The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(80)

Seven days without feeling Michael inside of her? Unbearable.

But he was trying to distract her with sex right now, so she had to resist.

“Don’t make me threaten you,” she said softly, narrowing her eyes. “I bought this tiny little red number I was going to wear for you tonight. But maybe—”

“What happened to my fiancée? I go out of town for one week, and when I come back, there’s a—”

“Watch yourself,” she teased, “or you’ll be going another week without getting any.”

She could feel his erection harden against her body, and she tried to hold back the soft mewl that threatened to escape her lips. She wanted him so damn badly . . . but she wanted him and his best friend to make up, even more.

“Fine,” he grumbled, “I’ll talk to him. But I want you naked in my bed in less than an hour.”

“What about the red—”

He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to her ear, the sensation sending chills through her body. “Screw the lingerie—I just want you.”

Something inside her body squeezed as her eyes flashed, and she had to check a wild impulse to drag him right out of the pub and take him home.

“Hey, two can play at the game,” he said, giving her a quick pinch on the ass.

She folded her arms and blew out an exaggerated breath as he walked toward Jake, who was standing on the other side of the bar alongside a few of Michael’s other buddies: Connor and another guy she’d met earlier tonight—Ben Logan was his name. Ben was also a former Marine, and he now ran a private security company out in Vegas. Michael was already making plans to visit him . . . and to get in a lot of trouble in Sin City, she was sure. Of course, he’d told her that they’d be spending most of their time in bed, but who was she to complain?

“You got them to talk? It’s a bloody miracle.”

Kate glanced over her shoulder at the man to her right, and then she looked back at Michael as he scratched the back of his head and began talking to Jake. “It’s been months, so I thought our engagement party was the perfect time. Thank you again, Aiden, for throwing the party. I’m used to being the event planner, but you and Julia really surprised us. Your pub is great. Love the Irish charm.”

In fact, Kate and Michael had been two buttons away from skipping the red lingerie when his sister had come barging in their front door, demanding they come with her to the pub. When they had arrived, they found fifty of their friends and family there.

Kate glanced over at her dad and stepmom as they chatted with some of Kate’s old college friends. She still couldn’t quite wrap her head around what her dad had done, and maybe she never would. But she had forgiven him, even if she worried that she might never quite trust him again.

“When’s the wedding going to be? Might I recommend Ireland for a setting?”

She’d gotten to know Aiden in the last few months they’d lived in Boston, and she was beginning to feel a little sad that Michael’s best friends were all unattached. They were fun and always kind to her, but it would be nice to have a few girlfriends around. When they had fiancées and wives, then they could all go on couples’ trips together.

There was the planner in her. She hadn’t quite managed to kill that compulsion, but maybe she shouldn’t. Being a planner could be useful . . . just as long as she allowed herself to be flexible when the situation called for it.

“I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’ve heard great things about it.” She released a deep breath when she saw Michael patting Jake on the back. Then the two of them began to head toward Kate and Aiden.

“I think they’re mates again,” Aiden said.

“Thank God.”

“Congrats again, Kate,” Jake said, and Michael narrowed his eyes a little at her before angling his head toward the door. The man had his priorities. Fortunately, she shared them.

But she had friends and family here, and they couldn’t ditch their own party, could they?

“How was London last month? As boring as I remember?” Aiden brought his beer to his lips and took a swig.

“Actually, it wasn’t anything like I planned,” Jake answered, his brows pulling together. Kate felt a surge of curiosity, but she didn’t want to pry.

“You met someone, eh?” Aiden asked.

Michael was standing next to Kate now, and he slid his hand up the back of her silk blouse. At the feeling of his warm fingers on her skin, her breasts tightened with need.

“It’s complicated,” Jake grumbled.

“Complicated women can surprise you,” Michael said, and Kate wasn’t sure if she wanted to elbow him in the ribs or kiss him.

“Yeah, well, we’ll see . . .” Jake smiled and raised his drink. “In any case, cheers to you guys. May you have years of wedded bliss and lots of babies and yada yada yada.”

Kate chuckled. “Maybe you shouldn’t give a speech at the wedding,” she joked.

Before anyone could respond, Kate noticed Connor, Julia, and Ben coming up behind Jake.

“I’m thinking this party needs a little livening up,” Connor said, giving a mischievous shrug. “No—don’t have him play that techno shit of yours,” Jake called as Connor turned toward the DJ’s table.

“It’s better than that twangy country shit,” Connor shot back.