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Electronic Release: March 2015

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

Annie has had enough of being a good girl. All being good has gotten her is a good-for-nothing husband, except, as she later found out, he wasn’t her husband at all. Tonight, she’d have some fun. Tonight, she’d do something crazy, something no one would suspect of Annie the town’s good girl.

Grady watched her come toward him. The moment he touched her he knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her, no pleasure he wouldn’t grant her. He’d loved her since they were kids. Tonight she’d find out just how far he’d go to show it.

To my family. Proud of what you’ve become. Love every one of you.

Chapter One

Annie Hempstead O’Reilly pushed open the bar door and stepped into the huge, barnlike establishment. The place was filled with loud laughter and even louder music. It smelled of stale beer, perfume, aftershave and barbeque ribs.

She looked over the crowd, her gaze lingering on the long line of cowboys leaning their backs against the bar, watching the dancers. A few had turned to watch her. Perfect. They were just what a girl needed.

It had taken a month before she could bring herself to face the folks of this town. Now that she’d finally left her home, she’d done it with purpose. Tonight, her intent was to pick a man and use him purely for her own satisfaction. If she had herself more than one, all the better. The way she felt, she just might fuck every cowboy in this place.

It had been four weeks since the police had escorted Charlie from her home. Weeks since he’d confessed he’d used her to gain his position in her father’s firm. She’d spent a month of hiding in the dark, mortified she’d been such a fool and embarrassed to show her face in public.

Annie allowed satisfied smile. Trouble was: a rash moment of guilt had ruined Charlie. Hours after his confession, he was looking for a job. With her father’s influence, he wouldn’t find one in this town, perhaps not even in this state. He deserved what he got, and she was hardly the Christian she’d once believed herself to be because she’d love watching him get it.

Now, tonight, it was time for her. Tonight, just this one time, she’d break free of her goody-two-shoes mold and do something thoroughly refreshing and utterly un-Annie-like.

She’d never been with another man, but she was about to change that, starting tonight. This wasn’t payback. She didn’t care enough about Charlie to hurt him. He was out of her life forever, and there was no time like the present to start living again. Her wants were simple. She breathed a sigh, her smile dangerous. She was going to love every second of filling her needs.

She walked toward the two cowboys she knew. She nodded at Matt, but asked, “How you doin’, Grady?” as she deliberately…slowly…
seductively
leaned full-length into the taller of the two. “How about a dance?”

Obviously surprised, he widened his gaze a bit but didn’t say a word. A second later, with his arm at her waist, he swept her onto the dance floor. He held her, a little closer than he should have. She loved it. The man had never felt harder, never smelled cleaner. How could she have forgotten the thrill of being in his arms?

“What are you doing here? Where’s Charlie?” he asked.

“Charlie who?” she returned with a slow, wicked grin. She felt free for the first time in years, as if a weight of lies had finally been taken from her. “How long have you known?”

He looked at her for a long moment before he shrugged. “What are we talking about exactly?”

She didn’t answer the question but said instead, “From day one he lied to me. You know, the longer I think about it, the more amazed I am. It takes a special kind of person to marry two women and keep one completely secret. How do you figure he managed it?”

“He managed it because she lived just over the border in Oklahoma and everyone in this town loves you. No one wanted to see you hurt.”

“They’re not going to love me after tonight.”

“Why? You’re not planning on killin’ him, are you?”

She managed a slight shrug. “I don’t care if he lives or dies, but if I ever go to jail it won’t be for a creep like him.”

“Good,” he said in obvious relief, as he tugged her just a little closer. “So what are you going to do?”

“I’m about to break out of my ‘Oh, the girl is just so sweet, isn’t she?’ mode.”

He grinned.

“And you’re in luck since you’re the first guy I saw when I walked in here.”

“In luck? How?” he asked, obviously wary.

“How long have you wanted to go to bed with me?”

His gaze widened with interest, as he said very softly, in a low tone, “Since we were fifteen.”

“Well, tonight’s your chance. I need a man as the song goes. Actually, tonight, since it’s my first time, I’m treating myself to two.”

“Two? At one time?” he asked, clearly taken aback. He brought her closer, and blinked in obvious surprise.

There was no way she couldn’t notice his erection. God, he was enormous. She brushed her stomach against it then snuggled her face into his throat. She laughed. “Never suspected sweet little Annie would think of things like that, did you? Yes, two at one time. God, I forgot you smelled this good.”

“You know I could make you forget the thought of any other man if you gave me the chance.”

She smiled. “I think you could. But, just this once, I want it this way.”

“You got somebody particular in mind?”

She shook her head in the negative. “I was hoping you could help a girl out. Do you know anyone who might be interested?”

He backed up, just enough to study her face. “Jesus, Annie, I don’t know a man who wouldn’t be interested.”

“Good, pick one for me.”

“I’m not sure about this. We’ve been friends since we were kids. I don’t want you hating me after it’s over.”

She looked up and grinned as her finger tapped his lip. “I could never hate you.”

“Yeah, that’s easy to say now, but how will you feel later?”

She laughed, the sound knowing, low and silky. “Later, with my ego on its way to healing, I expect to feel a damn sight better.”

“So you’re lookin’ for a little revenge, is that it? You want to shove it in his face?”

She shook her head. “We’re not together. I’m surprised you haven’t heard. He’s been out for a month. I won’t be seeing him—hopefully not ever—unless he dares to show his face in court. Being a bigamist, it’s a likely bet he won’t. No, tonight is only for me. For all the years I’ve turned down invitations because good girls like me didn’t cheat… For the years of fun I’ve missed… The years spent staying home waiting for him like a sweet little wife, not knowing I wasn’t even legally his… For all the times I waited for my lying husband, who as it turns out
wasn’t
my husband, to return from fucking God knows how many women… For all the years of rumors…” She breathed a deep sigh. “I can’t tell you how good of a liar he was. He swore people were just jealous.” She brightened some as she look into Grady’s dark, steady gaze. “No, tonight is just for me.”

Grady grinned. “How’d you find out?”

“He came home drunk and had a momentary flash of guilt. I suppose that was it.” She shrugged, unconcerned. “In any case, it wasn’t more than a few minutes before I knew all about the women, the extra wife, the lies and deceit.”

They said nothing for a long moment before he asked, “What about Doug? What do you think?”

“I think you’re a gorgeous man. I was out of my mind not to sleep with you every chance I got,” she said as she reached up and kissed him on the lips. Their lips had barely come together when she pushed her tongue into his mouth. Both of them moaned as she greedily sucked at his juices.

She pulled away, gasping. “You taste good.”

With a slow shake of his head, he added, “You taste better.” Bringing her with him, he left the dance floor. “Let me find Doug, and we’ll get out of here.” He unclipped the keys from his belt and handed them to her. “Go sit in my truck. I’ll be right there.”

“You trying to hurry me out of here?”

He laughed. “Maybe. There’s no tellin’ how many more men you might choose if I don’t make this quick.”

She laughed and left him while he searched for his friend.

* * * *

“Listen to me,” Grady said to the young man at his side. “She’s in pretty bad shape. I’ve known her since we were kids, and what she’s askin’ isn’t anything like her.”

Doug’s gaze was on some petite blonde who smiled at him as she moved with the line of dancers. Almost absent-mindedly he asked, “Yeah? So what’s she askin?”

“She wants to sleep with the two of us.”

“What?” he asked in disbelief. Doug turned to face his friend. “Annie?” He obviously needed to clarify what Grady had said.“Are you sure you heard right?”

“I heard right,” Grady said with a nod. “I told you about the jerk she married. Well, she finally found out the truth.”

“What? That he has another wife?”

“Yep, and all the other women,” he said with a shrug. “In any case, you can imagine she’s a bit upset, though she won’t admit it. This is payback, ‘cept she won’t admit that either. If we don’t help her out, who knows what she might do or what kind of jerk she might take up with. I don’t want to see her hurt.”

“Fine,” Doug said as he licked his lips in obvious anticipation.

Grady nodded. “Remember what I said.” His voice deepened with clear warning. “She’s not going to get hurt.”

“I know. Don’t worry. I’ll keep my mouth shut. The dumb bastard’s done us a favor.”

Grady nodded. “That he has; ‘cept I think tonight is the only time it’s going to happen.”

“Why?”

“Because I know her. She’s a lot more upset than she’ll say right now, but tomorrow, don’t be surprised if she’s embarrassed. If she is, just make yourself scarce. Trying to talk to her will only make it worse.”

“So what does that mean? She’s going to hate me forever?”

“No. She won’t hate you, and eventually, she’ll get over being embarrassed.” He sighed, thinking about the situation and what he knew of Annie, which was a lot since he’d known her—and wanted her—for so long. “Just pick up on her moods. They’re easy enough to read, and if she changes her mind, even if it’s at the last minute, get the hell out. You got that?”

“Got it.”

Chapter Two

They sat in Grady’s truck while Doug ran in to the liquor store. “I told you, you didn’t need to do this,” Annie protested. “I have all the alcohol you can drink at my place. Is it still Red Stag?”

He didn’t respond to her question but instead insisted, “I’m doing it. Tonight is special. We need to celebrate your new beginning, and I think I can splurge on a good bottle of champagne.”

Annie laughed. “Remember what happened the last time I drank champagne?”

He nodded and allowed a soft sigh, as he clearly remembered. He half-turned toward her, his arm on the back of her seat, brushed her neck. “My sister’s wedding. That time, we almost went to bed.” He grinned. “This time, we will.”

She smiled. “I mean, I got sick.”

“You got sick because you were a kid and drank too much.”

“What did you tell him?” she asked, nodded toward the store Doug had just entered. “He looks like he’s afraid of me.”

“Probably he is, a little. I just told him to be careful. That I don’t want to see you hurt.”

She allowed a soft laugh. “So it’s not me he’s afraid of; it’s you.”

BOOK: For Her Pleasure

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