“Ain’t that the truth. But music saved our bacon in more than one way.”
And may have brought chaos into our lives as well. But wasn’t that life? Bad with the good. Danger with the amazing sex, that may or may not soon involve chains.
I pressed my thighs together. That was a line of inquiry we’d definitely have to pursue later.
After possible arson and drugging and assorted other mayhem was handled.
“It did. How’s your place? Were you able to go by it yet to see the extent of the damage?”
“Yeah, we went over this afternoon. It’s a fucking mess. Some of my tapestries and other favorite things are destroyed.” I huffed out a breath. “The important thing is my place can be fixed, and there’s insurance. My instruments and some of my other stuff was in storage already, because I was about to do the remodel. Most of the rest is just things and can be replaced.” I picked at the edge of my thumbnail. “Didn’t stop me from melting down from seeing my belongings turned into ashes. Or so smoky that I could never use them or wear them again.”
“Aww, honey, that’s so awful. Losing your things like that is a gut punch, but I’m glad at least some of your most important items were in storage. Do they have any clue what happened yet?”
“Nothing definitive.” And I didn’t elaborate on our theories, because Ricki had enough on her plate right now.
Besides, that was all we had at the moment. A whole lot of guesses and suppositions.
“You know you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you want. I know we hit the road in a few days, but even until then or between gigs—”
“Your husband finds me as annoying as mosquitoes.”
“That’s not true.” She sighed. “Well, really, he finds everyone annoying. Including me for multiple years. He was born grumpy.”
“I heard that,” came from the background, making us both laugh.
“Seriously, my place is yours. You gave me one to stay in when I was in a bad spot, and I’m happy to do the same. Not that we need that excuse to crash together. It’s been far too long since we’ve had an adult slumber party.”
“It has. Did I say I miss you? I do. Just hearing your voice makes me feel better.”
“Same. So, come sleep in my guest room, would you? I insist.”
I smiled. “I’d love to, but I’m staying with Cooper. His pad is like a hotel. Totally swanky.”
Understatement of my life.
“Cooper, huh? I saw an interesting photo today of you two outside the jail.”
“Oh, goody. Now the paps are focused on us too? I mean, it was only a matter of time.”
“You guys looked hot.”
“Hot?” I had to laugh. “Physically, sure. It’s humid as hell.”
“Hot for each other. So, what’s up there?”
“You know we’re close.”
“Uh-huh. Real close, apparently. Also, jail? What the hell happened? They mentioned Zane got into trouble. I wanted to call then, but I figured your phone was probably already blowing up.”
I could see Cooper moving around inside, his long, rangy body rippling with those sexy muscles I couldn’t get enough of. And if I wanted to tell my girlfriend how my life had changed—outside of Priscilla’s style of mayhem, which I’d get to—I’d better do it now.
“Yeah, some shit went down last night.” Hard to believe it was only a day ago. “But um, yeah, I kind of slept with Cooper.”
She screeched. “I knew it. I saw those naked vibes in the photo. You better spill.”
I laughed loud enough for Cooper to glance toward the patio with a grin. “It was totally unexpected.”
“Not by anyone with eyes. The guy is always looking at you like you’re a bowl of whipped cream.”
“No way.”
“Girl, yes way. Trust me. Now details. Let’s go. Don’t leave out a single orgasm.”
I leaned back in my chair, well aware that Cooper was still looking at me through the glass doors—and that I conveniently had on very tiny panties. He was standing at the counter typing away on his laptop and was obviously giving me privacy for my phone call, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t looking.
“Whipped cream,” I said under my breath. “Maybe I am clueless.”
“There’s no maybe. You clearly missed those signals big time. Probably because you were too busy swooning over Noah. Speaking of, ouch. Does Cooper know you had a thing for him?”
“Yeah. We talked about it. I explained it was a chemical reaction.”
“Oh, so being super horny for another dude cooled Cooper’s jets? Why didn’t I think of that?”
“So not the case. More like kinda horny. And believe me, I haven’t been thinking of Noah like that for a while now.”
“Good thing, since you have a new turbo engine to enjoy.”
A giggle rolled out of me. “God, I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you’ll be in New York more often now. Even if you’re going to be round and pregnant and insanely happy, and I’ll be stupidly jealous.”
“Emphasis on round, especially if the twin thing actually happens.” She chuckled. “But I don’t care. I’ll be happy, regardless. I’ve wanted this for so long. And um, I still haven’t heard about those orgasms. What kind of stamina are we talking here?”
“V-8 horsepower?”
“How many times?”
The wine was making me a little fuzzy, and I’d actually lost count. “Multiple times. Even more multiple orgasms.”
“Starting last night?”
I grinned smugly despite her not being able to see me. “Yuh-huh.”
“Damn. You did good.”
“I know.” I sighed wistfully. “My only regret is not hopping on that stallion a year ago.”
“Been there, have the baseball cap. But it happens when it’s meant and not a minute sooner, no matter how we want to rush things along.”
“I know. And look how it turned out for you. Waiting was exactly right.”
“It was.” She paused. “You’re not rushing into anything, are you?”
I let out an uneasy laugh. “No?”
“You sound very sure.”
“It’s just a really intense time.”
“And
