Sweet Persuasion (Sweet #2)(26)

Nathan laughed. “Yeah, just don’t tell Pop. He and Connor are still at a job.”

His gaze flickered over Julie and then Serena, and Serena could swear she saw interest in his eyes, especially when he got a good look at Julie’s cle**age.

Julie smiled, but it was one of those calculating smiles that should have told Serena she was in trouble.

“Well, it was nice seeing you, Nathan. Call me and we’ll reschedule your massage. We’d stay and chat, but we’re heading over to the bar to discuss Serena’s upcoming auction,” Julie said.

Faith coughed, and Serena closed her eyes and groaned silently.

“Auction? What are you selling?” Nathan asked.

Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it, Julie.

“Herself,” Julie responded as if it were an everyday occurrence.

Nathan’s eyebrows shot up, and he turned his gaze to Serena. Even the blonde bimbo looked surprised.

“Well now, that’s an interesting auction,” Nathan drawled as amusement crept into his eyes. “Is it open to everyone?”

“Julie’s been drinking,” Serena explained as she dug her fingers into Julie’s side. She could feel the heifer shaking with silent laughter. “It was nice seeing you, Nathan. And you . . .” She glanced over at the blonde, who looked irritated that Nathan hadn’t introduced her.

“Nice to see you ladies too,” Nathan said. “Faith, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Julie fluttered her fingers then tossed her hair and followed after Faith toward the bar.

“I’m going to kill you,” Serena hissed when they slid onto the bar stools.

Julie laughed. “That’s what you get for hauling me over there.”

“Me? Hell, it wasn’t my idea,” Serena sputtered. “It was your sweet friend over there.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll get her back as soon as I come up with a way,” Julie said as she threw Faith a dark glance.

“Well, he noticed your cle**age,” Faith said. “Though I’d think you’d want him to notice more than that.”

Julie rolled her eyes. “Oh boy, here we go. Faith’s going to give us the he should want you for yourself, not your attributes speech. Which is nice, but at the moment, I’ll take him noticing me any way it happens. I don’t want to marry the guy. I just want to wrap myself around him a couple of times.”

“She needs two drinks,” Serena said as she motioned for the bartender.

“One for each hand,” Julie said with a grin.

Faith turned around on her bar stool. “So why are we here again?”

“To get Julie drunk,” Serena replied.

“And laid,” Julie spoke up. “Don’t forget the most important part of the equation.”

Male laughter sounded behind them.

“Fuck me,” Julie muttered as she closed her eyes.

Serena turned around to see Gray Montgomery standing behind them, a wide grin on his face.

“Interesting conversation. Am I interrupting?”

“No,” Faith said.

“Yes!” Julie exclaimed.

Faith hopped off her bar stool and was immediately enfolded in Gray’s arms. Serena and Julie exchanged eye-rolling glances but they both knew they were being jealous bitches.

“I take it you’ll be here awhile,” Gray said, amusement still heavy in his voice.

Faith smiled. “Uh, yeah, we’re sorta plotting the demise of—”

Julie held up her hand to cut Faith off. “Don’t you dare say his name, Faith, or I swear to God I’ll choke you with your own hair.”

Gray chuckled. “I don’t know whether to envy the bastard or feel sorry for him.”

He leaned down to kiss Faith again. “I’ll leave you to your girl talk. I’m meeting Micah and Nathan for a drink. I’ll see you at home later.”

His hands slid possessively over Faith’s body as he captured one last kiss, and Serena watched unashamedly. The chemistry between those two was tangible.

“I think you’ll find Nathan otherwise occupied,” Julie said snidely.

“Oh, you mean his client meeting?” Gray asked. “He’s finished now.”

Julie frowned and then she glared at Faith. “Client? The blonde chick is a client? Why didn’t you know she was a client, Faith?”

Faith shrugged. “Contrary to popular belief, I do not know everything that goes on at Malone and Sons.”

“Are all your clients so . . . clingy?” Julie asked Gray.

Faith frowned at that and then looked up at Gray. “Yes, are they? You don’t have any business meetings with blonde bim bos, do you?”

Gray laughed and touched a strand of Faith’s long blonde hair. “You’re the only blonde I have eyes for, baby.” Then he leaned in for one more kiss. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

He drew away but then frowned at the drinks the bartender had set in front of the women. “Tell you what. I’ll hang around and drive you ladies home when you’re done.”

“Fine with me,” Julie said with a shrug. “I rode over with Serena.”

“I wasn’t planning on drinking anything,” Serena said as she smiled at Gray. “It was sweet of you to offer, but I can drive Julie home.”