"Dunno," Faith said. "In some ways hes an open book. In others hes so tight-lipped. For instance, he takes off the same time every single year. No one knows where he goes or what he does. He gets moody leading up to it and then he disappears. When he returns hes back to his old self. "
"Oh youre right, that does sound juicy," Serena said. "Were women, which means were nosy. Now Im dying to know where he goes. "
Julie laughed. "Ask him. "
"No thanks. Like I said, Ive felt the sting of his lash. I dont think Id ever want to piss him off. I know hes usually so easygoing, but I dont think Id want to see him truly angry. "
"Oooh, the stars are spinning now," Faith said.
Serena snorted. "Thats your head, dumbass. "
"Preeettty," Faith said with a giggle.
"You lightweight," Julie said in disgust.
"Whos going to volunteer to get up first?" Serena asked.
"Not me," Faith said.
"Or me," Julie added.
"So we just lie here. Works for me," Serena said.
"What on earth are you girls doing on the floor?"
Julies eye cracked open at the amused husky tone shed spent the better part of the last three nights fantasizing about.
"Nathan?"
Chapter 27
Nathan looked down at the three women sprawled on the floor and tried like hell to suppress his grin.
He squatted down next to Julie. "Im surprised you recognize me. "
"There cant be that many gorgeous bald-headed guys running around Cattlemans, can there?"
He lost the battle with his twitching mouth and chuckled. "Had a little too much to drink?"
"Hi, Nathan," Faith said, holding her fingers up and waggling them.
"Hey, sweetness, is Serena conscious over there?"
Serena let out a sound that he couldnt quite decipher. It didnt exactly sound human.
He turned his attention back to Julie. "So how were you girls planning to get home anyway?"
"Cab. "
"Ah. Well, I have a better idea. "
He pulled out his cell phone, still chuckling. He got up and moved a few feet away as he punched in Grays number.
"Youre out late," Gray said as he answered the phone.
"So is your wife. "
"Yeah, girls night out. How did you know?"
"Well, Im staring at her, Julie and Serena lying flat on the floor of Cattlemans," Nathan said with a chuckle.
"What? What the hell?"
"Relax, man, shes fine. Theyre drunk as skunks and having a good time as far as I can tell. They said they were catching a cab back to Damons, but I didnt feel comfortable letting them pour themselves into a cab as drunk as they are. Thought you might want to come get Faith. "
"Damn right. Thanks, man. Last thing I want is some joker to see three easy marks. What the hell was Damon thinking? I thought he was at least sending his mountain of a driver slash security guard. "
"Ill let you call him to collect Serena. "
"What about Julie?"
"Ill take care of Julie," Nathan said softly. Hed been waiting for his chance to pin down the little escape artist.
"Do you mind hanging out until I get there?" Gray asked.
"Of course not. Im not going anywhere. Ill hang out, keep an eye on them until you and Damon show. "
"Ill be right over. "
Nathan hung up and walked back over to where the girls hadnt moved.
"You ratted us out, didnt you?" Serena said accusingly.
He winced as he squatted back down to their level. "Sorry, sweetheart, but I did just that. Guys code and all that. When your girls in trouble, you expect your buddy to call. Just looking out for three very special women. I dont want yall climbing into some strange cab or have some stranger take advantage of you. "
"Aw, thats sweet," Faith slurred.
"Yeah, kinda hard to be mad when he says shit like that," Julie mumbled.
He tweaked Julie softly on the nose. "You three sure are cute when you throw a drunk. But next time do it at home. If you dont want the guys around, banish them for the evening. "
"Yes, big brother," Serena snorted.
"You, Ill let get away with that crack," he said. "You, however, better not ever even think of me in that capacity," he said to Julie as he touched her cheek.
She grinned. "I think weve already established that there is nothing fraternal about our relationship. "
Nathan hid his triumph. At least they were getting somewhere. She might be drunk, but at least shed acknowledged something was going on between them.
"So, uhm, whos coming to get us?" Faith piped up.
"That would be me, the husband," Gray said from behind Nathan.
Nathan stood up to see Gray standing with his hands shoved into his pockets, a wide grin across his face.
"You didn’t use to be that big, did you?" Faith squeaked as she looked up at her husband.
He squatted down as Nathan had done and smiled at her. "Better?"
Faith scrunched up her nose. "Are you here to take me home?
I cant be the first to go home. Would be embarrassing. Like Im an old married lady or something. "
Gray chuckled. "But youre my old married lady, and Id like to have my old married lady in bed with me. Its sorta lonely without you. "
Nathan watched in amusement as Faith melted into a gooey puddle on the floor.
"Oh, thats nice," Serena sighed.
"Want help up?" Gray asked as he ran a hand over Faiths shoulder.
"Im worried," she muttered.
"About what, baby?"