chapter 6

Tally slammed her hand on the horn, a frustrated growl escaping her lips. She was so late. Her date had probably bailed by now, and who could blame him? Her jerk of a boss had dumped a pile of last-minute calls on her just as she was heading out the door.

“Asshole,” she muttered. Lawyers were the worst.

Rush-hour traffic only fueled her irritation, but she shoved it down. Gerri had called earlier, promising a date that would blow her mind. Tally’s anticipation surged despite the chaos. A bridal shower wasn’t her idea of a dream date, but she needed to make a statement to her family show them she didn’t give a damn about their opinions. If Gerri’s chosen guy was as hot as promised, he’d help her pull it off.

She smoothed her clammy palms over the skirt of her strapless blue maxi dress. She didn’t usually go strapless, but this dress hugged her curves in all the right ways, making her feel bold. Nita had pushed her to buy it, swearing it screamed sensual and confident. For years, Tally had hidden her body, stung by her family’s jabs about her being “fat.” No more. This was her body, and if she wanted to flaunt every inch of it for her date maybe even wiggle her ass a little she would. After a few drinks, of course. Liquid courage was her wingman.

The restaurant hosting the bridal shower was upscale, demanding a certain polish. Her stomach dropped. She’d forgotten to tell Gerri to ensure her date dressed the part. What if he shows up in flip-flops and a tank top?

“Oh, God,” she groaned, banging the steering wheel as she pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot.

Her mind spiraled, already picturing the worst: her date in some sloppy outfit, making her look like a fool. Exactly what she didn’t need.

She leaped out of the car, abandoning any pretense of grace, and dashed into the hotel, racing toward the private party room. Her heel hit a slick spot on the floor, and she skidded, crashing into a solid wall of muscle. Strong hands gripped her arms, steadying her. She looked up and her breath vanished.

“Hello, beautiful Tally,” said the blond from the elevator, his voice smooth as sin.

Before she could process, the second guy from that day appeared the rugged biker. She’d stumbled into some alternate reality.

“Oh, God,” she muttered, her heart pounding.

“She’s got a gorgeous voice,” the biker said. Theron, she recalled. And the blond was Connor.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked, unable to hide the awe in her tone. In suits, they were beyond lethal panty-melting didn’t even cover it. Their everyday looks had been hot enough, but now? They redefined the term drop-dead gorgeous.

Theron stepped to her side, his presence overwhelming. “We,” he said, “are your dates for the next few days.”

She gasped. Gerri wouldn’t be that cruel. “There’s got to be a mistake.”

Connor’s smile was pure seduction, turning his chiseled features into something that could spark orgasms on sight. “No mistake, Tally. We’re your dates. Are you saying you don’t want us?”

“I don’t need two dates,” she said, more to herself than them. Two men looking at her like she was the sexiest woman alive? That was a lot. Too much. Wasn’t it?

Theron leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. “We’re a package deal,” he whispered, sending shivers down her spine.

She bit back a moan, clutching her purse like a lifeline.

Footsteps echoed around the corner. Of course, it was Paul, his new girlfriend on his arm. Her luck was officially the worst.

“Talia?” Paul said, his eyes flicking between her and the two men. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

His tone dripped with smugness, like he’d assumed she’d chicken out because of him. Not today, jerk.

“Oh? Why not? I told Roland and Susan I’d be here,” she said, forcing a smile. Fury simmered in her veins she wanted to wipe that condescending smirk off his face.

“Who’re your friends?” Paul asked, nudging the slim blonde forward. “This is Candy.”

“Nice to meet you,” Candy said, her smile genuine despite Paul’s snide attitude.

Tally glanced at the men flanking her, at a loss for words.

“I’m Theron, and this is Connor,” Theron said, taking charge. “You work with Tally?”

“No,” Theron continued before she could speak. “We’re after much more than a professional relationship with her. She’s ours.”

“Excuse me?” Paul’s smirk vanished, his face twisting in shock. Tally almost laughed Theron’s words made her sound like a hired escort, but seeing Paul rattled was worth it. “You’re saying you’re sleeping with her?”

“Paul!” Candy scolded.

“It’s none of your business,” Tally snapped, her temper flaring.

Theron grinned down at her, his hand wrapping around her wrist. She bit her lip to suppress a shudder as his thumb traced slow circles over her racing pulse. Then Connor’s fingers brushed the back of her neck, sending sparks through her.

For a moment, Paul faded from her mind, lost in the sensation of their touches.

“Tally’s far too special for just sex,” Connor said, his gaze locking onto hers with intensity.

Theron lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to her wrist where her pulse thundered. “Exactly. We’re in it for the long haul with her. She’s the only one who completes us.”

Desire surged, pooling low in her belly, her body responding to their words. If she could drag these two somewhere private right now, all bets were off. The fact that they’d said exactly what she needed to shut Paul down without her even asking made them perfect.

“Aw,” Candy said, breaking the charged moment. “You guys are adorable. Why don’t you ever say stuff like that to me, Paul?”

Tally cleared her throat, her mind flooded with steamy images of Theron and Connor doing deliciously wicked things to her and her begging for more.

“Well,” Paul said, his voice clipped. “See you inside.”

He stormed into the party room, leaving them behind.

“Jesus, you guys are good,” Tally said, her head spinning. Their hands were still on her, and now they were alone. Their sensual smiles did something to her lungs, making breathing a challenge. “You can stop now.”

Theron’s chuckle was deep, vibrating through her like a caress. Her body responded, a needy ache sparking low.

“Why would we stop?” Connor asked, his voice rough and low, his touch pulling her focus from the party to the heat building inside her.

“Um…” What was the question? “Didn’t Gerri tell you I just need a fake date to show my family I’m not a loser? So they can back off?”

“I’d rather have the honor of kissing that gorgeous ass of yours,” Theron murmured.

Her eyes widened, meeting his gaze. “What honor?”

“Kissing your delectable ass,” he clarified, his voice dripping with promise.

Wow.

She stepped back, her mind a tangle of desire and confusion. “Hold on. I wasn’t expecting two escorts. I don’t know how to handle this. And you don’t have to keep acting like I’m some goddess when no one’s watching.”

“But you are the hottest woman to us,” Theron said, Connor nodding in agreement.

They closed in, their presence overwhelming. She didn't want them, but God, she did. Something primal stirred inside her, a part she didn’t recognize, pulling her toward them.

“We’ll make it good for you,” Connor said, as if sensing her thoughts.

Theron cupped her cheek, his touch igniting her. “No, we’ll make it fucking incredible.”

Holy hell.

“All you have to do is give us a shot,” Connor said, his hands sliding over the curve of her hips.

Her body throbbed with need, her resolve crumbling. “A shot at what?”

“Being ours,” they said in unison.

“We need to get inside,” she mumbled, her brain clinging to the fact that the party and chaos was just beyond the door. She had to rein in her hormones. Fast.