Frequent sex with an enthusiastic partner made all the difference in the world. But it was more than that with Sheridan. He had a connection with her. He felt…comfortable around her. And not in a this is boring get out of my bed way.
More like a I’m going to have you every which way I can way. And then when we’ve run through every position possible, we can start all over again way.
Yeah. He was so gone over Sheridan. Totally gone. And for once in his life, he didn’t care. Hell, he was reveling in it.
And that felt good.
“It’s treating me just fine,” Jared said noncommittally, earning a snort from Nick. “What’s up your ass?”
“Jealous,” Nick said simply.
Jared’s jaw dropped open. He was incredulous. Nick had been his partner in womanizing crime for years, though lucky for Nick, he’d always been able to get away with much more. Considering he wasn’t the star quarterback, he used his lesser-known status to his complete advantage. Jared used to be the one always jealous of Nick.
Since when had it turned around?
“Why the hell are you jealous?”
Nick shrugged. “A particular woman has been giving me shit when all I really want to do is haul her over my shoulder, drag her back to my lair, and have her six ways to Sun
day.”
No woman had ever made Nick want to go caveman. Same with Jared…until Sheridan. “Who is this miracle woman you speak of?”
Nick rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to tell you. You know her, and I don’t want your judgment.”
Realization dawned and Jared shook his head. “No. Not…”
Nick nodded, his expression grim. “Yep.”
“Willow Cavanaugh?” Jared had seen them together. Hell, Nick had confessed all the night of the restaurant opening. How he’d chased after Willow onto the closed terrace and kissed her under the tree. Would’ve had her against that tree too if Jared’s wife hadn’t come and interrupted them, Nick had explained irritably.
There was more to their story. Some past indiscretion that Willow still held against Nick. Seemed the two couldn’t resist each other.
Still.
Sounded complicated as hell, and suddenly Jared was glad for the simple, easy relationship he had with Sheridan. The simple fake marriage he had with her.
He was a jackass. She’d essentially been handed to him. He hadn’t worked for her that hard. Jared frowned. Hell yeah, he’d worked hard for her. Spending time with her, learning her quirks, what she liked, what she didn’t like. He knew her moods. He knew how to arouse her. And he loved it when he didn’t do a damn thing but walk into a room and she flashed that beautiful smile at him.
That smile made him feel like he could conquer the world.
“Her father will eat your balls for dinner if he finds out you’re banging his daughter,” Jared finally said, focusing on Nick’s problems rather than his own.
Nick grimaced. “See, that’s the thing. I’m not banging her. I’m chasing her ass but she keeps avoiding me. And I never chase.” He stared off into the distance, quiet, blowing Jared’s mind that they were having this conversation in the first place. Months ago they wouldn’t have given a rat’s ass about any particular women making them crazy. They would’ve moved on because that’s what they did. Their careers didn’t allow for a committed relationship. At least, that’s what they’d told themselves.
And now Jared was married and actually liking it. And Nick was chasing a woman who wouldn’t give him the time of day.
Their lives had turned completely upside down.
“Jared, got a minute?”
Both men turned to find Harvey approaching them, an affable smile on his face, three-piece suit intact, not a wrinkle in sight. Nick slapped Jared on the shoulder and sent a salute in Harvey’s direction. “See ya later,” he said before he took off.
Jared couldn’t help but be envious of his friend. Whenever Harvey wanted a moment to chat, it usually ended with bad news.
“What’s up?” he asked warily.
The smile never eased from Harvey’s face. In fact, it went up a subtle notch. “Why didn’t you tell me your wife was doing a charity painting class this evening?”