Entice - By Ella Frank Page 0,115

cute.”

Mason hummed his agreement, and then told him, “And your Man-Eater looks downright tame tonight, dressed as innocent little Sandra Dee.”

Josh then let his eyes wander to the perfect blonde ponytail and the red and white get-up. He had to admit that he wished he was staying tonight, just so he could get under that skirt.

“Yeah, well, maybe she isn’t quite the man-eater I first thought.”

“Oh yeah?” Mason queried.

“Yeah,” Josh agreed, lifting his beer for another swig. “In fact, she’s pretty fantastic—in every way.”

Mason gave him a shit-eating grin. “In a forever kind of way?”

Josh looked over to Shelly, who was now watching him. He winked at her and then smiled, watching her pale a little before gathering her composure. When she turned back to Lena, he himself turned back to Mason.

“Oh yeah, man. In a forever kind of way.”

***

Shelly took a deep breath and nodded. “Yep. I’m going to tell him tonight. Maybe he’ll stay.”

Lena nodded, and then grinned up at Rachel as she appeared beside their table from the crowd. She was dressed as a ninja tonight, wearing black skintight leggings that rode low around her waist, showing off her pierced navel, which, apparently, Mason knew about. She’d paired them with a slinky black top that clung to every curve of her body but left her arms bare. She wore a black scarf wrapped around her head and neck, revealing only her startling, now sad, blue eyes. The only reason Shelly knew what she was supposed to be was by the fake sword on her side. Oh yeah, and I had to ask.

“What’s going on?” Rachel asked as she sat down beside the peach.

“Sandy over here is going to tell Danny that what they had over the summer really was true love.”

Rachel snorted at Lena, and Shelly rolled her eyes.

“Ahh. So you finally worked out he was a keeper, huh?”

Shelly felt her spine straighten, like she was defending herself. Hang on, why should I? She had just been erring on the side of caution.

“Fine. Okay, yes, you’re right. I finally caught up.” Shelly paused, and then like a teenage girl, she added on a sigh, “He’s amazing.”

Rachel let out a grunt and stated softly, “Excuse me while I get a violin.”

She turned to the left, pretending to get the fake violin no doubt, and that was when Shelly saw her freeze.

Shelly raised her eyes to follow Rachel’s line of sight, and that was when she noticed him. Isn’t that...

“What the hell is he doing here?” Rachel demanded in—oh boy—Super Domme’s voice.

Lena struggled to sit up and peer across the crowd to where they were looking. When she locked on to who they were staring at, Lena turned to Rachel.

“I thought you said you didn’t know him,” Lena said.

Rachel’s spine straightened, and her shoulders went back a noticeable inch. “I do not know him. I don’t even know why he’s here,” she stressed, looking physically agitated.

Shelly tried to calm her. Shit, she had enough on her mind. She didn’t need Rachel having an anxiety attack.

“Look, if he’s given you shit in the past—” Shelly started.

However, before she could finish, Rachel stood abruptly.

“He hasn’t done anything to me. I. Don’t. Know. Him,” she stated, and then turned on her heel, stalking off.

Shelly looked at Lena with a shocked expression, and then they both turned back to see the man from Whipped, whose eyes were currently on Rachel’s retreating form.

***

Josh had gotten a text from Cole that he was just now making his way in.

He’d apologized for not dressing up, but he was coming from the office. Josh hadn’t thought that it was so unusual. After all, the guy practically lived there.

Scanning the room for his friend, he saw Cole as he stepped through all the colorful costumes. He noticed that his lawyer and friend was looking at the table with Shelly, Lena, and Rachel. Josh smirked. Hell, who can blame the guy? They were a good trio to be watching, even though two were taken and the other one was more like a loveable sister.

Plus, Josh didn’t think Cole dated anyway. It wasn’t like he ever had time, considering the painfully long hours he put in on his job.

“Cole!” Josh shouted out.

He watched as his friend turned slowly on his heel, and then he strode over toward the bar. There wasn’t a smile on Cole’s face, or even a grin, just a serious expression accompanied by a frown.

Mason had left a few minutes ago to go and socialize. Cole came