by Tara Rose
They were going to dinner with Mateo at The Cranberry Roost, the most upscale restaurant in Passion Peak. The last time Carma had been there was for Aunt Pet’s seventieth birthday party three years earlier. She remembered it as vibrant and posh, and hoped she wouldn’t drop her salad fork or spill wine in her lap. “Neither can I, Blaine. Let me walk you to the desk.”
As much as she loved the attention he was showing her right now, she didn’t let the moment linger. This was a small town, and local gossip got out of hand very quickly. Then again, she’d be seen tonight with both men. Would she be able to explain it away casually if someone asked?
Should she even have to? If she wanted to date two men at once, shouldn’t she have the right to do that? How had this happened to her, of all people? What would her co-workers and clients say if they could have seen her in Mateo’s bedroom last night?
Carma had to bite back a giggle as the images rose up. Blaine paid for his cut and made another appointment, and just before he left, Carma reached for his hand to shake it. He surprised the hell out of her by kissing her on the cheek instead. “I’ll pick you up at five.”
She muttered something, but if anyone had asked her what she’d said, she wouldn’t have been able to tell them. Carma admired the way his ass looked in his jeans as he walked out the door, and then she glanced at Darlene, who looked like she was going to jump out of her skin. It was obvious she wanted to comment.
“You saw us at Nash’s house, didn’t you?” Carma couldn’t see the point in pretending, and no one else was near the desk right now to overhear.
“Yes, but that’s not why I’m wondering why you’re with him. His picture was on the news last night. Ron asked me if I knew him because we both saw you come downstairs last night with him and Mateo, but you weren’t at Nash’s house very long. Are you all right, Carma?”
Carma walked around the desk so that if someone did come in, or came into the lobby from the salon, it would be more difficult for them to hear her conversation with Darlene. “I’m fine, Darlene. Last night at Mateo’s house, Blaine told us all about the incident in Chicago.” Carma glanced over her shoulder. “He told us that he didn’t know Larissa was selling drugs until she was arrested.”
Darlene nodded. “I hope that’s true. Ron was pretty upset, and he and Nash spent a lot of time on the phone late last night. But my main concern is for you.”
“I’m fine.”
“Was that your first time there?”
“Yes.” Carma didn’t want to have this conversation. If she let doubt creep in now, she’d never feel comfortable going out to dinner with them later.
“Carma, it’s none of my business, but I hope you know you can talk to me if you need to.”
Carma sighed. She was being an ass. Darlene only meant well, just as Annalise had last night. “I know, Darlene. Thank you.”
Brittani Featherstone walked in, and Carma came out from behind the desk to greet her next client.
* * * *
Carma had grown uncharacteristically quiet by the time Blaine picked her up after work. She’d tried to ignore the furtive glances from her coworkers and Darlene’s worried frown for the remainder of her shift, but as the hours wore on, that had proven pointless. The idea that anyone in this town had judged Blaine before knowing the entire truth bothered her. If Blaine noticed she wasn’t as talkative as usual, he didn’t say anything.
They pulled up to her apartment building. “Do you want me to wait while you change?”
“No, that’s all right. I can meet you both there.”
“Carma, it’s a date. I’m a gentleman, believe it or not. And I promised Mateo I’d make sure you had a ride there tonight. He’s been working in the pastures all day.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Blaine leaned over and kissed her. Carma’s clit began to throb within seconds. All thoughts of what Darlene had said, and any doubt she’d had about being seen in public with him and Mateo together flew right out of her mind as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. His tongue moved over hers with expert precision. Soft moans escaped her throat as he deepened the kiss.
When a noise sounded from outside, he released her mouth, but instead of looking around for the source, he merely stared into her eyes. “Would it be terrible if I said I wish we could just stay here for dinner? You and me?”
She shook her head. There were no words.
“You’d better get upstairs before I change my mind and call Mateo to tell him I can’t find you or something.”
Carma smiled. “He’d only come here looking for me.”
“Then we’d hide until he left.”
She couldn’t help but be flattered. “He’s your best friend.”
Blaine nodded slowly. “That he is. But you’re the most captivating woman I’ve ever met. That trumps best friends any day.”
“Blaine Peterson, you’re a big flirt.”
He kissed the back of her hand in a sweet old-fashioned gesture. “Yes, I am.” Without another word, he exited the car and sprinted around to the passenger side door to open it for her. He walked with her to the building entrance, and then told her he’d pick her up in forty-five minutes. Carma stood inside the entrance and watched him leave, and then just before she ran upstairs to change, she spotted a black Mustang in the parking lot that she’d never seen before.
As it cruised past the entrance to the building and out onto Douglas Fir Lane, the man behind the wheel glanced toward her, and a shiver ran up and down Carma’s spine. The look on his face was almost predatory. She didn’t recognize the car, which immediately made her suspicious. Even though most people in this town walked or rode bicycles, they did drive occasionally, and she knew by sight most of the residents and their cars. She’d never seen this car or the driver before, and made a mental note to ask Blaine and Mateo about it.
When she emerged forty minutes later, Blaine was already out in the parking lot. He got out of his car and opened the door for her, and Carma nearly tripped over the cracks in the pavement as she walked across the blacktop. She’d worn new sandals because they matched her summer dress, but they had a higher heel than she was used to.
Blaine was dressed in a fawn-colored sports coat and Dockers, and a royal blue shirt that brought out the color of his eyes. He was absolutely fucking gorgeous, and she wondered how she’d get through dinner without eating him instead of the food.
“Carma, you look amazing.” His gaze roamed over her from head to toe, and Carma was seized with an impulse to suggest they order take-out food and stay in her apartment. Maybe she could simply text Mateo, tell him they had a change of plans, and invite him over as well?
“Thanks, Blaine. So do you.”
The drive to The Cranberry Roost only took fifteen minutes, and the route Blaine took went past Nash’s house. Cars lined the driveway as they cruised past. “How many nights a week is his club open?”
“Three or four. I’m not entirely sure.” He gave her a quick sideways glance. “Why? Do you want to go back?”
“Someday. Don’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
“I mean I know I fainted and all that, but—”
“Carma, do you think Mateo and I are upset about that?”
She shook her head. She knew they weren’t upset, but neither had mentioned returning one day, so she was grateful he’d asked.
“I can totally understand why you reacted that way. But I do think we should ease you into this first before we try to return to the club.”
Obviously they both intended to keep seeing her, and their play and sex would be repeated. Carma squirmed in her seat as the possibilities played out in her mind.
Mateo was waiting inside for them, and Carma sighed at the sight of him in a dark brown sports coat, cranberry shirt and Dockers. This was like something out of a fairy tale. She was out with the two most gorgeous men in Passion Peak, at the nicest restaurant in town, and everyone would see them. What would a Disn
ey princess do? Carma bit back a laugh as they walked up to the hostess stand. A Disney princess would lose a shoe or get turned back into a mermaid by a sea witch. Carma had no intentions of doing either tonight.
Bev Cameron had been the hostess at The Cranberry Roost for as long as Carma could remember. She’d gone to school with Carma’s parents, and she and her husband John had been frequent guests in their home while Carma was growing up. If Bev found it unusual that Carma had just walked in with two men, it didn’t show on her face.
“How are you, Carmella?” Bev had always called her by her real name. “I was so sorry to hear of your uncle’s passing.”
Carma pushed away the memories threatening to rise. “Thank you, Mrs. Cameron. You know Mateo, of course, and this is Blaine Peterson. He just moved here from the Chicago area.”
Either Bev didn’t watch the news or she was once again hiding her surprise. She didn’t even flinch as Carma introduced her to Blaine. “Welcome to Passion Peak, Blaine. I have your table ready.”
Carma was surprised by how at ease she felt sitting in the middle of the crowded restaurant with both Mateo and Blaine. She allowed them to order wine and an appetizer to share while she glanced around. Passion Peak only had about ten thousand residents, but people sometimes came to this restaurant from other towns. Tonight, she recognized a great many locals, and more than a few of them aimed curious glances their way.
At the next table was Angela Davidson, a good friend from high school who now worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Patil at Passion Peak Dentistry. She was with her parents, and Carma returned their waves. She’d always been jealous of Angela’s long, straight blonde hair and startling blue eyes. Every time she cut and styled Angela’s hair, she remarked on it, and each time Angela told her she’d always wanted to have Carma’s dark, curly hair instead.
“One of the ranch hands told me she just broke up with Brett again,” said Mateo. “Did you know that?”
Carma shook her head. Angela and Brett Warner had been on-again, off-again for years, and most people in town were always surprised to find out that Angela had taken him back again. Brett had a reputation around town as a womanizer, and why Angela put up with his bullshit was beyond Carma. But then again, what room had she to talk? She’d buried herself in memories and pain for the past sixteen years. At least Angela lived her life, however chaotic it might be.
“Do you want us to order for you, Carma?”
Blaine’s question snapped her back to the present. She picked up a menu and glanced at the entrees. “You might as well. Everything here is fabulous, from what I remember. I’m not picky tonight.” Carma was too overwhelmed to worry about what she ate for dinner. She still had trouble believing this was real. How long would she feel that way? And why couldn’t she simply enjoy this? Why did she have to worry and wonder and analyze all of it?
Blaine ordered the lamb chops for himself and Carma, and Mateo stuck with pasta. While they were enjoying the calamari they’d chosen for an appetizer, Carma glanced out over Rio Blanco Lake. The water shone like diamonds, and she watched a sailboat with a horse emblem on its sail for a few moments. The horse suddenly reminded her of the car she’d seen earlier.
“I almost forgot to tell you two this. When Blaine drove me home there was a man in a black Mustang who was sitting in the parking lot, and then followed Blaine’s car onto Douglas Fir. I didn’t get a good look at him, but he had dark hair and a face like a ferret. Very pinched looking. Any idea who that is? I’ve never seen him or the car in town before.”
Blaine’s gaze snapped to Carma’s face, and he frowned. “That sounds like Trace Coleman.”
“You did say he was driving either a Mustang or a Camaro the night he showed up at your condo,” said Mateo.
“This was definitely a Mustang,” said Carma. “Didn’t you say that Beth was going to try and find out more about him?”
“She didn't find anything yet.” Mateo took out his cell phone. “I should have called Tommy as soon as you told me about Trace. I don’t like him knowing where Carma lives or the fact that it sounds like he was following you two.”
They listened to Mateo leave Tommy Farley a voice mail message, and then Carma asked Blaine about his job at Notus so they could change the subject. It was clear from his answers that he knew his field. She also learned that he and Mateo had been arbitrarily paired as roommates in college, and the two had hit it off from the start.
“I never had that experience,” she said. “Going away to college, I mean. I earned my cosmetology degree at the Salon Professional Academy in Grand Junction. Drove almost two hours each way, five days a week, for eighteen months.”
“But it was worth it,” said Mateo. “You’re the best.”
She smiled at him. “You only say that because Darlene gives you discounts every time you come in.”
“You get discounts?” asked Blaine. “I didn’t get a discount.”
“I’ve been a customer for two years,” said Mateo. “Stick around for a while.”
“I hope you will stick around, Blaine. And I’m not just talking about the salon.”
Blaine gave her a molten look full of pure lust. “I’m not planning on going anywhere, Carma.”
The story they’d seen on the news last night came rushing back, but she pushed it away. She didn’t want to think about what might happen if he had to return home and give grand jury testimony, and she didn’t want to think about ghost hunters. She only wanted to relax tonight and enjoy the company of these two handsome, sexy men.
Chapter Twenty
Blaine and Mateo talked Carma into splitting a large slice of cheesecake with them for dessert, even though she was so stuffed she didn’t think she could eat one more bite. “I’m going to have to work this off somehow.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she clamped a hand over it and had an uncontrollable fit of giggles at the looks on their faces.
“Duh, Carma,” said Blaine. “I don’t think that will be a problem, do you?”
She shook her head, unable to stop laughing. Her panties were soaked, and not only had her clit begun to throb halfway through dinner, but now her nipples tingled as well. They’d be lucky to make it out of the parking lot before she jumped both of them.
Her newfound confidence with her sexuality was both surprising and exhilarating. She never imagined she’d be able to let go like this and enjoy one man, let alone two. Did these two have any idea what they’d done for her?
Blaine drove her back to his condo where Mateo was meeting them. They’d decided over dessert to finish the evening at Blaine’s place so Carma could see it. On the way, she inhaled the sweet night air, wishing they could make love outdoors. Would either of them go for that? She never had, but always wondered what it would be like. Once inside, she walked through Blaine’s condo admiring the classic art prints on the walls and the rich, bold colors.
“Have you ever seen the original?” he asked, standing next to her as she admired a print of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
She shook her head. “I’ve been to New York City multiple times, but I’ve still never seen half of what I want to.”
“We’ll have to go.” He glanced at Mateo, who stood in front of a print of The Café Concert by Édouard Manet, frowning. “You, too, Mateo. We’ll all go. I’d love to show you both my favorite places in the city.”
Mateo nodded. “Okay. That would be fun.”
Carma laughed. “You don’t sound like it would be fun. You sound like you’d rather eat glass.”
He chuckled and moved to the next painting. “I just don’t get this stuff, that’s all.”
“We can do more than go to museums,” said Blaine.
“I could spend months there,” said Carma. The gleaming black baby grand piano in the corner, nestled between two windows, caught her attention. “Do you play?”
“Yes.”
She smiled and turned toward Mateo. “You two both play a musical instrument. Why didn’t I know that before n
ow?”
“Has Mateo played his sax for you?”
“Yes. He’s wonderful.”
“Well,” said Blaine, flexing his fingers and walking toward the piano. “Then allow me to dazzle you with my talent as well.”
Mateo snorted. “He’s not that good.”
“Yes I am,” said Blaine, running his hands over the keys. “But she already knows that.” The quick wink he gave her sent a shiver down Carma’s spine.
“Oh, so I get to compare you two now? I like that.”
Mateo’s grin and the smoldering look in his eyes sent her mind racing toward erotic thoughts. “Watch it, sub.” He moved toward her as Blaine began to play.
“That’s pretty,” she said. “What is it?”
“It’s from Mozart’s Piano Concerto in G Major.”
“Show off,” said Mateo, under his breath.
Carma giggled. “You sound jealous, Mateo.”
Mateo snuggled up behind Carma and cradled her in his arms, sending a thrill through her. “I told you to watch it. You’re being a brat tonight.”
“Sorry, Sir.” Carma had to bite the inside of her cheek both not to laugh, and then not to groan out loud as Mateo rubbed his impressive erection against the crack of her ass. Blaine’s fingers moved over the keys, and the beautiful strains of the music filled her soul, chasing away the last of her cares.
He nuzzled her neck. “Are you really, Carma? Or are you just trying to earn another spanking?”
“I think it’s a bit of both,” said Blaine.
Mateo kissed her neck again and Carma sighed out loud, melting into his embrace. “Is that true?”
“You’ve both discovered my secret.”
“I’m betting we could spend months with you and still not discover all your secrets.”
He brushed the fingers of one hand over her left breast, and Carma couldn’t help but moan. Blaine glanced at them for a second, his gaze full of lust and mischief, but he kept playing.