Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Beck frowned. He was concerned about his ex-wife corrupting his sweet little girl, but Seth sounded downright worried. No doubt, he was still struggling with his past, with the fear that if he let Heavenly out of his sight, she would be taken from him.
“Relax, you cavemen.” Gloria waved her hand. “Kenneth, you know I’m not exactly welcome in most respectable nightlife establishments in this town, so we’re celebrating at the apartment.”
He couldn’t argue with her assessment. Still, the private setting didn’t make him feel better. “What exactly are you planning to do?”
“Nothing too crazy. We’ll probably snort some blow, stream some guy-on-guy porn, then have a gang bang with the Chippendales crew. You know, the usual.”
“What?” Seth barked as he stood, looking as if he was about to blow a gasket.
Buddy cackled.
“She’s kidding.” Beck glared at her. “At least she’d better be.”
“Have you completely lost all sense of humor?” Gloria asked. “Of course we’re not doing any of that shit. We’re simply going to have a fun—but tame—party with my girls.”
“You’re not inviting any johns, I hope,” Beck growled.
“Be real.” Gloria bit out. “I already informed all the regulars that none of the girls are working this weekend. We’re going to pop open some champagne, swap a few hooker horror stories, and celebrate my last night as a free woman.”
“So there’s no gang bang?” Seth narrowed his eyes at her.
Gloria sent him one of her patented chiding stares. “Last time I checked, gang bangs are yours and Beck’s department, sugar. Not mine.”
The PI still didn’t look convinced as he turned to Heavenly. “You don’t have to go, angel.”
She stared back as if he’d grown an extra head. “I want to.”
Shit. Like him, Seth had probably hoped Heavenly’s natural shyness and modesty would assert itself. Instead, Beck could all but hear the wheels of Gloria’s mind spinning. He needed to shut this down—fast—before their worries about this ridiculous party ended up ruining the happy couple’s wedding day.
Like Seth is worried about ruining his mother’s?
“Why don’t we talk about this in the morning,” he suggested. “It’s getting late, and it’s been a long day.”
Heavenly frowned back. “I want to go. What’s the problem?”
Shit.
“Have you ever been to a bachelorette party?” Beck tried to sound rational.
“No. But now that I have a chance to, I’m excited.”
“Thirty minutes with your ex-wife, and look what happens to our girl,” Seth groused.
“What can I say?” Gloria shrugged, grinning. “I’m a good influence.”
“She is,” Heavenly defended. “It’s you two I’m not happy with.”
“Why? We simply don’t want you to be subjected to”—Beck eyed Gloria suspiciously—“what might happen.”
“No. Because you don’t trust that I can handle myself when you two aren’t around.” Heavenly sighed. “Now I know what Raine deals with all the time.”
“That’s not true, little girl. We trust you,” Beck assured. “We just know how rowdy those parties can be.”
“In what way?”
“Snorting blow, streaming guy-on-guy porn, then having a gang bang with the Chippendales crew.” Gloria laughed, then shot Beck and Seth a quelling glare. “But that’s not happening.”
“See?” Heavenly shot back. “And what about Buddy’s party?” She whipped her head in the older man’s direction and arched her brows. “What are you boys planning to do with your last night as a single man?”
Buddy blinked as Gloria slapped a hand over her mouth and snickered.
“N-nothing,” her husband-to-be stammered. “We’re just going to play poker here at the house with some of the guys from the union hall.”
“Poker, huh?” Heavenly drawled. “Will there be any ‘ladies’ present?”
Gloria howled with laughter, grinning at their girl with pure pride.
Seeing Heavenly all riled up turned Beck on like a fucking lightbulb. It also made his palm itch to take her over his knee and spank the sassy tone out of her.
“No.” Buddy scowled. “All the ladies will be partying with you and Gloria.”
Heavenly sat back, arms crossed over her chest, casting him and Seth an expectant glance. “See, it’s possible to have a fun but tame party.”
Beck cupped her chin and tilted her head back. “You’ve pled your case beautifully, little girl.”
Seth leaned over and sank his fingers in her hair and fisted it. “Have fun tomorrow night, but not too much fun.”
“And save some for us, because when you get back, we plan to wreck you with more fun than you can handle,” Beck murmured against her lips.
“Speaking of fun, I think we should go upstairs and have some of our own, baby girl,” Buddy growled.
“That’s the best idea you’ve had since last night, big daddy,” Gloria purred.
Beck was exploring Heavenly’s sweet mouth when his ex announced, “Make yourselves at home. If you need anything, Kenneth knows where to find it. Good night.”
“All we need is right here, between us.” Seth’s voice sounded raspy as he moved closer.
As the click of Gloria’s heels faded away, Beck slowly lifted from Heavenly’s lips and savored her dreamy expression. Easing into his arms, he settled her in Seth’s lap. Cooper clutched her close and smiled, pressing a kiss to her mouth.