Lucky Baby (Crescent Cove 11)

“Yeah. Me too. And thanks.” I took a breath and leaned closer, desperate to get back on an even keel. “So, how’s witchy sex? Preston told me it’s out of this world.”

“He did not. Preston excels at narrowed eyed looks, which is what you would get if you asked a question like that.”

“So, you’re saying it’s not amazing? Bummer.”

Smirking, he shook his head. “Dude, you are something else. Besides, even if I said it was, you’d be shit out of luck because the only two local witches are spoken for. So, why torment you with the forbidden promiseland?”

“I knew it was incredible. The way Luna moved around that stripper pole…” I said fondly, laughing when he slapped the side of my head.

“I heard that, creeper,” Luna called across the circle, making Preston glance up from his Zen moment with my chilled-out dog.

“Not a literal creeper,” I informed him when he aimed the very look Caleb had warned me about my way. “I see her purely, I swear. She’s basically my sister-in-law, and she’s with child at that.”

“He’s just referring to the day I moved in across from Lu,” Caleb chimed in, “and he accidentally on purpose opened her door while she was, erm, dancing.”

“I was doing my stripper pole routine.”

Preston did not look surprised. “You opened the door of a woman you don’t know?” His voice hardened. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you manners?”

Ryan patted his arm. “Down, pitbull. Obviously, it worked out okay since Caleb and Lu are engaged.”

“And she’s very pregnant,” I added. “But you’re right. I went too far, and I apologized.”

“Very pregnant?” Lu peeled up her top and gazed down at her mostly flat belly. “I’d compare mine to yours any day, Roberts.”

“It was just a figure of speech.”

“Beware,” Caleb said under his breath. “You’re a vision, Lu.”

She smiled at him before pointing at me. “Men do pole work too, you know. I’d challenge you to do a routine anytime you want.”

I snorted so loud I could’ve damaged my sinuses. “Blondie, your pole would crash to the floor if I climbed on it.”

“You have no idea what my pole could handle.”

“Okay, okay, let’s walk.” Caleb stood and moved to the cooler to grab a couple more sodas. I disposed of our recyclables and followed him toward the water, mainly to keep from bantering with Lu until I got myself in trouble.

“You think she really wants me to get up on the pole?” I asked when we were safely out of earshot. I hoped. “Does she hope I’ll humiliate myself? I thought Lu was a benevolent soul.”

“She is, but she’s very proud of her athleticism. She told me she intends to keep dancing throughout her pregnancy.” He jerked a shoulder and popped the top on his can. “I reap the benefits, and she assures me it’s safe for her and the baby.”

“Do you do that kinky Magic Mike stuff for her?”

“Hardly.” He chuckled. “Can you imagine me on a stripper pole?”

I shuddered. “God, no.” But this conversation had rerouted my thoughts in a certain direction. “So, if you don’t strip for her, what do you do?”

“Just because I said we were on solid ground didn’t mean I’m going to give you sex tips.”

“I don’t need those. At least I don’t think. I’ve never gotten any complaints. And I’ve had many wanna-be repeat customers.”

“Do you mean actual customers? Like paid sex work? If so, dude, gross.”

“You aren’t funny.” I gave him a good shove toward the lake. In the early darkness, the water placidly lapped at the rocks and the lights from houses along the shore bobbed along the surface.

Laughing, he shoved me back before sobering. “Okay, I’ll bite. What are you asking?”

“I was there when you met Lu. I saw some of your fumbles in between.”