Page 20 of Gorgeous

I must look shocked because she hurries along, getting to the point. “Most of them have basic skills and we rotate cooking nights. Vic is exceptionally terrible.” Hayes and Theo both nod, confirming they agree with Anniston’s assessment. “I think it would be good for the guys to learn the craft. It will definitely score them more pussy, and I think they will have no problem getting on board with the idea.”

Hayes chokes down a laugh and I stare at Anniston McCallister with rapt fascination. Does she really care if they get laid? It’s almost like she knows I’m assessing and possibly judging her, but she smiles and pats my shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to me. Just think of me like one of the guys.”

Theo rolls his eyes at her comment—clearly, she’s not one of the guys to him—but he keeps any comments to himself as he turns back to scowling at Nicole who is still dancing with Cade.

“I’m going to get Jameson,” he blurts out to Anniston.

Anniston shoos him and Hayes away in agreement and frowns when she observes Cade’s tense shoulders under Nicole’s hands. He sways on the dance floor as far away from her as he can get, but she keeps plastering herself to his chest, closing the distance. Cade’s eyes scan the crowd as if he’s looking for an exit or someone to save him from his current predicament. It’s a heartbreaking sight. Knowing Theo spotted it and came to his rescue cements him as a friend in my book.

“He doesn’t enjoy female companionship,” Anniston tells me as we both watch Theo pull Cade away without acknowledging Nicole at all. Hayes steps in and dances with her, making another sultry smile appear on her face.

I wonder what the story is with her and the guys?

“I didn’t know that,” I admit after Theo and Cade disappear out the door.

Anniston sighs, taking a bite of pie. “He needs time.” It’s almost like she’s warning me, but that’s crazy. Why would I need a warning?

“Thank you for the offer,” I say, ready to let her down about teaching the guys some culinary skills, “but I work at the orchardduring the day and I wouldn’t have time for anything else.” With waking up at five o’clock, picking fruit off the trees before sun-up, and then spending the rest of the day in the kitchen with Sue making pies and jam and any other requests we get, my ass is tired. I barely have time to watch my superhero films and keep up my reviews with Jess and Milos. Taking on another job? Uhh … something would definitely have to give and I would feel bad bailing on Sue after everything she’s done for me this past year.

Anniston stands and smooths her dress down. “How ‘bout we talk to Sue about it?” Her tone is not asking. She’s telling me with a subtle smile that she is determined to get what she wants. Well, if Sue doesn’t care, then who am I to argue about teaching five hot dudes how to cook?

“Sounds like a plan.”

The party is winding down when one of Theo’s friends yells across the barn to where Theo is tugging Anniston through the crowd, intent on leaving. “Where are you going? You have to throw the garter!”

Theo stops, turning to look at Anniston, and asks the room, “What the fuck is a garter?”

Hayes belts out a laugh next to me and mutters, “This ought to be good.” Almost like everyone expects an explosion from him, the crowd goes silent, waiting for someone to answer Theo’s question. Finally, Thad speaks up and informs him it’s the elastic belt around Anniston’s thigh.

“And I’m supposed to throw it to you assholes?” he asks, clearly amused.

Thad sighs but nods his head. “To all the single men.”

Theo pulls Anniston back into the crowd, mischief dancing in his eyes as he approaches Thad. “And what do you do with it?”

Thad rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath before responding. “It’s tradition.”

Theo scoffs and turns around to meet a smirking Anniston. “You knew about this shit?”

She smothers a laugh and nods. “Come take it off of me, Von Bremen, so we can get out of here.”

Theo looks around at his audience and shrugs. “Whatever you losers want.”

Someone brings a chair over and Anniston sits, extending her leg out from the sheer layers of her skirt. “Get on your knees, Teddy.” Her tone is playful as Theo shakes his head and drops to one knee.

“I’m just supposed to pull it off and throw it to these motherfuckers?” he asks Anniston again, making sure he’s clear on the process.

Anniston holds back a smile and props her heel on his thigh. “Yep.”

With a chuckle, Theo lifts up her dress, pulls her low in the chair, and buries his head underneath, pinning Anniston’s legs with his hands. She squeals out half-assed objections and Cade groans while Hayes’ body shakes beside me. Anniston’s face flushes and she becomes incredibly wiggly on the chair.

After a couple of minutes of everyone holding their breath in probable anticipation, Theo emerges from under the silk with something white hanging from his mouth.

He looks around and flashes Cade a wink before spitting out the item in his hand and admitting, “Shit. This isn’t it.” He stuffs what is clearly Anniston’s thong in his pocket before turning and snatching her body once again. “Hang on, I’m going back in.”

Groans and soft snickers echo in the crowded barn. Apparently, everyone has grown to expect these kind of shenanigans from Theo. Cade shakes his head as Anniston squeaks and tries to stifle a moan under Theo’s torture. “I almost have it,” he yells from underneath the dress, keeping us updated on his progress.

Anniston’s head falls back, and she tries reining him in by calling his name, but he keeps going until the crowd shuffles around, feeling slightly awkward by watching this insane garter throwing ordeal.

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