Her eyes rounded, her cheeks began to pinken, and when he thought she was about to let him have it, she burst into laughter.

  “Clam jamming.” She held her stomach, laughing harder. “Oh my God, I’ve never heard that term. And it’s the best. Literally the best. I can almost forgive you now.”

  Damn, she really did have a great laugh. He’d thought that about her last night and was reminded of it again now.

  He leaned against the counter and glanced at her. “So does that mean you’re going to take me up on my offer earlier?”

  Her laughter faded. “The wingman one?”

  “Yeah.”

  She nibbled her lip and then gave a small nod. “I think I will. But you need to swear you’re not messing with me, okay? You’re not going to keep, um, jamming my clam.”

  The idea of subtly sabotaging every guy she picked had appeal, but he’d made the offer earlier with good intentions. He needed to stand by that. If she was determined to follow through with this plan, then he wanted to help pick a decent guy.

  “I’m done with that.” He paused. “Unless the guy’s all wrong. Remember, that’s why I’m offering. I can read these guys better than you.”

  “So, when do we start?”

  “I work tomorrow, so I’d say tonight after coffee—or Tuesday night.”

  “Here you are.” The barista slid two steaming cups their way. They accepted and murmured a thanks before heading off to find seating.

  “How about after coffee?” She took a sip. “I don’t want to lose momentum.”

  Well, that was certainly faster than he’d expected, but he couldn’t blame her. Dressed up to the hilt and looking hot, she wouldn’t want that to go to waste. But man, it’d been a long day already.

  “Sure. I bet we can find a club or something.” He glanced toward the door as it opened. “Ah, here they come. I started to wonder.”

  Kristen’s gaze swung toward the entrance. “I was right. James looks like a kicked puppy.”

  Watching his friend follow Tori into the coffee shop, Blake couldn’t exactly disagree.

  Though kicked puppy might not have been the best description. Maybe more like survived hurricane Tori or something. He looked a little beaten with his slow, uncertain stride, but he wasn’t down for the count. The spark of irritation in his eyes as he walked by to order proved it.

  “Could you grab me a skinny vanilla latte?” Tori called to James. “Thanks.”

  Kristen arched a brow.

  “Hey, don’t give me that look. He offered to pay back at the bar.” Tori sat down beside her on the cozy couch. “You guys got your drinks already?”

  “Yeah, Blake bought them.”

  Tori’s gaze slid his way, narrowing and scrutinizing. “Well. You certainly owe her that much for beaver damming her tonight.”

  “Tori.” Kristen’s eyes bugged.

  “Beaver damming,” Blake repeated slowly. Amusement slid through him. “Now that one is new to me. Just taught her all about clam jamming.”

  Kristen nudged her friend in the side. “You guys are ridiculous with your little names for what is essentially my sex life being held hostage.”

  “What sex life?” Tori teased.

  “Exactly! And don’t let my brother hear you.”

  Tori leaned forward. “Let me ask you why you thought it was a good idea to follow Kris and me tonight.”

  “James asked me to.” Okay, it sounded a little lame even to his own ears.

  “You sure that’s the only reason?” Tori tilted her head. “Or maybe you’re having second thoughts about turning her down last night?”

  “No. Drop this topic immediately,” Kristen hissed.

  Girls talked. Maybe more than the guys. He needed to remember that. Blake kept his expression blank.

  “Let’s just say I’m feeling a little protective, too.” There were some regrets, but there’d be a hell of a lot more if he’d actually slept with her. “Tell you what, though. You’re off the hook for finding her a guy. I’m taking over.”

  Tori blinked, dismay flashing across her face. “The hell you are.”

  “Guys, stop,” Kristen pleaded. “My brother’s coming.”

  A moment later, James sat down. “Your latte.”

  He had a stiff tone as he handed Tori her drink.

  “Thanks.”

  God, what Blake wouldn’t have given to have been a fly on the window of James’s truck on the way here.

  “I need to run to the bathroom.” Tori stood and gave Kristen a pointed look. “Wanna come with?”

  James scowled. “That’s weird.”

  Tori shot him a withering look. “It’s not weird. It’s a girl thing.”

  “It is.” Kristen rose and set her drink down, giving an overly bright smile. “We’ll be right back.”

  Once the two disappeared down the small hall where the bathrooms were, Blake turned his attention to his friend. “All right, tell me. What the hell happened on the drive here?”

  James grimaced and took a sip of his iced coffee. “What happened? She ripped me a new one for putting my nose in Kristen’s business.”

  “So, she knows that you know about the plan?”

  James paused as he took a sip of coffee. “No. I just reminded her that as Kristen’s best friend, it’s her job not to let her do anything too crazy.”

  Blake grunted. From what he’d seen so far, those two women enabled each other.

  “And she took that well?”

  “Nah.” James laughed softly. “It triggered her again.”

  With a smile tugging at his lips, Blake glanced off toward the bathroom where the women were.

  Blake played with the idea of letting his friend know about his wingman idea. But James wouldn’t be thrilled to hear he was helping his sister find a lover.

  “Women, man.” Blake grunted and shook his head.

  “Seriously.”

  *

  “What are you doing?”

  Kristen flushed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you mean?”

  Tory closed the small bathroom door behind her and locked it. “You fired me and made your failed hookup your wingman?”

  Kristen leaned against the counter and sighed. “I don’t know, he made a good argument for it. You’ve got school all week and your job at night. Hitting the bars and clubs would be exhausting. I’d be monopolizing all your free time, Tori.”

  “No way—I’ll skip some classes and call in sick.”

  “You don’t have to do that for me. Keep your employment and your 4.0 intact.” Kristen softened her tone. “Listen, you know I love being in Seattle with you and getting to crash at your place, but you don’t need to put your life on hold for this stupid little mission I’m on.”

  “Kind of the best-friend requirement.” Tori folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the sink. “So, what is Blake arguing? That he knows how to read guys better than me?”

  “Yeah. Maybe even said that exactly.”

  “I’m an expert on reading men.” Tori paused and lifted a shoulder. “For instance, your brother both hates me and wants to nail me.”

  Whoa.

  Usually, Tori was dead right in reading the male population, but her friend couldn’t be more wrong about this.

  Kristen cleared her throat and said as gently as possible, “Yeah, he’s in a super committed relationship, Tori. I don’t think he’s looking at you that way.”

  “So where is she tonight?”

  That made Kristen pause. Good question.

  “And I know you’re not that naïve,” Tori continued. “Being in a relationship doesn’t stop someone from looking—or wanting—another person.”

  “Okay, maybe not”—Kristen gave a small sigh—“but this is still my brother we’re talking about, so I try not to analyze who he does or does not want to bone.”

  Tori gave a soft laugh. “Forget I said anything. We should get back out there.”

  “Coffee’s getting cold.”

  “But I have to ask you first, are you still attracted to him?”

  Kristen’s heart quickened. She didn’t even pretend to not know who her friend meant. “Blake? Yeah, is it that obvious?”

  “A little. You could have him, you know.” Tori gave her a thoughtful look. “You could play the player. He wouldn’t even know what happened until too late.”

  “You’re mistaking me for someone who has a PhD in seduction.”

  “Go with him. Flirt with other guys. Make him a little jealous.”

  “I’m super bad at this flirting stuff, too. Also, why would he be jealous? He’s trying to help me, remember?”

  “I’m not buying it. I think he’s going to try and keep clam jamming you. Yeah, I like that expression better,” Tori mused before shaking her head. “Anyway, he wants you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  “I don’t know.” Though there’d been a few little comments he’d said that made her wonder. “Even if he does, there’s that Bro Code thing.”

  “What are your thoughts about Paul in all this?”

  Paul.

  Kristen’s stomach sank. He’d barely crossed her mind today, which was weird because her whole motivation in doing all this had been him.

  “I…haven’t been thinking about him much, I guess.”

  “Good.” Tori nodded. “I think that’s actually healthier. This is about you, not him. Now, if you’re serious about still trying to seduce Blake, I can give you some tips; take them or leave them. Just keep him as an option. You never know how things could play out.”

  After just a moment’s hesitation, Kristen nodded. “Sure. Give me your tips. Fill me in on the way back to the guys.”

  By the time they left the restroom and sat back down, the men were watching them closely.

  “Started to wonder if you two were okay,” James grumbled.

  “We’re fine.” Kristen kept her voice bright and met Blake’s amused glance. “Just girl stuff, you know.”

  “Hey, everyone, look this way.”

  Kristen glanced up, surprised to see Tori holding her phone up in selfie mode. All four of them in the shot.

  Kristen flashed her usual smile, Blake too, but James had a slight scowl on his face.

  Tori took the pic and then fiddled with her phone a bit. No doubt posting it to some kind of social media account.

  Needing to bring the topic to something neutral, Kristen cleared her throat. “So, James, tell me how prepared you are to take the bar.”

  James’s laugh diffused any tension. “Unprepared might be the better word.”

  The conversation shifted from topic to topic for a bit. When the coffee shop showed signs of closing, Blake stood.

  “Should we head out?”

  James rose to his feet. “Yeah, guess I didn’t realize how late it was. Can I drive you girls back to your car?”

  “My stuff is in Blake’s car already.” Sound normal, just be casual. “I’ll have him drop me off at Tori’s house.”

  Tori nodded. “Sounds good. So, James can drop me back at my car.”

  James looked slightly panicked as he scratched the back of his neck and nodded.

  “Sure, no problem.” He tossed a faint smile at Kristen and Blake. “We’ll see you guys later, then.”

  *

  Blake helped Kristen into his truck while watching the other two climb back into James’s car.

  “That was just a weird dynamic. Don’t you think?”

  He glanced at Kristen’s quiet remark. Surely, she’d caught the sexual tension between those two. It had been as blatant as night and day.

  If she were aware, her expression showed no sign of it. More like just confusion.

  “Okay, I’m just going to say it,” Blake muttered. “Those two want to fuck.”

  Kristen made a choking noise in dismay. “No way. Tori made a similar comment, and I figured she was way off her rocker. I mean Tori’s just cranky and pushing his buttons, and James… I don’t know what’s wrong with him, honestly.”

  “Seriously?” Blake narrowed his eyes, realizing just how blinded to it she’d been. “You really are new at this, aren’t you?”

  “Stop it.” She slapped him playfully on the chest with the back of her hand but didn’t pull her hand away. Her eyes widened slightly, and her fingers splayed, seeming to test just how firm he was again before she pulled back.

  “So, um, what’s the plan, wingman?”

  Good question. “I’m thinking an actual club. There’s one I know of that’s open on a Sunday and has dancing.”

  “I can dance.”

  “I remember.” He also remembered the way she’d gotten jumpy when his hand had strayed low on her back.

  If she was hell-bent on seducing some guy, she needed to get over that.

  “So, let’s find us a club.” He started the vehicle and headed for downtown.

  All too soon they were in line outside a popular club, the bass from the techno music inside damn near thumping the sidewalk they stood on.

  Damn. He hated clubs. He really did, and yet here he was.

  Why?

  As they paid their covers and slipped inside, he couldn’t quite answer that. He’d promised not to sabotage her efforts in meeting someone, yet the idea of it made his stomach sour.

  “Can I get you a drink?” she offered, making her way to the bar.

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Ah yes, you’ve gotta drive. Always the Boy Scout.” She smiled over her shoulder and went to order herself something.

  Blake stepped back and glanced around the club, taking in the mass of bodies moving to the trance-like songs. He kept an eye out for any men checking out Kristen and picked up a few right away.

  One at the end of the counter seemed especially interested. The man tossed back a shot of alcohol, slammed it on the counter, and made his approach.

  Blake’s teeth snapped together. He hadn’t figured it would happen this fast. But maybe he should’ve.

  A second later, the two were talking. Kristen’s gaze darted over to Blake, and he forced himself to raise a brow and give a slight nod.

  “Hold this for me?” she murmured, slipping Blake her fancy drink before disappearing into the crowd with the new guy.

  Blake glanced at the drink and sighed. He’d have to remind her to pace herself tonight. With the guys and with the alcohol.

  He caught sight of her dancing with the guy, and her expression seemed a bit pained. Was she into him? Hated the song? Just nervous?

  The urge to rush onto the floor and rescue her hit hard.

  Nope. You’re doing exactly what you said you’d do, Blake. She sure as hell doesn’t need rescuing.

  When the DJ spun one song into the next, she slipped away from the guy and came rushing back to Blake.

  “Hey”—she grabbed her drink and took another sip—“do you think you could dance with me and help me loosen up? I tense up every time a guy puts his hands on me.”

  The tightness in his muscles eased, and he gave her a slow smile. “So, you want me to help you practice dirty dancing?”

  “Yeah, if you’re up for the task. I mean, I remember last night you said you’re not a fan of the fast stuff, but—”

  “I’m up for it.”

  Chapter Eight

  Maybe a little too up for it, Blake thought, taking her empty glass and setting it on the half counter that ran along the wall.

  It was kind of cute that she’d remembered him saying that about fast dancing.

  He led her out onto the dance floor and immediately turned her around, placing her back to him.

  “You ready?” His lips almost brushed her ear so she could hear him.

  If she replied, he didn’t hear, but she gave a small nod.

  He slid his hand around to hold the softness of her abdomen and pull her flush against him.

  She tensed again.

  “Just relax.”

  Her body gave a small shudder before she seemed to make a conscious effort to release the tension in her body. A moment later, she was all liquid movement with her body pressed to his.

  Hell.

  The feel of her ass rubbing against his crotch had the air seething out from between his teeth.

  All the blood in his body rushed south.

  Fuck. Do not get a hard-on. Do not get—

  She reached back to place a hand on his hip and tilted her head back, leaving the pale curve of her neck almost as an offering.

  And there it was. The damn hard-on. Son of a bitch.

  Blake hissed out a breath and closed his eyes. Instinct took over, and he stopped overthinking. He just danced—if you could even call what was basically fully clothed sex on the dance floor “dancing.”

  People all around them were doing the same thing. It shouldn’t have felt so stimulating.

  And then, fortunately, it ended.

  The song transitioned to something different, jarring them enough to move apart.

  She turned and faced him. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright as they searched his. “Thanks.”

  He couldn’t hear the word but saw her lips move as she backed away. Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving him motionless in a sea of grinding bodies.

  A moment later, he caught sight of her by the bar talking with the same guy she’d been dancing with before him. They had to lean close to talk over the music.

  Jealousy, quick and dark, stabbed him. Just a moment ago, he’d forgotten why she danced with him. Why he was even here. At that moment, she’d just been a woman he was attracted to. Could sleep with without guilt.

  But now, watching her with the other guy, reality once again grounded him. She was still James’s little sister.

  And I’m the guy helping her pick out her first lover.

  Fuck. He was either the dumbest man on Earth or…

  No, there was no “or.” Dumbest man on Earth, hands down.

  The guy she was with took another shot, and Blake’s gut clenched with unease. Great, it looked like her Mr. Potential was drunk or pretty damn close.

  That didn’t bode well for her night. If he brought it up, though, she’d probably see it as him sabotaging her again.

 

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