Tempting the Best Man - By J. Lynn Page 0,14

“Yes.”

Lissa’s gaze slid to her. “You look really nice tonight.”

“Really?” She plucked at the sleeveless, gauzy blue dress that ended just below her thighs. It was a dark cobalt blue, but it had nothing on… She shook her head. So not going there. “Thank you.”

A loud manly roar rose from where her father stood. Madison turned and her breath got stuck in her throat. Chase had arrived.

Madison glanced down at her empty glass and groaned under her breath.

Lissa nudged her. “He’s something else, isn’t he?”

She raised an eyebrow and muttered, “Something, all right.”

Mistaking her comment as pleasant, Lissa went on. “Mitch told me how the three of you were the closest out of the Gamble brothers. I can’t believe any of them are single. Each of them is so successful and handsome.” Her smile turned sly. “Your mother said you had a crush on Chase growing up.”

“Did she?” Madison desperately started searching for the waiter she’d seen earlier carrying a tray full of wineglasses.

Lissa nodded. “As soon as he heard your car was broken down, he raced off to rescue you.” She giggled, and Madison wanted to punch something. “He hadn’t even been here for five minutes. It was all very sweet.”

Like before, she refused to read too much into his motivations. Then she spied the crisp white shirt of the server. Bingo!

“Have you ever considered…?”

Madison turned hot and then cold. “Considered what?”

“You know, being more than friends with Chase? I know you two have known each other since forever, but some of the best loves are those that start as friends. Take Mitch and me, for example. We were friends in the beginning.”

Oh, sweet baby Jesus. Madison started waving her arm at the waiter like a madwoman.

“Thirsty?” Lissa asked, grinning.

“Very.” She snatched a glass off the tray with a quick thank-you and a smile, and then considered grabbing two if this conversation was heading where it seemed to be.

Lissa’s eyes twinkled. “And since you two are staying together here, there’ll never be a better time to explore other possibilities than in such a romantic place.”

Aw, what the hell. Madison grabbed another glass before the waiter escaped. She was going to need it.

Chapter Four

Chase was having one hell of a time listening to what his brothers and Mitch were talking about. Something about the wedding night and performance anxiety. What the hell did his brothers know about the first night as husband and wife? They had just as much experience as Mitch did.

His middle brother, Chad, had finally shown up and after Mitch’s father had gone to claim his woman for the evening, he started giving pointers.

“Did you shave your boys?” Chad asked, holding a can of beer while everyone else had wine.

“What?” Mitch laughed.

“Shave the boys.” Chad grinned. “The ladies love it when they’re all smooth.”

There was no doubt in his mind that Chad knew exactly what the ladies loved. Everyone in DC believed Chase was the man-whore of the clan, but in reality, it was Chad.

“I really don’t want to talk about my balls with you,” Mitch said. “Not now. Not ever.”

Chase snickered. “Thank God.”

“You’ll be sorry if you don’t.” Chad smiled that shit-eating grin of his. “You should also bring in some toys. That will…”

Chase zoned his brother out at that point. He wouldn’t be surprised if Chad already had Mitch’s honeymoon cabin decked out with all kinds of perverse things just for the fun of it.

Leaning against the railing, Chase took in the group around him. Most had already left, including Mitch and Lissa’s parents. The younger crowd was still up, though—the type of people who’d be at one of his clubs.

His skin itched. He hated being away for days without the ability to make sure things were running smoothly. His managers were on the up and up, more than able to keep the wheels churning, but even though it would be a slow night, he was having a hell of a time fighting the urge to call and check in every five seconds.

He was also having a hell of a time not thinking about what went down in that God-awful cabin. Fuck. What in the hell had he been thinking? Kissing Maddie—again? He glanced at Mitch and could almost feel his balls being castrated. And he’d deserve it. With his reputation, Chase was sure that Mitch wouldn’t be too pleased to know Chase had molested his sister. Though Mitch had never outright condemned the idea—hell, several times he’d actually suggested Chase and Maddie get together—there