He widened his eyes at her.
“Cheated on us? There is no ‘us,’ sweetheart. Take a walk, and leave Stone and I alone. We’re not interested. I never really was to begin with.”
Her sad expression instantly turned into one of nastiness and vengefulness. She gave him the once-over.
“I was the best thing the two of you ever had. You’ll never find another like me.”
“Well let’s sure as shit hope not. One huge mistake is enough for a lifetime. Now leave us alone. I’d hate to get the police involved.”
“Don’t threaten me,” she stated aloud, causing some passersby to look at them and pause. She pretended to cry. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and laughed.
“Go take some acting lessons, lady. Stay out of our lives. We’re done here.” He turned around and headed down the street. He wouldn’t look over his shoulder, even though his gut warned him to not keep his back to Olivia St. James for long. He might wind up with a knife in it.
That thought unsettled his stomach. But as he hailed a cab, looked over his shoulder, and saw she was no longer there, he thought about the tasty raspberry brownie bites, and one very sweet-looking woman, too young and inexperienced for such hard, demanding men, like him and Stone. They made stupid decisions when it came to women and having sex. They preferred the noncommittal types. It was easier that way. The women they slept with knew their roles and didn’t ask for more. They would be dropped and never called on again. Those women were ready for action the moment they received a text message or phone call. It was that simple, and simple was the best way to avoid getting hurt and being used.
Chapter 2
“What is this?” Stone asked, walking up to Emerson’s desk and picking up the fancy pink box. It had the word Bliss on it in stylish script. As soon as he lifted it, he could smell something incredible.
“Oh, just some raspberry brownie bites. I stopped at a place for coffee and a snack, but then you called, and I couldn’t indulge in the pleasure. Of course seeing Olivia had made my satisfied belly sick,” Emerson said, and then he stared at the box. Stone had a funny feeling.
“What’s with the look?”
“What look?” Emerson asked then quickly turned away.
Stone undid the bow and opened up the box. “Wow. These smell and look incredible.” He picked one up, knowing that he would need to work out a bit more in the gym later if he ate more than one, and took a bite. He felt that instant satisfying feeling inside. It was like finding pleasure in one simple bite. “Holy shit, these are fucking fantastic.”
Emerson leaned back in his chair, elbows on the armrests and pen in one hand. He was smiling at Stone.
“I know. I was shocked, really.”
Stone reached in and took another one, then leaned against the desk. He took his time savoring the taste. “Where did you say this place was?”
Emerson looked at him and then the box. His best friend seemed to be daydreaming or something.
“Dude, where’s the fucking place? What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s in SoHo. Man, Stone, it is a really nice little place, and there was this barista—”
“A barista?”
Emerson locked gazes with Stone.
“A fucking gorgeous barista.” Emerson shook his head and closed his eyes. Stone chuckled. He had never seen Emerson act like this. The man was straight-faced all the time, and never sought out women. He was particular about who he slept with. He hadn’t even liked Olivia, but Stone had talked him into sharing her, and she was all for it.
“What did she look like?” Stone found himself asking.
“She had brown hair, big brown eyes, and thick, long eyelashes. Her lips were sensuous and she was petite, Stone. I’m talking no more than five feet four.”
Emerson’s eyes widened. “And her body?” he asked. He was getting excited. She seemed too good to be true.
Emerson leaned forward in his chair.
“Stone, she has an incredible body.”
“When are we going back there?” Stone asked and Emerson widened his eyes and then shook his head.
“We can’t.”