be on the ground from the sheer force of Justin’s dark stare.
“Zander!” Madigan chided.
“That’s enough, Zan,” Justin warned as Tank joined them. “We were just saying good night.”
“Chloe, why didn’t you tell me you two were going out?” Madigan asked. “You’re so cute together.”
“They’re hot, Mads, not cute,” Zander corrected. “I’m surprised the whole parking lot didn’t go up in flames.”
“Damn right we are,” Justin said, grinning proudly as he squeezed Chloe against his side.
“We weren’t going out,” Chloe said. “I’m not sure what we’re doing, actually. This is new between us.” She looked at Zander and said, “But I think it’s safe to say that Uptown Girl finally sees her backstreet guy for who he is.”
“About damn time,” Tank said.
Madigan cocked her head and said, “Was that a boy-band reference? Because it’s Backstreet Boys.”
The guys chuckled, and Justin said, “It’s a Billy Joel reference, Mads. Before your time. Look up the lyrics to Uptown Girl.”
“I know who Billy Joel is,” Madigan said. “Excuse me for not knowing every word to every song ever made. It’s late and I’ve got a children’s birthday party to do tomorrow morning, so I’m heading home. I’m glad you two are together, or whatever making out in the parking lot means,” she teased. “See you tomorrow night at the book club meeting, Chloe. Starr is going to bring Gracie. She and Marly are excited to meet you.”
“Since when are you in Chloe’s book club?” Justin asked. “I don’t think I want my little sister reading erotic romance.”
“Good thing you aren’t the boss of me,” Madigan said. “Chloe has a luau planned at Cahoon Hollow, with leis, fruity drinks, and other cool stuff, including lots of sexy, erotic discussions. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She punctuated her determination with a sassy wiggle of her shoulders.
Justin looked curiously at Chloe and said, “You’re doing all of that for a book club meeting? Sounds more like a party.”
“I know it’s a lot, but I have this thing about special times. When I was younger my mother never threw us birthday parties or celebrated special events, so when it’s my turn to host something, I like to do it right.”
Zander pointed at Madigan and said, “You’re not going anywhere to discuss erotic romance, but it sounds like a party I need to attend.”
“Ha!” Madigan exclaimed. “Dream on.”
“Sorry, Zander, but no guys allowed,” Chloe said. Justin had crashed her last three book club meetings with the sole purpose of hitting on her. The last time he’d even brought a copy of the book they’d read and said he’d reviewed their club rules and there was nothing that stated a man couldn’t join. She pointed at Justin now and said, “And you are not crashing our meeting, either.”
“Good luck with that.” Zander slung an arm over Madigan’s shoulder and said, “Come on, Mads. I’ll walk you to your Barbie bike and we can discuss this book club party.”
“Why can’t you just call it a Vespa?” Madigan said as they walked away.
Zander called over his shoulder, “See you guys at Gunner’s.”
“You still going back to the rescue?” Tank asked.
Justin nodded. “Yeah. I’ll head over in a sec. I’ll meet you there.”
“Cool. See you, Chloe.”
After Tank walked away, Justin turned Chloe in his arms and said, “At least we weren’t caught naked.”
“Please tell me you haven’t been caught naked in a parking lot. Oh my God, I just realized I don’t know your dating history.”
“I didn’t know I needed a résumé to go out with you.”
“That’s not what I meant. For all I know, being caught with your pants down is normal for you, and that’s something I should probably be aware of.”
His expression turned serious. “I kid around a lot, but I’m not that guy, Chloe. After everything I’ve been through, I don’t take anything for granted, including when a woman trusts me enough to get physical.” His tone softened, and he said, “I’m sorry I got carried away with you out in the open like this, but I wouldn’t have taken it further than kissing. You’re just so damn irresistible, and I’ve waited so long, I couldn’t help myself.” He leaned closer and said, “The truth is, I haven’t been with another woman since we met.”
She hadn’t been intimate with a man since before she’d met Justin, but she’d always assumed most single guys didn’t go more than a week or two without sex. Especially a man as virile as Justin. “You don’t mean when we first met,”