“Yeah. Don’t go anywhere.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I want forty-three years. I want shared dreams, I want—”
“Lots of sex?” The corner of his mouth and one eyebrow shot up in a look guaranteed to get him all the sex he could handle.
“I hear it’s the secret to a lasting relationship.”
He hauled her into his arms for another long, slow kiss. A few catcalls and whistles sounded when he finally raised his head. His voice vibrated in her ear.
“Jailbait, this relationship is going last forever.”
Epilogue
“Oh, yeah, I want it. All of it. Don’t make me beg.”
Laurie looked up from replenishing a tower of mini-bundts to find Arden St. Sebastian staring longingly at the display case. Behind her, a small crowd of people packed into Babycakes by the Beach, celebrating this evening’s preview before tomorrow’s grand opening.
Before Laurie could respond, Chelsea appeared and swept Arden into a hug. The big, shiny diamond decorating her best friend’s finger glinted in the overhead light, and Laurie couldn’t help but smile. Chelsea’s attempt at a no-strings fling with Rafe St. Sebastian had failed spectacularly, and she’d never been happier. “Hey! I’m so glad you could make it. Have you met Laurie?”
“Pleasure,” Laurie said, extending a hand to Chelsea’s future sister-in-law, and trying not to feel guilty about wanting to bitch-slap the dark-haired beauty the night of the Las Ventanas party.
“The pleasure is all mine. Seriously.” Arden eyed the case again. “I found my happy place the minute I walked through the door. I want to move in. I’ll bunk right here.” She tapped the glass, indicating the upper shelf of the display case holding a selection of small, frosted cakes.
“Wait.” Laurie handed her a chocolate-glazed chocolate bundt. “You should try before you pack your bags.”
Arden took a big bite, and then closed her eyes and groaned. “Oh. My. God. That is the closest I’ve come to an orgasm in…I can’t even remember. I’ll take a dozen. No, wait. Two dozen.”
She laughed, and nodded to one of the employees she’d been able to rehire, who began filling a box with cakes. “You need to get out more. Good as these are, nothing beats a real orgasm.”
“Truth,” Chelsea nodded.
“Girl, if I’m ever going to have a shot at it, you’ve got to stop my brother from buying hotels. Between work, and”—she paused, and then waved her hand as if swatting the thought away—“more work, I haven’t had a moment to play, much less find a playmate.”
“Aren’t you headed to Maui soon?” Chelsea asked. “I guarantee you a week at St. Sebastian’s newest resort will solve that little problem.”
Arden shook her head, and gave Laurie a wry smile. “My life looks fabulous on paper. I’m flying out this week, but it’s more work. Help put the St. Sebastian stamp on the property and keep my father from forgetting he stepped down as chairman of the board.”
Chelsea grinned. “Good luck with that—”
“Congratulations, ladies!”
Laurie turned to see Kate and Aaron cutting through the crowd. They walked hand in hand, glowing their newlywed glow, despite returning from their honeymoon almost two months ago. The glow might well be permanent, she theorized, as she automatically searched beyond them for Booker. She pushed past a little eddy of disappointment when she didn’t spy him. “Hey, you two. Great to see you.”
“We wouldn’t miss your big night,” Kate assured her, and then leaned over to hug Chelsea and Arden.
“Damn right,” Aaron agreed. “The missus promised me cake and a shag.”
Kate thumped him in the chest with the back of her hand, but Laurie just laughed.
“Well, I can help with the cake part.”
“Jesus. Everybody’s getting laid except me,” Arden complained.
“Still involuntarily celibate?” Kate’s eyes went wide. “Don’t mention that to my mother, unless you want a bag of DIY.”
“Not necessary,” Arden replied, and lifted the last bite of her cake. “I found a perfectly satisfying substitute.”
“Cheers, love, but I feel obliged to point out, some of us manage to ’ave both.”