“I’ll call again in a few days. Don’t be a fucking idiot, Justin. Do you want to be a has-been?”
The call was disconnected and Justin was left shaking his head in disbelief.
“A has-been, huh? I can only hope. That’s why we moved to a small town. They don’t give a flying rat’s ass if I was a rock star or president of the United States. She’s in a bitchy mood today. Never heard her speak like that, have you?”
Linc tapped the phone on the kitchen table. “Bobbi’s always been intense, but she’s also always been a consummate professional. She always talked about how people can be nasty about women in business, calling them bitches and such. She was careful to project a certain image.”
“Let’s face it. In the music business, image is everything.”
Justin should know. His image as the squeaky-clean, all-American golden boy of rock was legendary. It had propelled him to the top of the heap of singers and songwriters who probably had more talent but didn’t have Linc to manage their careers.
Linc tossed the phone on to the counter. “Well, I hope Bobbi finds another band. It sounds like an ambitious idea. Woodstock every week during the summer?” He laughed. “She’ll need an army to pull it off. The logistics will be a nightmare. Not to mention she’ll need some generous sponsors to front the money. It’ll be expensive as hell.”
Justin shrugged. “I wish her the best of luck. She’s a good promoter.” He looked at his watch and jumped up from the table. “Leah’s going to be here in about an hour. You need to get in the shower. I need to keep working on dinner. Remember what I said. Don’t be an asshole and scare her off.”
Linc started for the stairs. “I’ll be nice, but I’m not romancing her. You are.”
Justin watched Linc head up the stairs. Linc was hiding something from him, and he was damn sure going to find out what it was. Something was keeping Linc from being with Leah. He knew Linc as well as he knew himself. Linc was attracted to Leah, as much or more than he was. Tonight, Justin was going to make sure Leah understood she’d have to want both of them.
No matter what Linc said, Justin knew he wanted her.
* * * *
“I’ll be right there!”
Leah was putting the finishing touches on her lip gloss when she heard the peal of the doorbell. She gave herself one last look in the mirror. Becca had done an amazing job on her hair. The change was subtle but made styling her thick, heavy hair a breeze. She was also wearing an outfit borrowed from Cassie’s seemingly massive wardrobe. The skinny jeans seemed to make her legs look longer and the pink cashmere wraparound sweater made her waist look tiny. The outfit was topped off with high-heeled, chocolate-brown suede boots from Ava. Ava was about the same height as Leah and wore high heels quite a bit. Leah had never seen the point but had to admit she liked the confidence they gave her.
The doorbell rang again, the person pushing the button over and over again for fun now. She heaved a sigh of exasperation. It was probably someone coming to save her soul or get her to vote for their candidate.
“Coming!”
She pulled open the door and stared straight into a broad, muscled chest in uniform. She had to look up to see his face. She smiled with delight.
“Jason, I didn’t know you were going to stop by. Aren’t you on duty tonight?”
Her cousin, Jason Carrington, was a deputy on the Plenty police force. They were as close as brother and sister, at home with each other, having grown up together. Jason was funny and easy to be around, making her laugh and enjoying her chocolate-chip cookies.
“I am. I’m on a quick break though.”
Leah stepped back and checked her watch. She needed to talk to Jason but didn’t want to be late for dinner with Justin and Linc.
“You checked your watch. Are you heading somewhere?”
She put her hands on her hips in disgust. Men were so dense sometimes.
“Look at me, Jase. Do I look like I’m ready for an evening in front of the television? I have plans, if you must know.”
No use trying to keep anything a secret from her cousin. He seemed to know everyone’s secrets, and most especially hers. He could read expressions in a heartbeat.
Jason pursed his lips, looking her up and down. “As a matter of fact, you do seem a little dressed up. Who’s the lucky guy?”
Leah smoothed the sweater over her hips. “None of your business.”
He was going to find out, but she didn’t need to make it easy for him. Teasing Jason was something she enjoyed.
He headed straight back to the kitchen with a snort. “I’m not falling for it, cuz. You want to yank my chain. No way. You’ll tell me eventually. You always do. Now where are you hiding the cookies? I’m starved.”
He found the cookie jar on top of the fridge and grinned. “Eureka. Cookies.” His smile fell as quickly as it had come. “Oatmeal? Damn, I was hoping for chocolate chip.”
“I can’t make chocolate chip every time. I was in the mood for oatmeal this week.”
He grabbed five cookies. “I’ll only take a few then. So what did you need to talk to me about? I got your message but wasn’t able to get here until now. I was fishing out at the lake today and turned off my cell.”
“That’s a few, huh? Good thing I made six dozen.” Her voice softened. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get you a glass of iced tea. We need to talk.”
She poured Jason a glass as he settled himself at the table. This was going to be a tough discussion. She looked at her watch again. Luckily, she took so little time getting ready she shouldn’t be late for dinner.
She sat across from Jason and grabbed his hand. “Gabe called me. He’s coming home.”
She let Jason absorb her words. He was quiet for a long time before speaking.
“Is he okay?”
His voice was even, but she could hear the emotion underneath. Despite being cousins, Gabe and Jason were as close as brothers. They’d intended to share a woman at one point in their lives. Iraq had changed everything. Jason came back with minor physical and mental scars. Gabe was a different story. She loved her brother, but she couldn’t understand what had kept him away from the people who cared about him this long.
“He’s okay. He had an accident on his motorcycle. Nothing serious, but he hurt his leg. He’s coming home, Jason.”
Jason sat back, his expression neutral. “Just passing through or for good?”
She blinked rapidly, trying not to shed tears. She hadn’t seen Gabe for over two years. “I was afraid to ask, honestly. He asked if he could stay with me and I said yes, of course. We’ll have to make everything so wonderful for him he won’t ever want to leave again.”
She could see the hurt in Jason’s eyes. Gabe hadn’t called him or asked to stay with him. Five years ago it would have been unthinkable. They’d been practically inseparable. Leah had been the outsider, always jealous of the special bond they shared. Now she would have to be the mediator between the two.
Jason took a gulp of the tea. “I’m sure you will, cuz. Sounds like my presence won’t be needed, though.”
She squeezed Jason’s hand, begging him to understand. “Gabe’s going to need us both. I know he’s different now, but we can’t give up hope.”
The corner of Jason’s mouth tipped up. “Hope? I’ve always had hope. There hasn’t been a fucking day that’s gone by since I got back from the Middle East that I haven’t thought about Gabe. I feel incomplete when he’s not here. But he’s changed, Leah. Those few months he was home, he was a different man. An angry man, out of control.”
Leah nodded. She couldn’t deny how bitter and mean Gabe had become. It was awful to say, but she and Jason had been a little relieved when he’d left town. They simply hadn’t known how to help him. They also never thought he’d stay away so long.
“I know you miss Samantha, too,” Leah whispered, watching Jason’s expression become tortured.
“Samantha did what she had to do. In her place, I don’t k
now that I’d have done anything different.” Jason stood up and placed his glass in the sink. “When will he be here?”
“In a few days. I’ll have him call you as soon as he’s here.”
Jason rubbed his chin with is hand. “You do that. Pardon me if I don’t wait by the phone. Gabe hasn’t called me in all this time, so I’m guessing we don’t have much left to say. I’m glad he’s kept in touch with you, though.”
Leah wasn’t sure she’d call a phone call or an e-mail every few months “keeping in touch,” but it was more than Jason had ever received.
“Don’t you have something to say to him? You deserve the chance to be heard, too.”
Jason pulled her in for a hug. “You’re a good girl, Leah Holt. Whoever is getting to take you out tonight is a lucky man. Chances are, you’re too good for him.”
“I’m having dinner with Justin Reynolds and Linc Davis.”
She closed her eyes, waiting for the explosion. When it didn’t come, she opened one eye a little to peek up at her cousin. He was shaking his head.
“Not good enough for you, cuz. I know he’s a former rock star and has women throwing themselves at him, but those guys? Guys from the big city? Why can’t you date a couple of nice guys from Plenty?”
She rolled her eyes. “Because none of those guys ask me out. Justin and Linc did. They’re making me dinner tonight.”
Jason cleared his throat. “Well, be careful. They seem nice enough, but those city boys move at a faster pace.” He dug into his wallet and pulled out a strip of condoms. “You better take these. Just in case.”
She pressed her hands to her face in sheer mortification. “Dear God, Jason, put those away. It’s only dinner. And if you’re carrying those, what pace do you move at?”
Jason chuckled at her predicament. “Whatever pace pleases the lady I’m with. Take them.” He pressed them in her hand. “There’s nothing shameful about sex or having sex. It’s pretty great, if you ask me.”
“I’ve had sex before.”
“Then you know that sexual attraction is a strong, powerful thing and you shouldn’t be caught unprepared. Do you have any questions about ménage sex?”
She wanted the kitchen floor to open up and swallow her. “Where is the Angel of Death when I need him?” She pointed to the door. “Get out. Take your cookies and go before you say something that’s going to make it really uncomfortable to have Thanksgiving dinner with you.”
Jason grabbed three more cookies and headed for the door. Despite her own discomfort, she was glad she’d told him about Justin and Linc. It had pulled him out of his funk regarding Gabe’s return.
“Have fun tonight. How about dinner at Charlie’s tomorrow night? I’m off duty.”
Leah nodded and Jason headed to his SUV. Condoms notwithstanding, her news had gone better than expected. She glanced at her watch and panicked. She had barely enough time to get to Justin and Linc’s home. She shoved the condoms in her purse, grabbed the dessert she’d made, and ran out the door. She wasn’t going to be late for her date with her dream men. Even if Linc didn’t want her, it wouldn’t stop her from having a wonderful time with Justin.
She’d be nice and polite to Linc, but nothing else. She had more pride than to throw herself at a man who didn’t want her. Even if that man was Linc Davis.
Chapter Three
The house was huge and sprawling. She could probably fit four or five of her condos inside this one house. Her own home was done in the typical Spanish style so popular in Florida, practically interchangeable with every other home. Instead, Justin and Linc had created a more traditional-looking home with a large front porch, with a log and stone facade. Off to the right was another large building with several garage doors. She remembered Justin mentioning he and Linc liked to collect motorcycles. The large lot was lush and green, even now with the dry season, with towering oak and pine trees. It all added up to a homey, inviting atmosphere.
She juggled her purse and the dessert, reaching for the doorbell, and almost dropped everything when the door opened before she had a chance.
“Hey, Leah. Let me help you with that.”
Justin took the dessert pan from her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to lead her in. He must have been watching for her to arrive. The thought that he had been anxious for arrival made her smile.
Justin peered into the pan and grinned. “Wow, is that tiramisu? I love tiramisu and it’s Linc’s absolute favorite of all time.”
She pushed away the feeling of happiness that she had made Linc’s favorite anything. She wasn’t here for Linc, she was here for Justin.
“It is tiramisu. You mentioned something about Italian so I took a chance and made an Italian dessert.”
Justin grinned and led her through the house. She couldn’t help gaping in amazement at their home. The ceilings were soaring with exposed beams, the knotty pine floors polished like mirrors. There were large windows everywhere and a huge stone fireplace in the living room. The kitchen was no less impressive with gleaming stainless steel appliances, copper backsplash, and what looked like a wood-fired oven at one end.
She knew she was gawking but she couldn’t help it. She’d never seen luxury like this, but the home was clearly set up for comfort.
“Wow, this house is gorgeous. Just beautiful.”
Justin grinned. “I’m glad you like it. Linc and I designed it ourselves.”
She walked slowly through the kitchen, taking in the all the little touches which made it special.
“I feel like I’ve been transported out of Florida and to the great Northwest.”
Justin looked pleased. “That’s what we were going for. Linc and I are from the Seattle area.”
“I didn’t know that, but it shows. How did you end up in Florida?”
Justin slid the dessert pan into the oversized refrigerator. “How about a glass of wine?”
She nodded and he continued. “Linc and I wanted to move to a ménage town. We did our research and we couldn’t find one in the Northwest. There were a few in Texas, one in Colorado, and a couple in the Wyoming and Montana area. We checked them out and they were nice and friendly. We could have lived there easily. When we came to visit Plenty it was different.” He poured out a measure of wine and handed her the glass. “It was like the town spoke to us, welcoming us in. Everybody was so nice, the town was charming. We knew it would be a great place to settle down. And no cold winters was a bonus.”
Leah sipped the fruity wine, letting it linger on her tongue. It was delicious. “But hot, sticky, humid summers. I’m sure you’re not used to that kind of weather.”
He lifted the lid on a large pot and stirred, sending the aroma of tomato sauce wafting through the air. Her stomach growled and she pressed a hand to her stomach with a nervous giggle.
Justin laughed. “I promise to feed you very soon. I’m glad you brought an appetite. If there’s one thing I hate to see, it’s a woman picking at her food. And no, we weren’t used to the hot summers, but it wasn’t so bad. We learned to try and stay indoors during midday or at least be in the pool.”
Leah stepped closer to the windows. “You have a pool? The condo association I live in has a pool, but I have to share it with everyone else.”
Justin pulled a cast iron skillet from the oven and replaced it with a sheet of bread with thick butter spread on top. Everything smelled wonderful. If it tasted as good as it smelled, Justin would be the perfect male.
“We do. It’s off the family room. We have a whirlpool, too. We can take a soak after dinner if you like.”
She felt her face get hot at the thought of seeing Justin and Linc in nothing but a swimsuit. “I didn’t bring a suit.”
Justin chuckled. “Do you need one? We won’t look.”
“We won’t look at what?” Linc strolled in looking devastatingly handsome in blue jeans and a white button-down shirt. He had a rakish air with his dark hair, dark eyes, and goatee.
Justin started pouring Linc a
glass of wine. “Leah. I was telling her we had a whirlpool and she said she didn’t bring a suit. I was saying we wouldn’t look.”
Linc arched an eyebrow. “You’re a real boy scout. Don’t believe a word he says, Leah. He would definitely look.”
Would you?
She bit her lip so she wouldn’t ask the question that was hanging in the air. Of course Linc wouldn’t look. She wasn’t his type.
Justin came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. A zing of electricity ran through her body and she breathed in his masculine scent that was mixing with the spicy smell of dinner.
“This woman is hungry. Why don’t you take her out to the family room and sit down? We’re going to eat at the table in there. I’ll bring the food.”
She could swear she saw Linc’s jaw tighten. “Don’t you need help?”
Justin shook his head. “Nope. I’ll be right out with the salad. You two get comfortable.”
She had no choice but to follow Linc through the kitchen and into the family room. She wasn’t sure what family it was meant for, but it was clear men lived in the house. Overstuffed leather furniture faced the largest television she had ever seen. On the far wall a large stone fireplace dominated the room. The other end of the room had several vintage pinball and video game machines, including an air hockey table.
The dining table was set up in front of the crackling fire, complete with candles and a dark-red tablecloth. It was a scene set for romance. She felt her stomach flutter and her palms start to sweat. Everything had been casual and friendly until this moment.
This moment with a man who wasn’t interested in her. Justin’s interest made her nervous. Linc’s indifference made her uncomfortable. She needed to shove those emotions aside and try to relax and enjoy the evening. Whatever was meant to happen would happen. Normally, Leah wasn’t one to leave things to fate, but giving the universe the power to control her love life sounded good tonight.
Plenty to Believe [Plenty, FL 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3