Secret Weapon

She sat at the table across from Sloan. Liam placed a plate of bacon and pancakes in front of her, then another in front of Sloan, and one at the empty place beside her. He poured some coffee into a mug and handed it to her, then sat down.

“So, Liam, how do you and Sloan know each other?” she asked.

“We were both sent on training just after he moved here. I was going through a bad time in a stagnating relationship and Sloan offered some good advice.” Liam poured a little cream in his coffee and a spoonful of sugar, then stirred. He tapped his spoon on the side of the mug. “We’ve been friends ever since.”

“So this difficult relationship … I assume it came to an end?”

“Yeah, we split a few weeks later. I stayed with my brother and his wife for a couple of months until I could find a place. I finally got into a new house last weekend.”

She smiled. “You must be the friend Sloan went to help move last Sunday.”

“Guilty.”

“Well, you’ll do fine out there.” She winked at him. “The woman who ends up with you is going to be pretty lucky.”

“Thanks.” Liam took a sip of his coffee. “Right now I’m just trying to adjust to single life. I’ve lost touch with my old group of friends. The hardest part about being single is how much empty space I have to fill. So last night was really great for me.” He sent her a devilish smile. “I must say, I can’t remember the last time I had such an enjoyable diversion.”

Heat washed through her at the memories of him touching her body, her eyes covered by the blindfold.

“Me too,” she murmured.

Sloan shifted in his chair and Janine glanced his way. His glower told her he was uncomfortable with her and Liam’s mutual appreciation.

She turned her gaze back to Liam and grinned. “You know, Sloan’s still fairly new to Kenora. I was planning to show him around town. You’re more than welcome to join us if you’d like.”

Liam grinned. “That would be great.”

Boy, she loved his schoolboy grin. So charming. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair and tousle it.

Sloan, who’d been sipping his coffee, set down his mug. “Don’t you still have a lot of unpacking to do?”

“No. You and I got most of it done last Sunday. Those few boxes that were left I organized the next day.” Liam glanced at Sloan. “But if I’m intruding…”

“No, not at all,” she said.

Janine took a bite of bacon, gazing innocently at Sloan’s glare. Clearly, he’d hoped to ditch Liam this morning and have her all to himself.

“We could go to the zoo. Then maybe to Viewpoint Lake. There’s a really pretty beach there with a view of the hills.”

“Sounds good to me.” Liam poured maple syrup on his pancakes. “Especially if I get to see you in a bikini.”

Sloan stood up and took his plate to the counter, glowering the whole time.

* * *

A soft breeze caught Janine’s hair as she walked past the polar bear exhibit. She was enjoying this beautiful sunny day at the zoo with her two handsome, attentive men. She was finding she really loved Liam’s company.

She walked toward the ramp that led to the viewing area that would allow them to see the bears from beneath the surface of the water. She loved watching the polar bears swimming.

The breeze caught the skirt of her floral sundress and blew it upward, flashing a lot of leg. Sloan and Liam grinned as she grasped the fabric and pushed it back down before it revealed everything beneath, which wasn’t very much since she’d chosen a skimpy lace thong to wear.

She walked into the cavelike viewpoint and stepped up to the railing in front of the window. A bear swam toward the glass and peered out, then turned and pushed away with his feet.

“He’s so cute.” She grinned broadly as the bear swam past the window again.

Liam stood beside her and leaned against the railing. “Cute? He’s big enough to eat you for lunch.”

She hooked her arm around Liam’s elbow. “I could say the same about you, but I still think you’re cute.”