Tally leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. “I did. But it gives them the upper hand. You know I can’t allow that.”
A hint of worry entered her friend’s expression. “You’re plotting. Oh hell. Tally, Lucian and Dev are not men you can just mess with at will. They’re more dominant than even Jesse is.”
Tally frowned over at her friend. “Marriage is making you soft,” she accused her archly.
An incredulous laugh burst from Terrie. “Tally, I rather enjoy keeping Jesse comfortably happy. The benefits are incredible. I’m not getting mixed up in one of your schemes.”
Tally smiled over at her confidently. Terrie so loved to play hard-to-get when it came to getting in trouble. “He might spank you harder next time.”
Terrie’s eyes sparked with reluctant interest.
“I bet he’s let up on the punishment side of the benefits.” Tally sighed regretfully. “Men do get so confident after a few months of marital bliss. Why, I bet he thinks you’re so well trained now that he doesn’t have to do more than give you a sweet little love tap here and there, instead of a nice spanking, to remind you of the pleasure.”
Terrie’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “That’s not nice.”
Tally shrugged. “But true. Yes?”
Terrie leaned back in her chair. “You’ve never been married,” she stated. “How do you know?”
Tally arched her brow mockingly. “I’m not exactly a virgin, sweetie. Just because I have an orgasm issue doesn’t mean I don’t know how men work.”
“Orgasm issue, huh?” Terrie said drolly as she played with her coffee cup. She stared down at it for a second and Tally knew she had her.
“So.” Terrie raised her head, anticipation lighting her eyes. “What did you have in mind?”
Tally smiled slowly, confidently. “It’s really a very simple plan,” she assured her. “All I need you to do is help me sneak into The Club tonight.” She ignored the incredulous horror that filled her friend’s eyes. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Oh man, Tally.” Terrie shook her head as amusement suddenly overcame her. “We’re going to go to hell, aren’t we?”
A satisfied grin shaped Tally’s lips in reply. “Well, if we do, we’ll definitely be roommates. Wonder how hard it would be to sneak in the ventilation system?”
Their laughter echoed through the kitchen, a reminder of the nights spent laughing and crying, philosophizing and generally creating mayhem before Terrie’s marriage. Mayhem is in the eye of the beholder, though, Tally thought in satisfaction. Tonight, she would remind Lucian and Devril Conover of just that fact.
Chapter Sixteen
“Are you sure you want to do this, Tally?” Terrie paused at the closet, her hand reaching inside as she looked over her shoulder and met Tally’s gaze.
Tally refused to fidget or to chicken out. This was the rest of her life. It wasn’t a scheme, it wasn’t a game, it wasn’t a titillating little adventure. It was the final break with a past that should have never affected her the way it had.
“I’m sure.” She nodded firmly. She was. Certain.
Until Terrie pulled the clothes from the closet.
Clear plastic protected the garments and hid nothing from the eyes. They were innocent. A simple red plaid skirt that would have ended at Tally’s knees when she was much younger but would rise to mid thigh now. A short sleeved white cotton shirt. A very proper Catholic girl’s school uniform. It struck a chord of fear in her chest so strong that she nearly trembled in the face of it.
It was just clothes, she told herself realistically, but she knew her subconscious saw it as so much more.
Terrie laid the outfit out on the bed. It was over ten years old and should fit in the manner that Tally required. She needed to exorcize the ghosts the good sisters of the academy had placed within her, and what better way to do it than to take this first step into a new life, dressed as the person she had been so long ago?
“It will be shorter,” Terrie warned. “And snugger. But it should fit you okay.”
Tally swallowed tightly. “It will work perfectly.”
She stared at the clothing laid out as though it were a snake, coiled and ready to strike. In many ways it was.
“Tally, you don’t have to do this,” Terrie said. “You know Lucian and Dev love you…”
“This isn’t about Lucian and Dev.” She shook her head slowly, still staring at the innocent articles of clothing. “This is about me. I need white stockings. The ones that go just over the knee,” she told her friend faintly. “Do you have shoes that will work? I don’t dare return to the apartment yet.”