Sweet Possession (Sweet #5)(60)

“We’re on the lam today,” Faith said.

Serena burst out laughing. “Lam? Faith, you crack me up sometimes.”

“Well, the men don’t know where we are. We’re supposed to be ‘shopping.’ They’d probably have a kitten if they knew we’d come over here. But honestly, what do they think is going to happen? We have Sam, and Lyric has guys hanging from the tree branches with guns.”

Lyric chuckled. “I asked Connor if I could have you guys over and he gave me the spiel about how it wasn’t safe, blah blah, and he’s right, but I’m awfully glad to see you, and you’re already here, so there’s no reason for you to leave!”

“Are we interrupting?” Angelina asked with a pointed glance in Lyric’s direction.

Lyric glanced down and then back up at the women and grinned. “Oh no. Connor and Kane are mulling over background checks, criminal records and all that fun stuff, so I decided to take a swim. I figure Connor will pop a button when he sees I’m skinny-dipping.”

“In more ways than one,” Julie muttered.

“Why don’t you guys come in? The water’s great. I’ll have the chef make us something yummy. I’ll have drinks made. Whatever you guys want.”

Julie glanced at the other women. “We didn’t exactly come prepared to swim, and it’s cold out today! Aren’t you freezing?”

Lyric arched an eyebrow. “So? The pool is heated and you don’t need a suit.”

“A swim would feel really nice,” Angelina said with a sigh.

“We can fire up the hot tub later if you find the water too cold,” Lyric offered.

Faith frowned. “But not too hot. It isn’t good for Angelina.”

“So strip and get in,” Lyric said.

Sam cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should relay your wishes to the chef and make myself available inside.”

Serena laughed. “Good idea, Sam.” She turned to the other women. “Well? Are we up to being totally daring?”

“Or are you chiiickennn,” Lyric taunted.

“Oh hell no, you did not call me chicken,” Julie muttered.

Lyric pushed off from the side of the pool and swam backward to the center of the pool. “Last one in doesn’t get the really yummy cupcakes the chef baked.”

“Chef? Cupcakes?” Faith shook her head. “I must be doing something wrong.”

“I want that cupcake,” Angelina said as she started pulling at her pants.

Laughter and shrieks hit the air as the women all started shucking out of their clothes. Shirts and pants flew through the air and soon it looked like an orgy had taken place on the patio as clothes hung from every chair, were strewn on the ground, and panties and bras hung from the bushes lining the walkway.

Soon they were all in the water, and for Lyric, what she’d thought was an absolutely perfect day had just gotten better.

“Did you swear Sam to secrecy?” Angelina asked Serena. “I really don’t want the guys to come barging in and ruin our girly day.”

“I can have one of the guards shoot them,” Lyric said calmly. She swam to the side of the pool and looped her arms along the concrete to hold herself up as she kicked her feet below the surface.

“They won’t wonder where we are for a few hours yet,” Serena said confidently. “They were all so relieved that he was stuck taking us shopping that they won’t even think to look for us.”

“Except Damon, who loves to shop for you,” Faith said smugly.

Serena shrugged. “What can I say? The man has better taste in clothing than I do.”

Lyric eyed the intricate gold band on Serena’s upper arm and remembered Damon’s possessive caress and the way he touched her there often.

“So how have you been, Lyric?” Angelina asked. “Is Connor still being mean to you?”

Lyric felt heat rush into her cheeks. The other women obviously noticed it too because their eyes sharpened like vultures going after road kill.

“Ohhh,” Faith said.

“Okay, spill!” Julie demanded. “Oh my God, Serena and I have been dying to know all about Mr. Stick Up His Ass. I’ll admit to him firing more than a few girly fantasies.”

Faith clamped her hands over her ears and promptly fell underwater. She came up sputtering and holding her hand out. “Oh please. No. He’s my brother, for God’s sake. I don’t want to hear this!”

Angelina rolled her eyes. “Your brother is hot, Faith. Deal.”

“He isn’t mean,” Lyric defended. “He’s been very . . .”

“Uh-huh,” Serena said knowingly. “Very good? Very sexy?”

Lyric laughed. “Well, yes and yes.”

Julie grinned. “Oh this is great. I love it. Connor Malone has met his match.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Lyric said carefully.

“Oh crap, men alert,” Faith said as she ducked farther underneath the water.

Lyric looked up to see the chef and one of his assistants carry out a platter of hors d’oeuvres.

“Oh stop it, Faith. You’re freaking gorgeous. Let them look and lust over what they’ll never have,” Julie said cheekily.

“You guys are so never telling Gray about this,” Faith squeaked. “He’ll kick my ass.”