Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

“Climb in.” Charlotte stripped off her yellow dress and shoes and crawled into the bed. “And I’ll tell you all the cures I know.” She smiled invitingly. “Don’t forget the whisky.”

David grabbed the neck of the bottle.

“Leave the glasses,” Charlotte spoke from beneath the covers. “We won’t need them if we agree to share.”

Gritting his teeth, David eased into bed beside Charlotte the Harlot and pulled the covers over their heads.

“Why, sugar, you’ve still got your clothes on,” Charlotte commented.

“I thought we’d play a game,” David said.

“What kind of game?”

“I ask questions and you answer them.” David explained the rules.

Charlotte looked suspicious. “You ain’t weird or nothing, are you? What happens if I can’t answer them?”

“Nothing strange. I’ll give you a shot of whisky for each answer.”

“What do I get if I can’t answer?” She was still suspicious.

“I get the whisky,” David assured her.

“Sugar, you do know my weakness,” Charlotte teased, giggling again. “Can I ask some questions of my own?”

“I don’t see why not,” David answered agreeably.

“What are we gonna do after the questions and answers?” Charlotte asked.

David pretended innocence. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’d like to see what’s under this nice suit you’ve got on.” Charlotte reached for his shirt buttons.

David held her off. “First the questions and answers, then the other…” He hoped Charlotte would earn enough shots of whisky to forget about the other. He hoped he’d be sober enough to fend off her advances if she didn’t forget, and he hoped Tessa got an earful.

“Well, let’s get going, sugar,” Charlotte murmured from beneath the covers. “I’m mighty thirsty. Ask me a question.”

“How long have you worked at the Satin Slipper?”

“Going on three years. That one was easy. Sugar, pass me the bottle.”

David obliged.

Charlotte took a drink. “My turn,” she said, “Now, I’ve got a question for you. A big, handsome man like you has to have needs: why don’t we ever see you upstairs around here?” She ran her hand down his shirt once again.

David grinned. “The Satin Slipper is full of beautiful women. I couldn’t possibly choose from among all of you.”

He probably wouldn’t have to, Tessa thought. The women would simply line up beside the bed and wait their turn. There was a rustling under the sheets, then Tessa heard David ask, “Don’t I get a drink?”

Charlotte giggled again. Tessa gritted her teeth at the sound of it. “Nope, ’cause I’m not at all sure you told the truth, sugar.” That “sugar” grated on Tessa’s nerves along with the giggle.

“Oh, well,” David teased, “I guess you’ll just have to answer another question. What can you tell me about what happened here last night?”

“I knew it was too good to be true,” Charlotte whined. “You’re interested in her. Tessa.”

“I’m just an attorney,” David answered. “Besides, why would I be interested in Tessa Roarke when I have a warm, generous woman like you in my arms?”

That does it! Tessa nearly bolted from her hiding place before she realized she’d give herself away. She settled back down on the pile of clothes and fumed. Generous was right.