No matter how exasperating the idea of helping Shotelle win over Lynn had become, nothing had officially changed. He needed to focus in spite of his reservations, because the alternative—failure—was unacceptable.
Dean made a face. “Phil strikes me as the type who might sue our asses if he doesn’t get what he wants.”
“I wait in anticipation for the day some idiot tries to take us to court,” Jack said. “The media coverage alone would be worth the scandal.”
“No scandals. No media. Just get the damn job done.” Parker dragged a hand through his hair. “Enough chatter, both of you. Didi has a list of some prescheduled requests you can work on.”
Jack and Dean exchanged glances but wisely didn’t say anything about the stick up his ass.
Or at least not until hours later, when he and Dean pulled up outside the bar they’d tracked Lynn to. The two women had stopped for burgers and fries at a grill on 16th, and now they were hitting the Frog and Crown, a small pub Parker had never heard of. But the second he went to open his door, Dean clicked the power lock down.
“What the fuck?” Parker glared at the other man.
“Talk to me, bro.” Dean shook his head. “You’ve been snapping at us all day. I think Didi was one second away from sneaking a Midol into your lunch.”
Damn it. There was no use in denying it.
“Shotelle emailed me earlier saying he just remembered Lynn loves roses. When we know for a fact that she’s not a fan.” Parker wearily gestured to the bar. “I keep thinking about how she’s wasted on that asshole. Usually I love what we do, but the woman deserves a helluva lot better than a prick who doesn’t know fuck-all about her likes and dislikes.”
“Agreed. Phil’s a jerk, and an ass, and no woman in her right mind would agree to marry a guy who doesn’t give two shits about anyone but himself.” Dean shrugged. “But Lynn seems smart enough to make that discovery on her own. She’s not going to thank us for poking our noses into her affairs. Plus, remember what you said last night—this is our business. So unless we want to return the advance and risk Phil-the-fucker making waves, we do our job. Period. Trust in karma that his true colors shine through after we cash the check and before she says ‘I do’.”
“I still don’t like it,” Parker grumbled. “We’re aiding and abetting a criminal.”
Dean snickered. “Melodramatic much?”
“Come on, admit it. She deserves better. Someone like you, or me. Either one of us would be better for her than that egotistical bastard.”
“I know, bro, I know.” Dean unlocked their doors. “Hey, if I had my way? We’d be heading into that bar to turn Lynn’s night into a fantasy like she’s never experienced before, including the best damn sex ever. But, sad as the truth is, that’s not our agenda. So get your head in the game, and let’s go find out what turns the lady on.”
Parker wanted to growl in frustration, but he simply nodded and reached for the door handle.
“So what’s the plan?” Dean asked. “Do we make contact?”
He mulled it over. “Only if it comes off as natural. Otherwise we just observe. We know she eats meat now, but pay attention to what she drinks, any music she plays on the jukebox—the usual.”
“Roger that.”
A moment later they headed for the bar, the flashing red-and-green neon signs casting strange shadows over Dean’s dark hair. Music hit them before the front door was even open, a heart-pounding beat echoing off walls covered with all manner of ceramic frogs.
Dean peered closer with ghoulish fascination. “They’re all wearing teeny, tiny crowns.”
Parker was no longer checking the décor. He’d spotted Lynn, her face shining as she threw her head back and laughed. Irritation slammed like a fist into his solar plexus, but he pushed it aside. Dean was right. This was a job, nothing more.
But nobody said he couldn’t at least enjoy looking at his target.
She’d pulled her long hair into a loose braid, golden highlights dancing as she moved. Her pale blue tank top clung intimately, the upper curves of her smooth breasts perfectly visible above the scooped neckline. That left her shoulders bare, the twinkling lights suspended over her table shining down and giving her an angelic glow.
“She’s wearing blue again. I think it’s safe to say she likes the color,” Dean remarked in a dry voice.
Parker felt himself being tugged along the length of the bar toward an empty table. His buddy shoved him on a tall stool, settling across from him where they could easily observe Lynn.
“You’re so unobtrusive and discreet tonight,” Dean muttered barely loud enough to be heard above the music. “Just don’t drool on her, okay? That would be hard to explain to everyone.”
“Fuck off.”
Dean pulled off his coat and tossed it on the seat beside him. “Wait until we get a drink in hand. Then you can introduce me to the friend.”
“The friend?” he said blankly.
“Yeah, you know, the golden goddess of love sitting next to Lynn. The one you failed to tell me about earlier, and who, might I point out, is not our mark, and therefore totally on the table for an evening of being swept off her feet and pleasured until she can’t resist my charms.”
“Hound dog.”
“Arwhoooooo.” Damned if Dean didn’t actually throw back his head and howl. Loudly.
Across the bar, Lynn and Suz turned toward the sound. Lynn’s eyes widened as recognition kicked in. And somehow the entire evening got a little bit brighter.
Chapter Four
“It’s fate,” Suz hissed. “F-A-T-E. Fate.”
Normally Lynn’s practical nature would rear its head and argue the statement, but at the moment, she was at a total loss for words. The sex god from yoga was here. Sitting twenty feet away from them.
What were the odds? The very day she decided to end it with Phil, the universe rewarded her with the sexiest man she’d ever met?
Maybe she needed to reevaluate her stance on F-A-T-E.
“You need to buy him a drink,” Suz announced. “Seriously. Flag down our waitress. Pronto.”
Lynn had to laugh. “I’m not doing that!”
“Why not? You’re officially single again—what better way to celebrate than to hook up with the hottest guy on the planet?” Suz paused. “Actually, the title of ‘hottest guy on the planet’ might be a two-way tie. Because damn, his pal is not hard on the eyes, either.”
Since she wasn’t directly facing their table, Lynn had to discreetly shift her head in order to study Parker’s friend. Her breath instantly hitched when she got a better look.
Yep, the new guy was equally delicious, and he didn’t waste a single second before his gaze locked on hers. A dark brow cocked enticingly, leaving no doubt in her mind this guy was always ready for a good time. Sensuality rolled off his lean, muscular body in spades, and Lynn was surprised to feel her body respond to the playful twinkle in his eyes.
Her gaze moved on to Parker, and she was startled again, because she found him looking right back. His expression was more serious than his friend’s but no less seductive. Those moss-green eyes burned her face, sending ripples of heat shooting through her body before settling between her legs.
Oh boy. She might not be a big believer in fate, but she sure believed in chemistry—and right now, a ridiculous amount of mutual attraction was combusting the air.
“I didn’t come here to hook up with anyone,” she said with a sigh. “I mean, I haven’t even officially ended it with Phil yet.”
“Yeah, explain that to me again? Because in my humble opinion, you should have stormed into Philandering Phil’s office hours ago and dumped his ass.” Suz tapped her red-painted fingernails on the tabletop, her eyes narrowed with accusation.
Lynn absently traced the rim of her empty shot glass, the urge for another mouthful of tequila overtaking her. “He went to lunch with his boss, and I didn’t get a chance to see him all day. I was busy working on the weekend layout.”
She raised her hand at their waitress, trying to get the woman’s attention.
“Bullcrap,” Suz retorted. “You’re a pansy when it comes to breakups. Remember in senior year when you wanted to dump Mike the Maggot? It took you three weeks to gather the courage, then you did it by shoving a note into his locker.” A pause. “Hey, can I see your phone for a sec? My battery died and I want to check my email.”
Distracted, Lynn slid her iPhone across the table and continued to try to catch the waitress’s attention. She finally succeeded, gesturing to their glasses and signaling for another round of shots. Lynn turned back in time to see Suz hold the phone up triumphantly.
“It’s dialing,” she declared.
Her friend’s barely restrained smirk sparked panic in Lynn’s gut. “What? What did you do?”
She snatched the phone, her frantic gaze landing on the screen to discover Suz had called Phil. Lynn was about to jam a finger on the end button when Phil’s voice came out of the speaker.
“Hello, Lynn. I was about to call you.”
With a murderous glare, she covered the mouthpiece and snapped at her best friend. “Unacceptable! I’ll get you for this, Susanna Lorraine Jones. Mark my words!”
Suz sighed. “Look, if you don’t want to answer, fine. But you deserve so much better than him.”
Her annoyance dissolved at the sincerity in her friend’s expression. With a sigh of her own, she brought the phone to her ear, catching the tail end of Phil’s remark. The asshole hadn’t even noticed she hadn’t said hello yet.
“—important lunch meeting. Otherwise I would have come down to have lunch with you.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” she cut in. “I was busy myself. I wouldn’t have been able to see you, anyway.”
“Are you still working on the digital do-hickey?” Phil sounded suspicious. “I thought we decided it was a waste of time.”
Her jaw tensed. “No, you decided my program was a waste of time, but you’re not an expert in formatting.”
Across the table, Suz was gaping at her, which made Lynn realize now was not the time to argue about work.
“But it’s not the program that kept me busy,” she said stiffly. “I had a very enlightening day, Phil. See, I was taking a stroll on the third floor, just happened to walk by a supply closet, and you’ll never guess who I saw coming out of it.”
Phil went quiet.
Suz snorted.
“Look…Lynn…” Phil spoke again, his tone lined with wariness. “I don’t know where you’re going with this—”
“Oh, you don’t? I guess I’ll have to make myself more clear—you were fooling around with another woman.” The bold accusation startled even her. She wasn’t usually so direct, at least not when it came to relationship conflicts.
“That’s categorically untrue! Look, I don’t know what Alana told you, but she’s clearly lying.”
Alana?
As realization dawned, Lynn couldn’t muster up any more anger. Rather, a hysterical laugh bubbled in her throat before spilling out as the sheer absurdity of the situation sank in. She’d thought he was cheating on her with two women, and it turned out to be three? The man was ambitious, she had to give him that.
“Actually, I was referring to Sylvia,” Lynn answered, “but it’s good to know you’re also seeing Alana. Maybe the two of them and Dana could form a little club.”
Another snort from Suz.
Phil wasn’t nearly as amused. “We need to meet in person to discuss this, Lynn. Because the second you look into my eyes and see the truth reflected back, you’ll know whatever lies you’ve been hearing are simply that—lies. I’m with you, sugarplum. I love you.” No mistaking the note of desperation that entered his voice. “I’ve got something extra special all lined up. This Saturday—a completely out-of-this-world experience just for you.”
“It’s no use, Phil. I’ve had enough.”
“I’m serious, sweetie. Please, don’t be hasty or irrational, okay? If you don’t want to see me tonight, or even tomorrow, at least come out with me on Saturday. Once you see what I planned, you’ll know how I feel about you. You’ll know you’re the only one for me.”
“Sorry, I’m not free this Saturday. Or the Saturday after that, or the one after that.” A wave of sadness washed over her as it sunk in she’d wasted five months on this man. “Actually, when it comes to you, my calendar is completely booked up. Monday to Friday, weekends, even leap day—you’re out of luck.”
“Lynn—”
“We’re through, Phil. I’ll still see you at work, but that’s all it’s going to be. Work.”
With that, she disconnected the call.
“Holy shit,” Suz breathed, her gaze alight with wonder. “You’re a rock star, Lynn Davidson. A frickin’ rock star.”
She had to admit, she was pretty pleased with herself. A celebration was in order, and as if the universe had read her mind, the waitress chose that exact moment to return with their shots.
Suz wasted no time reaching for hers and raising it in the air. “To my BFF, for finally seeing the light!”
Rolling her eyes, she picked up her own glass and clinked it with Suz’s. They slugged back their shooters, Lynn shivering as the alcohol seared a path down her throat and warmed her insides. Her entire body felt lighter, as if a load had been lifted off her shoulders. She hadn’t realized until this very moment how unhappy she’d been in her relationship with Phil, but now that it was over, her world felt right again.
Unwittingly, her gaze traveled to the two sexy men across the bar. Their heads were bent in conversation, but the second she glanced over, Parker’s broad shoulders tensed, as if he sensed her stare.
He slowly raised his head, and a shiver of desire shimmied up her spine.
“Okay, enough is enough,” Suz declared. “You can’t keep eye-fucking the guy all night. We’re inviting them over.”
Lynn hesitated.
“Oh, don’t give me that look. You know you want to.”
Before Lynn could voice an objection, Suz thrust her arm in the air, flashed a grin across the room, and gestured for Parker and his friend to join them.
Simultaneous bursts of panic and anticipation went off in Parker’s gut as Lynn’s friend gave an enthusiastic wave in his and Dean’s direction. No way to misinterpret her intentions—she was all but holding up a big neon sign that said join us!
Sometimes it was necessary to make contact with a mark in order to gather information, but he worried that if they went over there, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from ogling Lynn. Or flirting with her. Or, God forbid, charming his way right into her panties.
So he stayed put, his fingers tightening around his beer bottle.
Except Dean had other ideas. The dark-haired man was already hopping to his feet, shooting Parker a devilish smile. “Can’t keep the ladies waiting.”
“You go,” he said in a strained voice. “Tell them I had to take off.”
“That would just be awkward, bro. I mean, you were the one who was yoga’ing the shit out of them yesterday.”
Parker blinked. “Did you really just use yoga as a verb?”
“Are you really going to wimp out and leave? Why can’t you—oh.” Realization dawned on Dean’s face. “You’re worried you might hit on her.” When Parker didn’t answer, his buddy snorted. “You’re a big boy, Wilson. I’m sure you can keep it in your pants for one night. And if you really feel the need to flirt, then flirt with the blonde. So get off your ass and chat up some pretty girls with me.”
Before Parker could respond, his friend was gone.
Fuckin’ hell.
He had no choice but to slide off his stool and trail after Dean or risk coming off like an antisocial prick, but there was no enthusiasm in his gait. He breathed slowly through his nose, trying to remind himself this was a job. Lynn Davidson wasn’t a gorgeous brunette he was walking over to mack on. She was the potential fiancée of a client, and he couldn’t screw this up by allowi
ng his libido to interfere with the objective.
The closer they got, the tenser he became, and by the time he and Dean had reached the women’s table, Parker’s shoulders were stiffer than two-by-fours. He’d forgotten how mesmerizing her eyes were. Pale blue crystals, sparkling with intelligence and mischief.
“You again,” she said in greeting, tilting her head with a faint smile. “Small world, huh?”
“Naah,” Lynn’s friend Suz spoke up in disagreement. “I know exactly what this is. Clearly he’s stalking us.”
Parker’s breath hitched, but her tinkling laughter quickly eased the panic in his chest.
“You saw us in our yoga gear and became infatuated, didn’t you, Parker?” Suz prompted.
He recovered with a crooked smile. “You got me. That’s exactly what happened.”
“And can you blame him?” Dean piped up. “I’m picturing the two of you in yoga gear right now and I must say, it makes a damn appealing picture.” He turned to Parker with an expectant look. “You gonna introduce us or what?”
Right. Because Dean wasn’t supposed to know who they were, Parker remembered.
“Dean, this is Lynn, and Suz. Ladies, my buddy Dean.” He rolled his eyes. “Be careful around this guy—thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and there is a ninety-five percent chance he’ll try to seduce one or both of you.”
“Ninety-five percent?” Dean echoed. “Nuh-uh, bro. It’s definitely a hundred.”
Suz laughed in delight, not seeming the slightest bit insulted by the candid remark. “Give it your best shot, honey.” She patted the stool next to her. “In fact, have a seat so we can get started. I can’t wait to hear your seduction pitch.”
Dean wasted no time plopping down beside the curvy blonde, which left the one available stool next to Lynn.
Parker gulped. He was scared to get any closer. He could already smell the faintest hint of flowery shampoo and the sweet fragrance of orange blossoms, and he feared if he breathed her in fully, he’d never get her out of his system.
All Fired Up (DreamMakers) Page 5
