Page 84 of Bagging the Blueliner
Cal bit into the largest strawberry I’d ever seen, asking, “What do you like to read?”
Bless this man. It was as if he was born to set me up.
Natalie sat there like a deer struck in headlights, unsure how to respond.
Casually, I offered up, “Don’t let Nat’s prim-and-proper routine fool you. She devours word porn like it’s her day job. That thing is full of sex.”
Choking on the food in his mouth, Cal’s eyes widened before he croaked out, “Wasn’t expecting that.”
Jaxon smirked. “You won’t hear me complaining. Gets her all hot and bothered, and I get to come in and finish the job. I’d call that a win-win.”
“Jaxon!” Natalie yelled, her cheeks turning pink from more than the sun. Taking a calming breath, she explained, “It’s not porn. There’s a difference between erotica and romance, and comments like Hannah’s feed into the perception that reading romance is something women should be ashamed of.”
Riling her up was too much fun. I couldn’t help myself. “So, you’re saying there’s no sex in your books?”
If looks could kill, I would be dead on the spot. Through gritted teeth, she replied, “Yes, but there’s a plot.”
“And guys only read nudie mags for the articles.” I snickered.
All three men burst out laughing. I think it was fair to say I’d won this round.
Sorry, Nat.
Narrowing her eyes, she sized me up.
Oh, shit. I knew that look. Natalie was getting ready to strike back.
A slow smile crept onto her lips. “That’s a lot of judgment coming from a woman who has developed a fetish for fucking in front of windows.”
Cal spit out his drink. I’d told him that girls and I shared everything, but he was about to get a crash course in the dynamic we shared.
Jaxon gave a slow nod in Cal’s direction. “Nice.” He was promptly rewarded by a glare from his wife.
Oh, she was so going down.
Game on, girlfriend.
“Funny you should mention exhibitionism, Natalie. Aren’t you the one who usually sunbathes topless?”
Natalie’s jaw dropped.
Liam jumped up, putting his body between us. “Truce, ladies. Now.” His tone brooked no argument, and I knew he would physically separate us if need be. He’d done it before.
“Fine,” I grumbled.
“She started it,” Natalie accused.
Liam looked between us. “I don’t care. It’s over.”
Satisfied we wouldn’t continue fighting, he returned to his seat.
Jaxon chuckled to Cal. “Aren’t you glad you decided to come on vacation with us?”
Cal sat in stunned silence. He was getting a rare peek behind the curtain of the relationship I shared with my best friends.
Trying to break the tension, Liam remarked, “Can I say how disappointed I am that there aren’t teams this go around? Cal’s getting off too easy.”
Natalie and I both laughed, our fight forgotten. Liam made it no secret that he was butthurt over always picking the wrong team.
