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While Rob protested loudly, the aqua-eyed Adonis grinned at her.
He forgot all about it, she told Rob s friends.
Rob closed his mouth with a snap as he shot her a black look, but his eyes were lit
with laughter. Dragging Shelley down the hall, Rob led his friends back through the
living room, dining room and into the kitchen.
He can t help it, Bret took up for Rob. He s a writer. All writers are
Rude? Dalton cut in.
Bret laughed as he pulled open the fridge door. I was going to say forgetful. But
rude works too.
How much beer does he have in the fridge?
A couple of six packs, Bret responded while Rob looked guilty.
Rob s friends shared a significant look. He didn t know we were coming, Dalton
asserted.
Good thing we stopped and picked up a case on the way here. Bret grinned at
Rob. That won t stop us from drinking yours first though. Who d you hit? he asked,
pointing the long end of his beer bottle at Rob s wrapped wrist.
The last guy who called me rude, Rob growled, swiping the bottle out of his
friend s grasp. He flicked an impatient glance at his wrist. I keep reinjuring the damn
thing in the pool.
Pool? Dalton s eyebrows arched upward. When did you become a swimmer?
Shelley gave Rob an interested look, waiting for his answer.
Where are the girls? Rob changed the subject. He jockeyed the beer bottle in his
right hand and twisted the cap off with his left. I thought you d be bringing them with
you.
Dalton threw himself into a black vinyl kitchen chair. Wedding shower.
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Madison Hayes
Oh yeah? Anybody I know? Rob asked.
Dalton tipped some beer into his mouth and swallowed. April s brother Bolt.
Bolt! Bolt s getting married?
With one hand, Bret pushed his dark hair off his forehead. Yeah. You might know
the bride as well. Octavia October.
Rob did a double take. No! Bolt s marrying The Double O?
Surprised, Shelley cut in. Octavia October, the writer?
Yeah, Rob answered as Dalton nodded. Octavia writes erotic romance too. The
same as& what Bobbi writes.
At this, Shelley saw Bret s eyebrows lift slightly as his gaze slid sideways and
connected with his friend s.
By the way, how is Bobbi? Dalton asked.
Rob didn t answer. He just glared back in response.
At this point, Shelley decided it might be a good time to make her exit, particularly
if the men were going to talk about Rob s wife. It would be a good time to go home,
regroup and rethink her relationship with Rob. Things had gotten a little intense back
there in his office before his friends arrived.
Where are you going? Rob almost barked at Shelley as she edged back toward the
kitchen door.
I should check in at home, she explained, excusing herself. I m sure you guys
have a lot of catching up to do. I ll just grab some of my things before I go. With that
excuse, she hurried from the room.
60
Miss August
Chapter Seven
Rob s unsettled gaze followed Shelley out of the kitchen. Excuse me, he muttered,
sliding his brown bottle onto the table. Go ahead and bring in that beer. I ll be back in
a minute.
He caught up to Shelley in her bedroom. She was collecting her yellow comforter
into a large plump pile. Reaching out tentatively, he touched her arm. You re not
upset, are you?
No! she answered swiftly, not at all.
I didn t say anything to Cristofer when he put his bag in your room because I
thought& you could spend the night in mine.
She continued stuffing her comforter into a large plastic bag. Why would you
think that would be okay?
Maybe I was just hoping it would be okay, he muttered. It s just for one night.
The guys came in to see Orange Speed at The Roxy. They ll be flying out in the
morning.
You missed the concert tonight?
Rob shook his head. The Speed isn t one of my& favorite bands. I can t stand them,
actually. But I told the guys to come on over here after the show. He started speaking
rapidly. Don t go. Spend the night with me. I promise I ll& behave. I just want to hold
you. I know that probably sounds stupid, particularly coming from me, but I just want
to hold you.
When Shelley shook her head, he moved in close behind her, wrapping her in his
arms, collecting her breasts into his long, thick fingers. I d forgotten what it was like to
squeeze a woman s breasts and feel her nipples tighten beneath my palms, he breathed
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Madison Hayes
out in a warm sigh. I d forgotten about this, he told her. Simple pleasures.
Togetherness stuff.
His hand trailed down the curve of her belly and settled gently over her mons. I d
forgotten what it felt like to warm your hand between a woman s legs, what a handful
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