? Christ…”

  The urgency in his voice got the best of Theo. He hoped whatever his brother was discussing didn’t involve him or the guys. He needed these next few weeks in Savannah and he would be damned if anyone took that away from him.

  It would be like high school all over. When he’d finally worked up the nerve to ask Cassie on a date, Parker Pearson interfered. The fight that ensued stole Theo’s chance. Nothing would stand in his way this time.

  Nothing…

  Jonah’s voice weaved into Theo’s thoughts. His brother’s white lips and set jaw were clue of his annoyance. His final response into the phone was proof. “I’m in downtown Savannah. I can be there before closing. If that’s not soon enough, I’ll reimburse you for a courier. Good day.”

  He slammed his phone onto the table then stood. “I gotta go. Some idiot manager shipped masters to me but put the wrong address on the package. They’re in Atlanta. If those recordings leak…”

  “So you’re leaving?”

  “Yes. Wouldn’t you want me to do the same if it were Southern Scandal’s masters?”

  Theo clenched his jaw. He hated when Jonah made a good point. “Yeah, I guess I would… Maybe one of these days we’ll sit down and chat before we leave Savannah.”

  As Jonah scooted his chair back, he tucked his phone into his pocket then placed his hand on Theo’s shoulder. “Trust me, brother, I’m plenty curious as to what you have to say, especially if it has something to do with Ally. If you have a better day at the studio tomorrow, call me and I’ll swing in. We can chat there or grab a beer.”

  “No worries, Jonah.” Theo tapped his fingers against his cup. “I’m used to coming in last on your priority list. Just go.”

  “I’m doing what I can to help. Can’t you give me a little credit?”

  “This isn’t about that, but whatever. You better get going.”

  Slumping his shoulders, Jonah nodded and looked away. “Yeah. I guess so.”

  His footsteps faded behind Theo as guilt washed over him. He shouldn’t have been so callous toward his brother. None of this would be happening without Jonah, or at least not this quick. They wouldn’t be in Savannah. He wouldn’t be recording his first album, and he sure as hell wouldn’t be spending time with Cassie.

  He should be kissing Jonah’s ass. Instead, he wanted to pay him back a different way. Ally would be a nice reward for all his brother’s effort.

  Until then, Theo would be a good boy and do what was expected. That meant making an album, and once he did, Jonah could take it to his connection at the record label. It was up to Theo and the guys to give Jonah the best album to present.

  “Uh oh. I know that look.”

  The sound of Cassie’s voice startled Theo. She moved around the table and took the same seat Jonah previously occupied. She sipped from a to-go cup that was similar to the one in his hands. Guess he’d been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn’t seen her enter the coffee shop.

  Damn, his day just got better.

  “And what look would that be, sugar?”

  Cassie didn’t miss a beat as she shot back, “The same one you always had when you were in trouble. Have you been a bad boy, Theo McCabe?”

  Not yet, but when the final act of his seduction came into play, he’d be the biggest bad boy she’d ever seen.

  And she’d love every second.

  “Believe me, doll. If I was being bad, you’d be the first to know,” he winked. “Actually, Jonah and I had a disagreement.”

  “Is he here?” She stretched her neck and surveyed the room as if she would spot him elsewhere.

  “No, you just missed him. I’m surprised you didn’t bump into him on his way out.”

  “Nope. Didn’t see him.” Her eyes returned to his. “Did you talk to him about going out this weekend?”

  He knew she would ask if he’d spoken with Jonah. Hell, it was the purpose for meeting with her today. Too bad he didn’t have a definite answer to give her.

  “We talked briefly.”

  It wasn’t a complete lie. They did discuss Ally and whether Jonah wanted to see her again. It wasn’t his fault his brother got a phone call that dragged him away before the weekend was mentioned.

  Cassie pulled her phone out of her purse and stared at the screen. “I’ve been texting Ally. I think she’s almost on board for the meet up.”

  “That’s awesome. I figured she’d be more closed to the idea.”

  “She sorta was. I had to tell a bit of a lie to convince her to hear me out.”

  “This should be interesting.” He couldn’t resist teasing her. When she frowned, he chuckled and took a swig of his coffee. “What did you tell her?”

  “Well…” Her attention shifted past him as the corner of her mouth lifted. “I told Ally that I was interested in you and needed an excuse to hang out.”

  Theo didn’t respond. He couldn’t. All he did was grin. He’d like nothing more than her interest in him. It was his ultimate goal.

  “Is there more?”

  Cassie shifted in her seat and placed her phone on the table. “I suggested that Ally and I meet up with you and Jonah this weekend. If she came, you would think it was because she wanted to see Jonah, not because I wanted to see you.” She peered up then raised her head higher. “I promised that if she did this favor for me, I’d work up the nerve to ask you out.”

  Damn… It’s like she was reading his mind. If she only knew she hadn’t lied at all. She’d simply figured him out.

 
Still, it puzzled him how she could make the connection. They’d flirted over the weekend, but she was the one that kissed him. Maybe that kiss wasn’t as friendly as she made it out to be. It couldn’t be. Not with the way she flirted. She was bold, sassy, and drove him a hell of a lot crazier than when they were teens.

  “So,” he began after clearing his throat. “Which part was the lie?”

  Cassie leaned on her elbows and moved her head closer. He did the same, but fisted his hands and forced himself not to go in for a kiss. Depending on her answer, he might do it anyway.

  She smirked at his response then teased his lips with her finger. “You’re a big boy, Theo. You’ll figure it out.” She winked and then stood slowly. “Excuse me. I’m going to the ladies’ room. Be right back.”

  Theo nodded. He squeezed the paper cup in his hands as he watched her walk toward the back of the building. He loved the way her hips swayed, but then, there wasn’t a part of her he didn’t admire.

  When she disappeared from his sight, he growled under his breath. The sides of the cup caved and the lid popped off. Luckily, there wasn’t much coffee left inside to spill. Perhaps enough for a drink, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t need more caffeine. He needed Cassie.

  Leaning his back against the seat, he rubbed his face and sighed. God. He was so fucked. He was supposed to be seducing her, not the other way around. She did enough of that when they were younger.

  He didn’t mind her being drawn to his mischievous ways, but this wasn’t about proving he could please her. This was about showing her what she would miss when he was gone. It was about instilling an ache inside of her, an ache that would leave her wanting him the way he wanted her.

  A dozen different scenarios played through his mind on how he would seduce her. He let each one unfold, and the more they did, the more he fought off an erection. His body was responding the way it normally did whenever she came to mind. Too bad hers didn’t do the same when she thought of him. He could just imagine her lying on her bed, pleasing herself while she fantasized about taking him deep…