Boyfriend for Hire (3 page)

“Wouldn’t you rather I take on the kitchen remodel? Start with a smaller job.” One with less chance of being fubared.

“I can’t. Mrs. Perky specifically asked me to be on-site during the work. Besides, you can’t cruise through life forever, and if you want Tawny to see the real you, you need to give her a chance. Start showing her there’s more to you than a pretty face,” Jason said.

“I haven’t been cruising, pal. Been there working my ass off right next to you. She’s never going to give me a second look. She’s out of my league. But—”

Brody reached over and stole his nachos, shutting him up. “Yeah, knew that’d work. Look, if you hadn’t interrupted, I think what Cupid was trying to tell you is to give her time and she’ll see the real you. Someday she’ll realize you’re like an onion, you’ve got layers.”

“I prefer parfait. Everybody loves parfait. Now give me back my nachos.”

Brody shoved five chips into his mouth at once, leaving both Dave and Jason speechless and taking Dave back years. They’d been here before, many times. Always there for each other, giving each other shit and guarding each other’s backs.

“Listen, I need your help with something.” Dave looked first to Brody, then to Jason.

“Man, I’m all out of dating advice. You’re on your own,” Brody replied.

“When don’t you need our help?” Jason asked, exchanging fist bumps with Brody.

“Ha. Funny, you two. Trust me, I don’t need relationship tips from Mr. Ice. Although you should alternate hands to even out those arm muscles, Bro. And, Cupid, let’s not forget if not for me, you never would have had that first date with your lady love.”

“Want me to remind how well your plan worked out on said date?”

Dave ignored both of them, as neither meant the razzing anyway. He also shoved aside the idea of telling the guys about his ADD and asking for help. They both had enough on their plates to deal with. “Jase, I get you need to be on site for Mrs. Perky, but why change our system now? We’ve handled other projects simultaneously and it’s never been a problem for you to be the project manager on both. You thrive on being the boss.”

Dave followed Jase’s gaze. The women were back from the bathroom and engaged in a game of darts. Yeah, Dave got it. If he had a woman like Cherry waiting at home for him, he’d want to spend less time at work too. “Never mind. I’ll do it. I would have sooner, but you know, it’s kind of hard, prying the reins of control from your tightly clasped fingers.”

Brody snorted beer out his nose. “Well said.”

“Screw you both. You’re jealous because I know the value of work-life balance. You,” he nodded to Brody, “work too much. When was the last time you had a date? And you, Fubar, the list is too long. You two need to learn how to mix it up.”

A French fry sailed across the table, beaning Jason in the forehead. “This coming from the guy who a year ago swore off women?” Brody asked.

“Don’t forget, he let the right one walk away.”

“Begged on national TV for a second chance.” Brody turned to watch the women as they played darts and laughed.

“I’m a fast learner, but hey, if you want to lead a long, lonely, boring life, ignore me. Or learn from my mistakes, grasshopper.”

“Man, Bro, if he’s this obnoxious now, wait until the two of them start popping out kids. He’ll never shut up,” Dave said.

“Yeah, well, here’s another bit of advice for you, Fubar. Tawny’s been drinking and needs a ride home. Why don’t you be a gentleman and offer her a ride?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Tawny watched the men in the booth. Well, she watched one of them in particular. David. From the first time she’d laid eyes on him he’d sent her pulse helter-skelter and filled her head with visions of wicked, sensual nights. She’d even thought for a while, at the beginning of their friendship, there might be something stirring between them. Right up until she met his girlfriend. The human Barbie doll: blond, big blue eyes, bigger boobs, and a little brain.

They made a striking couple. The human Barbie and David. They’d produce perfect little clones. No, not true. David was smart, wicked funny, and levelheaded when needed. All of which he hid behind his quick smile, lackadaisical attitude, and playboy ways. With him it was all about the fun, which was fine until decisions and responsibility got in the way. Tawny didn’t need another man to take care of. If she settled down, it would be with someone who could be her equal. Her partner in life.

“Earth to Tawny, come in, Tawny.” Cherry tugged on her hair to get her attention.

“What?”

“I’ve been standing here for the past, oh, five minutes or so trying to hand you the darts. It’s your turn, unless you’d rather skip over the rest of the night and go straight to dessert?”

“Chica, what are you talking about?” Her gaze darted to the table where the men were exiting the booth.

Her friend rested her elbows on the high table, with her chin on top of her hands. “Girl, you look at him like he’s an ice cream cone that’s melting and you’d like to lick up every last drop.”

Tawny twirled the darts around, staring at the rainbow of colors. “Maybe I was checking out Brody. He’s pretty hot with those brooding dark eyes. Has a whole rakish look about him. Sort of like Hook from
Once Upon a Time
.”

“Hmm, the three of them together do make a pretty scene, but Brody’s so not your type. He works too much, doesn’t laugh enough, and you aren’t even looking at him. Nice try. Give Dave a chance. He’s a good guy.”

“He’s a manwhore. All it takes is having double X chromosomes and you’ve got his attention. Take Brody. He’s got focus, goals, knows the importance of work.”

Cherry stole her darts and tossed one at the board, hitting dead center. “If you want to date yourself, he’s perfect. Also, boring. Not that he’s boring, but the two of you together would be snoozeville. You need a guy who will shake up your world, make you laugh, and will rock your socks to the point you don’t care about work.”

“And you think that’s David?”

Cherry hit another bull’s-eye. “Yep, I do.”

“What are you two talking about?” A deep voice rumbled in Tawny’s ear, sending the tiny hairs at the back of her neck dancing. David.
Dear Lord, don’t let him have overheard us
.

“Nothing,” Tawny said.

“Sex,” Cherry replied at the same time.

He skimmed a finger down her arm, eyes locked with hers. “Darling, if sex is nothing, then you’re doing it wrong.”

Pools of warmth flooded Tawny’s nether regions and flamed her cheeks. Sex with David could only be mind melting. There was no way it could be anything else when all he had to do was barely touch her and she was practically on the verge of an orgasm.

“I think that’s my cue to head home.” Brody kissed both women on the cheek and headed toward the door. “Try to stay out of trouble and make good choices.”

“We need to jam too. Gotta get home and let the mutts out.” Jason clamped a hand on David’s shoulder. “Dave, can you give Tawny a lift home?”

“Didn’t you come together?” Her eyes darted back and forth between the men. “I can walk, it’s only a couple of blocks.”

“Sweets, you’ve been drinking. There’s no way you’re walking home. Besides, Dave has to drive right past your place,” Cherry said, her voice sweet and innocent, belying the devilish tilt to her smile.

Tawny shot her back an I-know-what-you’re-up-to look before giving in. Making a scene would only embarrass them all and spike David’s curiosity. What the heck, if she didn’t have to hurry home, she’d have a little fun. It’d been forever since she’d cut loose, and if getting stood up and canned in one day didn’t call for some frivolous fun, she didn’t know what did.

She agreed and waved off the lovebirds before turning to David. “You don’t have to drive me home. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“What kind of gentleman would I be if I left you here?”

“Cut the crap, Farber. We both know you’re no gentleman. You probably have a life membership to Playboys International or something. How many women are you dating right now?”

“None.” He twirled the end of her hair around his fingers, gently, to pull her closer. “For the record, I’ve never dated more than one woman at a time.”

His warm breath tickled the side of her neck. If she turned a scant few inches, their lips would line up perfectly. Temptation called her name, taunted her, testing her willpower. It’d been so long, and she knew he’d be willing. Heck, she’d lost count of the number of times David had flirted with her, looked at her with desire burning in his eyes, or asked her out. Maybe tonight she’d say yes.

“I’m not ready to head home yet. I want another Cosmo and a shot at hitting the bull’s-eye.”

“I’m in no hurry.” He held on to the strand of hair laced between his fingers, holding her in place. His gaze locked on hers, flames danced through their depths.

She handed him the darts and flagged down a waitress for another round. Too bad she couldn’t order air. Based on the shallow breaths she was taking, all of the oxygen in her lungs had been used up and she was in desperate need for more. Dave took the darts and stepped away. Hot, stale air rushed into Tawny’s lungs, but failed to exit when she glanced at his backside as he lined up his shot.

Broad shoulders, arms stolen from a Greek god, long, lean legs, and that cute, tight tush. Really, he could have posed for Michelangelo or Donatello. And no, she didn’t mean mutant turtles. Too bad he wasn’t wearing shorts. And why wasn’t he? It was summer, and didn’t he owe it to the women of the world to show off some skin?

She’d been to enough backyard BBQs that summer at his and Jason’s split Victorian to know exactly what lay hidden beneath most of those clothes. What a waste, covering up that body. He turned to her and smiled, extending the mini missiles. A quick sip of her drink did nothing to squelch the slow burn running through her.

“Think you can do better?” David asked.

Better? Than what? Nope, physically, the man reeked of perfection.

His eyebrow shot up. “One twenty? I scored a single and two triples.”

“Third base? Don’t you have to at least touch me to hit third?”

His brow cocked up, along with the side of his mouth. A low laugh rumbled through him. “Just how much did you drink tonight?”

She held up her fingers, counting. “One, no, two before you guys got here. Another one at the table.” She held up her empty glass. “And this makes four.”

As if the admission triggered a magic release button, all the alcohol rushed through her bloodstream and straight to her head. The room took a slow spin, blurring all the people into a kaleidoscope of colors. She tried to follow the spinning rainbow, but instead her feet twisted up and she found herself falling. Smack. Into. David’s arms.

“I think maybe four might have been too m-m-many.”

David laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist, steering her toward the door. “You think? Darling, I’ve never seen you drink more than one before.” He opened the door of his truck and scooped her up in his arms, placing her on the seat. “Let’s get you home before you do something you’ll regret.”

Tawny was killing him. Her head rested on his shoulder as he drove, her hand ran figure eights on his thigh. Getting higher and higher with each rotation. If he didn’t get her home soon, he’d do something he’d regret.

He kept his eyes on the road. If he glanced down at Tawny, he could see straight down her dress to the lacy scraps of material and the creamy, plump flesh beneath. He was doing his best not to groan as she shifted and her hem rose, exposing a long expanse of bare leg. Did she have on matching panties? A skimpy thong or red lace? Either way, he imagined slipping them down those sweet thighs and hearing her scream out his name.

Thankfully it took no more than a few minutes to drive to her place. “We’re here, darling.”

“Hmm.”

Her head remained on his shoulder, with her eyes closed and a dreamy smile in place. The figure eights reached new levels, pushing his resistance to the maximum before he caved.

“You okay?”

“Mmm-hmm. Comfy.”

Any other time those words would be music to his ears, but not now when she was four sheets to the wind. Come morning, she’d hate him more than herself. Nope, not worth it.

“Come on, darling, let’s get you inside where you’ll be more comfortable in your bed instead of this hard bench seat.”

“Mmm, join me?”

“What?” Holy cripes, she was toasted. “Come on, you, slide on over here, and your good friend Dave will get you safely inside.”

With his help she scooted to the edge of the seat and slipped out of the cab of the truck, falling smack against his chest with her soft boobs. What a great time for him to decide to play the friend role.

“David, I don’t think I can.”

“Can what?”

“Walk. My feet don’t seem to listen to my brain.”

Someone have mercy and shoot him now. Dave reached down, slipped an arm behind her knees, and swung her up. She didn’t fight him as he expected; instead, she rested her head against his shoulder and let out a deep sigh. Out of all the women he’d known, and yeah, there’d been a few, this was the one that would be his undoing. His best friend’s fiancé’s best friend.