Fever (Breathless #2)(99)

“That’s because I’m smarter than Jace,” Mia said smugly.

Bethany grinned, feeling lighter than she had in an entire week. “Thank you for inviting me tonight,” she said, reaching over impulsively to hug Mia.

Mia hugged her back fiercely. “Thank you for making my brother happy.”

Bethany drew away, her lips curving ruefully. “I only hope I continue to make him happy. I love him.”

“And he loves you,” Mia said matter-of-factly. “It’s so plain to see. I’ve never seen him so gaga over a woman. I have to tell you, it’s astonishing to witness!”

The car pulled to a stop in front of another apartment complex, where four women stood waiting. Mia jumped out, pulling Bethany with her.

“I’ll make this quick. It’s freezing!” Mia said. “Bethany, I want you to meet my best friends on earth, Caroline, Chessy, Gina and Trish. Guys, this is Jace’s girlfriend, Bethany.”

“Ah damn it, Mia, break my heart, why don’t you,” Chessy said dramatically.

Bethany looked at the pretty woman in confusion.

Mia laughed. “She’s had the hots for Jace forever. It’s slaying her that he’s off the market now.”

Bethany burst into laughter. “Sorry. Well, not really.”

The others laughed with her.

“I wouldn’t be sorry either,” Trish said. “Jace is one fine specimen of a man. You’re a lucky woman, Bethany.”

“What about Ash?” Gina asked hopefully. “Is he off the market too then?”

Mia’s eyes widened. “Oh shit. No, no! Bethany is only with Jace.”

Bethany’s cheeks warmed as she blushed furiously. Obviously they all knew of Jace and Ash’s propensity for having threesomes. Now they thought she was involved with both of them. There was no way in hell she’d ever admit that she’d had sex with both men.

The other girls’ eyes widened. “Damn,” Caroline breathed. “Jace is going solo now. Wow, Bethany. You must have really rocked his world.”

“Okay, okay, enough of tormenting Bethany with my brother’s sexual exploits,” Mia groaned. “Let’s get in the car and go have fun!”

“I’m down with that,” Chessy said. “Caro, is Brandon working tonight?”

Caroline’s entire face lit up. “Yeah, he said he’d totally take care of us.”

The others snorted as they piled into the limo.

“Caroline’s boyfriend works as a bouncer at Vibe,” Mia explained. “They live together now and he’s hugely protective of her and, well, us when we go out. We don’t have to worry about anyone messing with us. Brandon spread the word with the other guys who work there and we’re totally VIP all the way. Whatever we want, we get, and they all look out for us. Gabe had to discuss it with Brandon and sign off before he’d let us all go back.”

She said the last with a roll of her eyes and the others dissolved into giggles.

“I want one of those insanely overprotective men,” Chessy drawled. “They’re kind of nice to have in a caveman, knuckles-dragging-the-ground sort of way. And they’re the bomb in bed, so Mia and Caroline tell us.”

She reached forward, all but pouncing on Bethany. “And now we have you to regale us with how awesome Jace is in the sack. You don’t know the amount of time we’ve spent fantasizing about that particular unknown.”

“Just please don’t tell us he’s all vanilla and boring,” Gina said with a shudder. “If he’s that, lie to us and let us live in our dream land a little longer.”

Bethany burst into laughter again.

“You guys!” Mia hissed. “Give her a break. You’re going to scare her off before we ever get to the club and if she goes home and tells Jace all this shit, he’ll never let her go out with us again!”

“Throw us a bone at least, girl,” Trish said to Bethany.

Bethany grinned. “He’s not vanilla or boring.”

They all groaned.

“That’s bad. Teasing us with what we’ll never have,” Gina grumbled.

Bethany relaxed, enjoying something she’d never experienced before. Girlfriends. Friendships. It had always been just her and Jack. She’d never gotten close to anyone and now she wanted this. Camaraderie. A night out with the girls. It was fun.

When they pulled to a stop in front of the nightclub, the door opened and a gorgeous, Latino-looking man with a goatee and one earring held out his hand to Caroline to help her. He immediately enfolded her in his muscled arms and laid one on her that had the others sighing and whistling.

“Damn,” Chessy muttered. “I’m one jealous bitch right now.”

“That must be her boyfriend,” Bethany murmured to Mia.

Mia smiled. “Yes, that’s Brandon. He’s head over heels for Caro and she’s the same for him.”

“Ladies,” Brandon said, offering his hand when he’d released Caroline. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm. You have a table waiting and your own waitress for the night. The boys will be looking out for you and if you have any trouble at all, you see me. I’ll take care of it.”

“Holy crap,” Bethany whispered. “He gives me the shivers!”