Playing Dirty: San Diego Social Scene Book 3

by Tess Summers

  Cassie rolled her eyes. “Of course, it is.”

  “Hey! A man really only needs three things to make him happy. A big TV, beer, and sex.”

  She didn’t roll her eyes this time, but the look she gave him was the equivalent of an eye roll. He didn’t let it bother him.

  “Tonight, I’ll be happy with TV, beer, barbeque, and maybe some heavy petting,” he said with a wink as they made their way to the ordering line.

  “Maybe,” she smirked. “We’ll see how big your TV is first before I commit to anything other than kissing.”

  He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Baby doll, you’ll be wet and begging, once you see it.”

  “I don’t beg.”

  He chuckled and looked up at the overhead menu. “We’ll see about that.”

  Chapter Eight

  Cassie

  Luke wasn’t lying about his television. Good Lord, it was the biggest she’d ever seen. She wasn’t complaining—especially once Astro’s J.J. Matijevic got up to bat. That man was hot even if he had the wrong uniform on. A little young for her, but she could still appreciate a sexy, athletic guy.

  Kind of like she was appreciating the one sitting next to her.

  She was happy to learn Luke followed baseball and seemed to enjoy the game as much as she did. She glanced over at him as he took a pull from his beer bottle, the bottleneck dangling between his fingers. How did he make even drinking beer sexy?

  TV, beer, and sex. He might be on to something. Their barbecue dinner was like the cherry on the sundae.

  He caught her looking and furrowed his brows with a smirk. “What?”

  “Oh, nothing.” She bit her bottom lip, trying to keep her grin from spreading. “I was just thinking about how you weren’t lying—your TV is awesome.”

  He leaned in closer to her. “Does that mean heavy petting is on the table?” he teased.

  A coy smile escaped her lips. “Let’s just say it’s not off the table.”

  The smoldering look he gave her made her nipples stiff. She caught his lingering glance at her chest and the slight twitch of a smile on his face.

  “Good,” was his satisfied reply before he leaned back and stretched his arm along the couch cushions behind her.

  Cassie rubbed her thigh against his. “Good?”

  He made no attempt to intensify the touch, his eyes on the game as one side of his mouth turned up, and he affirmed with a nod, “Good.”

  She knew what he was up to. He thought he was going to make her beg.

  I already told you, not happening, buddy.

  Fighting the urge to scowl and cross her arms, she decided another tactic was needed. Two could play this game. Instead, she leaned over and kissed his neck, making sure to rub her tits against bicep and shoulder, before giving a breathy whisper in his ear, “Good.”

  Luke turned to her, cupping her cheek with a devilish grin. He was onto her. She couldn’t miss the twinkle in his eye when he clutched the back of her hair before pulling her mouth slowly to his. She didn’t hesitate to part her lips when his tongue began to seek hers, teasing at first, then he wrapped her hair around his fist and deepened the kiss.

  Damn, can this man kiss.

  Pausing for air, he gently pushed her back onto the couch and enveloped her body with his, resting most of his weight on his forearms but pressing his hips against hers. Cassie slipped her hand around his neck, her fingers skimming the short hair above his collar.

  They angled their mouths for a deep kiss, and she was thinking she didn’t give a damn about the ten-date rule when Rex leapt from his dog bed by the fireplace and raced to the kitchen, barking excitedly.

  Luke withdrew his lips from hers but was still positioned on top of her, and they both turned toward the direction Rex had disappeared, trying to determine what had disturbed the dog’s slumber. She heard the door leading to the garage open and close, a bass voice greeted Rex, followed by heavy footsteps and Rex’s toenails clicking across the tile. Luke sighed and hadn’t quite managed to sit up when a gorgeous, bearded man with dark brown hair and three-quarter sleeve tattoos appeared in the doorway, flashing a grin and dimples when he saw the two of them sprawled on the couch.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” The deep voice held a hint of amusement while Luke’s contained annoyance.

  “What the fuck are you doing home, Ben? I thought you had a date.”

  Ben held his finger up, indicating to wait a minute, then turned back around into the kitchen, reappearing a minute later with a green beer bottle. Cassie noticed it was a different brand than they were drinking. Plopping down into the matching leather recliner, he let out a sigh as he twisted the bottle top off.

  “Turns out she didn’t know I had tattoos. Apparently, she” –he held up his hands to make finger quotes, holding the beer bottle in place in his large palm with his thumb and pinky— “isn’t attracted to a man with tattoos.”

  “Ouch,” Luke winced. “Sorry, dude.”

  The bearded man shrugged, put the bottle between his legs, and leaned forward to scratch Rex’s ears with both hands. “Eh, she wasn’t really my type either.”

  His twinkling eyes were blatantly on Cassie, almost as if sizing her up whether she’d be his type.

  She was now seated upright, and Luke put a possessive arm around her shoulders. “Ben, meet my… friend, Cassie Sullivan. Cassie, Ben McCallister, my roommate.”

  She flashed him a smile and a little wave. “Hi, Ben. It’s nice to meet you.”

  He winked, it was adorable. “Likewise.”

  “Back off, fucker,” Luke warned.

  With a smirk and the bottle against his lips before taking a swig, Ben needled, “I can’t help it if I’m irresistible.”

  She got the feeling pushing Luke’s buttons was one of Ben’s favorite pastimes.

  The bearded man looked at the game on the big screen, put his beer on the end table—on a coaster, she noted—then pulled the lever on the recliner so the footrest appeared.

  “Ah, just in time to watch my Astros kick a little Padre ass.”

  Cassie snorted. “You wish.”

  “Please, I know.”

  Just then, the Astros’ batter knocked one over the center fielder for a home run. Talk about timing.

  Ben put his hands behind his head and crossed his ankles. The smug smile on his face said it all without him having to say a word.

  “And here I was going to offer you some of our chicken and ribs.” She gestured to the takeout containers on the coffee table in front of them where they’d spread their barbecue feast.

  Luke picked up a drumstick with a grin, making a show of taking a bite.

  “Oh, man, this is so good.”

  “Aw, come on,” Ben whined, sitting up so the footrest disappeared. “It’s not my fault my team is better than yours.”

  “It’s only the bottom of the fourth,” Cassie replied confidently. “Plenty of time for us to come back.” She picked up a rib and tried as delicately as she could to eat it without making a mess while not using utensils.

  “You guys suck. I hope we kick your ass,” Ben said, flopping back against the chair cushion. That caused both Cassie and Luke to laugh out loud.

  “Come on, buddy, I’m just having fun with ya. There’s plenty, help yourself.”

  Ben was out of his chair the second Luke’s words were spoken, scooping the containers’ contents onto one of the clean paper plates on the table with a grin.

  “Okay, I’m no longer rooting for the Padres’ humiliation, just for them to lose,” he said once he was situated back in the recliner with the plate on his lap.

  “We’re not gonna lose,” she maintained mid-bite as the inning ended.

  “Uh, yeah, you are.”

  Cassie swallowed her food. “Wanna bet?”

  “Name the stakes, lady.”

  “Padres lose, I’ll get you box seats next time the Astros are in town.”

  “Yeah, right.” Ben narrowed his eyes at her. “And

how would you manage that?”

  Luke chimed in. “Danny Roberts was her brother-in-law. She’s the real deal.”

  That caused Ben to arch his eyebrows. “No shit? What the hell are you doing with him, then?” He motioned his thumb at Luke. “Seems like you might have better options available.”

  “Actually, the box seats are my company’s, but I do still know a lot of the players and staff. As far as other options—I wouldn’t date a ballplayer if my life depended on it. All the ones I’ve ever known are unable to turn off the player status once they leave the field.”

  Ben snorted. “You think Luke isn’t a—”

  Luke coughed and interrupted his roommate. “Okay, so what if she wins?”

  “Well, shit. I don’t have anything like box seats to wager. How about an oil change and tune-up at my shop? I’ll make sure your ride is in tip-top shape.”

  Cassie turned to Luke. “Is he any good?”

  “Well…” Luke teased with a laugh before taking a serious tone. “Actually, his shops are some of the top-rated ones in San Diego County.”

  She was impressed. “Throw in a new brake job, and it’s a deal.”

  “A new brake job? How much are these seats worth? My work’s not cheap, ya know.”

  “Fine. I’ll see if I can include a meet and greet with the team, too.”

  “Oh, just like that?” He eyed her suspiciously. “You can make a meet and greet with the team happen—no problem?”

  “Kyle Montgomery and I are Godparents to my niece. He owes me a favor. Don’t worry, I’m good for it. Besides, the Padres aren’t going to lose.” She didn’t usually go dropping Kyle’s name, but for some reason, felt compelled to make sure Ben knew she could back up her wager.

  The mechanic didn’t seem convinced and stared at her like she was trying to pull a fast one. “What kind of car do you drive?”

  “A Lexus.”

  “How old?”

  “A little over a year.”

  “And you already need new brakes?”

  “Yeah, my job requires me to drive a lot.”

  Ben was contemplating the bet when a Padres’ baserunner was thrown out stealing and quickly raised his bottle before she could change her mind.

  “Alright, you’ve got yourself a bet.”

  *

  Luke

  It was weird, watching his best friend with Cassie. They were getting along like old pals, and Luke realized he liked the idea of Cassie meeting and hanging out with his friends. For the last few years, when it came to the women in Luke’s life, his buddies’ interactions with them consisted of appraising her at the bar before encouraging him to take her home, or Ben saying hi to her in the morning as she did the walk of shame.

  There were never any repeat performers. After Adriana left, he was only interested in a good time, with the end goal being getting his dick wet. Seeing a girl twice gave her the wrong idea.

  Meeting Cassie on New Year’s Eve had hit him like lightning. Sure, he wanted to fuck her, but he found himself wanting to get to know her as well. No good was going to come of that, he’d been sure of it.

  But waking up to women whose names he’d already forgotten by morning had started to lose its appeal. Call him old-fashioned, but meaningless sex had never really been his thing until he found a woman’s body for the night provided him a temporary respite from the anger and heartbreak over what his life could have been.

  He was drunk and laid a lot the first three years after his wife ran out on him.

  Adriana had gotten pregnant, and he wanted to do the right thing. He wasn’t sure if he loved her, but it didn’t matter—he liked her enough, and they were going to have a baby. He was going to be there for his child, someday his children, and that meant having them under his roof with their mother.

  He was happy about the new chapter in his life. When she first told him about the baby, he didn’t think he was ready to become a father, but it didn’t take him long to embrace it, even get excited about it. Adriana wouldn’t move in with him unless they were married. He took her to the courthouse the next day.

  One night, after a long SWAT standoff that didn’t end well, he came home to discover his house completely empty. She’d taken everything and disappeared. An online check found his bank account drained and his credit cards maxed out.

  His wife’s betrayal was bad, but the worst was not knowing where his kid was. He needed to find her before his baby was born. The private investigator he’d hired found her back in her hometown in Mexico, no sign of his child. The P.I.’s questioning turned up she’d never been pregnant in the first place. It’d all been a lie.

  He had no wife, no baby, no possessions, no money, and if Ben hadn’t moved in with him so he could afford his mortgage along with the mountain of debt she’d buried him in, he would have had no home. He owed his best friend a lot.

  But if the fucker didn’t stop flirting with his girl, he was going to punch him in the throat.

  His girl?

  Borrowing a phrase from his twenties, he better pump his brakes. She wasn’t his girl. He didn’t want a girl. He’d better remember that.

  Chapter Nine

  Luke

  The Padres’ win had Cassie dancing to the kitchen for another beer. Ben shook his head in disgust until she left the room, then looked over at Luke with a grin.

  “I like her. I think she’ll be good for you.”

  “Slow down. We’re just dating, nothing serious. We both want casual.”

  “My friend, you can both say casual all you want, but anyone with eyes can see there’s something between you two.”

  “Jesus Christ, Ben. This is only our second date. Don’t go marrying us off yet.”

  “Well, you can’t exactly do that anyway, can you? Even if you wanted to.”

  “Even if he wanted to what?” Cassie asked as she came back carrying three beers. She handed one to Ben, then gave Luke a wanton look when she handed him his.

  Damn, was she hot.

  He ran his hand up the back of her tanned thigh and over her white shorts, stopping at her firm ass to give it an appreciative squeeze before she sat down next to him.

  She looked back and forth between the two men, obviously expecting an answer to her question.

  Luke and Ben stared at each other like idiots.

  “He can’t go surfing with me tomorrow, even if he wanted to.” Ben offered.

  “Yeah, I have to work.”

  “Not to mention he sucks at it,” Ben added with a shit-eating grin.

  Asshole.

  She turned to Luke, having bought their story. “I didn’t know you surfed. We should go this week, on your day off.”

  Ben chimed in, “You can go with me tomorrow if you want.”

  Luke had to give Cassie credit, she may be a flirt, but she knew where to draw the line—unlike his dumbass friend.

  Putting her hand on his thigh, she replied, “No, I’ll wait for when Luke can go.”

  He squeezed her shoulder, letting her know he appreciated that.

  “You sure? I’m pretty good, I’d be happy to give you some lessons.” Ben’s grin let Luke know he was purposefully being a dick.

  Luke flipped him off behind Cassie.

  She felt the movement and turned to look over her shoulder, not in time to catch him in the act, then looked back at Ben, shaking her head. “No. Thanks for the offer though.”

  There was a lull in the conversation, and she leaned forward to start cleaning up the takeout containers. Luke pulled on her wrist. “Leave that, Ben will take care of it.”

  He half expected his roommate to protest, but Ben was a good sport.

  “Yeah, it’s the least I can do since you shared with me.”

  She patted the couch before standing. “I should get to Brenna’s and check on Zona.”

  Ben smiled broadly. “Aw, how is Zona? You need to bring her with you the next time you come over. I’d love to see her.”

  “Yeah, you should bring her with you tomorrow when you come.” Luke knew he was pushing his luck, suggesting they see each other again tomorrow, but he could always pass it off as teasing her if she bristled.

  “I wasn’t planning on coming over tomorrow.”

  “You weren’t?” he feigned confusion. “I thought for sure you said you were.”

  “No. I thought we decided you were bringing Rex to Brenna’s when you got off work so we could walk him and Zona together on the beach. And you were bringing me dinner with dessert.”

  Well played, Cassie Sullivan. Well played.

  ****

  Cassie

  Luke and Rex drove her back to the restaurant where she’d left her car, then followed her to Brenna’s, citing it was dark, and he wanted to make sure she got inside safely. Never mind Brenna’s neighborhood was one of the safest in San Diego. If the sexy SWAT Sergeant wanted to make sure she was safe and sound, who was she to argue?

  After letting the dogs out and getting them fed, they sat on the back-patio loveseat, the warm ocean breeze causing her hair to blow in her face. Luke brushed it away, his thumb lingering to trace the bottom lip he was staring at.

  “I’ve had a lot of fun this weekend.”

  “Me too,” her words came out a whisper.

  Holding her chin between his thumb and index finger, he smiled. “Good,” he said in a soft voice before he brought his mouth down gently on hers,

  She closed her eyes as he manipulated her lips with his. The moment was almost surreal; it was so romantic with the summer night air, the light wind, and the scent of the ocean mixed with Luke’s masculine smell. His warm, muscular body hugged her close while his soft lips were on hers. She sighed with contentment when he broke the kiss and held her against him.

  “I should go.” The words vibrated through his chest against her cheek.

  “Already?” She didn’t even try to hide the disappointment on her face when she drew away from him.

  “I work from nine to seven tomorrow.” He looked regretful but quickly added, “I can be back here tomorrow by eight. I know it’s a little late for you to have dinner, but if you can wait, I really will bring whatever you want when I come-including dessert.”

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