Marlie’s eyes narrowed meanly. “Did that Irishman knock you up and leave you?”
“Liam…” Raine shrugged. “Or Hammer. We don’t know. We don’t care. I’m with them both. We live together now.” She leaned in. “We’re really happy. In fact, Hammer hasn’t touched anyone else since our first time together. He’s very committed and he loves me.”
The Barbie looked as if Raine had slapped her across the face. “That’s impossible.”
“It’s not.” She stroked her belly again. “He proposed to me. I can already tell he’ll be a great husband.” She stared into the distance with a dreamy expression. “Protective, passionate, indulgent, kind, passionate… Oh, I said that. Oops.”
Marlie hopped off her stool. “You’re lying. Your life isn’t perfect, and I know it.”
And there it was, the malicious glee on the crazy whore’s face. She knew exactly what was happening in Macen’s life, and she seethed with righteous anger because she couldn’t stand the idea that he’d thrown her over for someone she saw as inferior. She was calling Raine’s bluff.
Raine couldn’t afford to put her cards on the table…yet. But oh, really soon.
“No, not perfect,” she admitted. “So I’m leaving to work on that. Enjoy your night alone.”
Standing again, Raine smiled. She strolled out of the bar and right into Seth’s and River’s waiting stares.
“Well?” her brother asked.
“She’s guilty as fuck. Let’s take this bitch down.”
Thursday, February 21
“So you’ve set up the audio and video feeds, right?” River asked Seth.
The big blond PI simply stared off into space, wearing a crooked smile. River snapped his fingers. “Earth to Seth. Are you in there, man?”
Seth blinked. “Huh? Yeah, I’m good.”
“I didn’t ask if you were good. I asked if everything was set up.”
“Sorry. I was thinking.”
“About Heavenly. Again?”
“Yeah.” Seth sounded like a love-sick schoolgirl.
“You toss away your man card every time you see her.” River shook his head. “Thankfully, we’re going to get you laid tonight.”
Seth blanched. “About that… I can’t be your wingman.”
River gaped at him. “We’re supposed to tag team this bimbo, remember? I was looking forward to finding out what the big deal is about two-on-one action.”
“Eh. I tried it. With Liam. Years ago.” Seth shrugged. “It’s intense but not my thing. Too much swinging junk.”
River had always thought he was open-minded, but these guys seemed to have done nearly everything at least once. “Don’t bullshit me. You changed your mind because you’re in knots over some girl you’ve never even kissed.”
Seth glared but didn’t refute him. So he’d lied to Beck about that. Apparently their competition had moved beyond the “friendly” stage.
“I gave up on Heavenly too quickly before I went back to New York. There’s something between us.”
“If you start singing “Endless Love,” I’m going to throat punch you. I can’t believe you’re turning down a sure thing on the off-chance Miss Keeping-My-Legs-Crossed might cure your blue balls.”
“First, it will happen. Second, you don’t get it because you’ve never met her.”
“Even if I had, I’d still take the easy pussy.” River shrugged.
“You say that now, but when you meet someone you’re interested in spending time with after the orgasm, it’s different. I gave up playtime with a sub I kind of liked for Heavenly. Why would I risk what I could have with a woman I see a future with for a piece of ass with a she-dragon who’s probably fucked up a friend’s life?”
Whatever. River was a fighter, not a lover. “Yeah, well… I’ve spent too many nights in Afghanistan being romantic with my fist, so I’m going to make up for years of self-pleasure and fuck this bitch’s lights out.”
“Go for it, soldier. I’ll stay safely behind enemy lines, recording every grunt and thrust. I’ll even make you a copy of the tape for your spank bank. I’m sure it’s large and distinguished.”
“Just like my cock.” River grinned.
Seth placed a palm on his stomach. “Spare me. I don’t want to puke on your boots.”
River rolled his eyes.
“When you bring her to the room, get her on the bed as fast as you can,” Seth instructed. “The ropes are already attached to the frame, so all you have to do is pull them up, slip her wrists and ankles through the loops, then cinch them. Not too tight—you don’t want to cut off the circulation—but not so loose that she can slap you if she figures out why you’re really hooking up with her.”
“You made your Doms for Dummies tutorial really clear. I got it.”
“Good man. I hope you brought more than one condom.”
River arched his brows. “Of course. Who knows how many times I’ll have to get between her thighs to make her talk?”
“Don’t know. Just be prepared. She seemed like a looker, but I hear she’s been plowed more than a wheat field in Nebraska. You might want to glove up twice, just in case she’s carrying some dick-dissolving disease.”