Forrest, Dawn - Sweet Water Wedding: Sharing Shannon (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (16 page)

Lust and trust. He liked that.

James shrugged. “We weren’t looking for anything other than a good time before to be honest; this is new for us.” He smiled and turned to her. “You remember when I talked about what my parents had, the other day on the hill? You were skeptical, and yet you have just mentioned the very things that make it possible.”

* * * *

Shannon had to remind herself yet again that James really was very smart, still his words were reassuring.

“You’re sneaky.” She grinned. “Remind me not to get into any strategy board games with you. Come on, let’s get those groceries.”

For the rest of the journey into town they talked a little about themselves and Shannon almost forgot that James must have a hidden agenda for taking her with him.

“We only really need some fresh bread, snacks, and a few beers.” James said as he drove the big SUV into the crowded parking lot. “I forgot that it gets busy on a Saturday.”

He again managed to get around to her side of the vehicle and open the door before she’d even got her hand on the handle. When he helped her out with a hand on her arm she almost shivered at the contact.

“Grab a trolley, I’ll push if you pick,” she quickly suggested. “Let’s get this over with as fast as possible. I hate crowded shops.”

“Me, too, but I’ll push. Let’s grab and go.”

It wasn’t going to be that simple though. Almost as soon as they entered the store Shannon noticed that there was something odd about the way James had looked at a pretty dark haired woman that suggested he wanted to avoid contact. She wondered if it was an old flame. He quickly executed a nifty one hundred and eighty degree wheelie maneuver and veered off to the left down a different aisle. Unfortunately it sent him directly in the path of a good-looking blonde wearing a very tight T-shirt, and a bra one size too small that pushed up her weapons of mass distraction.

“Oh, hi, James, I was hoping to see ya. How’s it goin’?” She gave him a salacious smile while chewing gum and dismissively ran her eyes over Shannon, then ignored her completely. “I was wonderin’ when we could get together
again
.”

Shannon was left in no doubt that the last word was emphasized for her benefit.

“Hi, Shirley, it’s been a while,” James greeted her warily. “I’m in a bit of a rush right now, can’t talk.” He surprised and irritated Shannon by putting his arm around her and steering her away.

Shirley snagged him by his other wrist. “Are you gonna call me, James, because I’m free tonight?” She gave him a practiced sultry look.

Shannon couldn’t ever imagine being so persistent with a guy who clearly wasn’t interested. She could only surmise that James must be brilliant in bed.

“No, Shirley, I’ve already told you.” James spoke quietly and gently but firmly.

The blonde turned her attention to Shannon, her mouth smiling but her eyes cold with dislike. “What interestin’ hair, just like a gorilla I saw the other night on Animal Planet.”

Shannon felt James stiffen, but she ignored him and turned to the woman. “Really? I think you mean an orangutan don’t you?” Shannon could do patronizing very well when she wanted to. “Coincidentally, I was watching the Discovery Channel not too long ago and you’ll be happy to know that scientists have found a way to create artificial intelligence. They get a dumb blonde and dye her hair red. Absolutely fabulous to meet you, Shirley, take care now.” She grabbed James and waltzed off down the aisle, leaving the blonde speechless and gaping like a fish.

“Oh, darlin’, you’re gonna be a lot of fun.” James chuckled under his breath.

Yeah, fun for him all right, but not exactly a bag of laughs for her. She was astonished at the proprietary way she’d reacted, dragging him away with her from Shirley. What business was it of hers if another woman was interested in him? Shannon was aware of the constant female attention James received. It was annoying but also a warning of what it would be like to be in relationship with him; forever looking over her shoulder, contending with old lovers and fending off wannabe girlfriends, worrying what he was getting up to when she was away. Who needed that? Who needed that times two? She suspected that Luke would have the same effect. No, the very most she should get into is a two week “shag and go” relationship.

Once they were out of the store, James packed the bags in the back of the SUV while Shannon quickly took the opportunity to get into the passenger side unassisted. It wasn’t easy.

“I’m sorry about all that,” he said as they pulled out of the parking lot.

“Why, it’s not your fault and it’s really has nothing to do with me.”

James nodded but looked distracted and awkward.

“Are we going back a different way?” Shannon had observed that they were heading out of town in a different direction. With concern she noted that he was gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Are you okay, James?”

“Yeah, fine. I just want you to meet someone before we go back to the ranch.” He sounded unusually subdued.

Oh, Lord, this is it; he’s taking me to see Luke. Rachael was right.
She sat quietly as they turned down a private tree lined track into the driveway of a pleasant, modest, white timber house.

“This is lovely, who lives here?”

She thought that she already knew the answer.

“My best friend and partner.”

Shannon’s heart rate rocketed and, damn it all, her cheeks took on a rosy hue. Yet again James managed to open the car door for her but this time he swept her up and held her close to his body.

“I just want you to know, Shannon, that I’d never mess you around or intentionally hurt you.”

She looked at him and believed that he meant what he said. Whether he’d still mean those words days or weeks later was debatable. Still, she wouldn’t be denied her little bit of fun. He carried her around the car and set her down before the front door. Through the side glass panel Shannon noticed movement in the house.

“Wait!” she said loudly. “I want to be honest with you, James. I met a man two days ago while I was at the conference and I was intimate with him.”

He smiled down at her indulgently. “That’s okay, babe, it’s really not a problem.”

“Yes I know but I wanted to tell you about it. There is absolutely nothing for you to be concerned about, because it meant
nothing
.”

“What?”

“Well, I had an okay time but nothing to rave about. His name was Luke...er I can’t remember his surname but ‘Warm’ would be appropriate. Mr. Luke Warm because he wasn’t exactly stimulating company,” she simulated a yawn, “and didn’t get any better in the sack. I guess I can excuse his less than impressive equipment, but there is really no excuse for poor technique.” She was on a roll and enjoying her Oscar deserving performance.

“What?” James looked shocked and mystified.

“I know, it’s unfair to compare but the description heavy hung doesn’t spring to mind.” She raised her hand and wriggled her pinky.

“W–What?”

It was all Shannon could do to keep a straight face because James looked like a man grappling with disbelief and a plan that was failing fast. Shannon thought that she also heard a sharp intake of breath from behind the door, so she forged on, wondering how long it would take to get a reaction.

“They say, ‘it’s not the size of the sea but the motion of the ocean,’ right? But I have to tell you, I was tired yesterday because I was up half the night faking orgasms.”

“Now that just not true!” a voice bellowed as the door swung inward with such force that it made a loud bang as it hit the wall.

Luke stood on the threshold with fury and embarrassment warring for first place on his face. Shannon stood with her hands on her hips feeling very smug indeed.

“Well, hello, Luke McKay, fancy meeting you here.” She could also do sarcasm very well.

“Crap,” a voice groaned behind her.

“Shannon,” was all that Luke seemed able to say when they made eye contact.

Shannon could sense his righteous anger diffuse away like smoke on a breeze. When he looked at her that way she felt herself relax. She couldn’t help it, she began to giggle, because he looked so cute standing there with that stunned and offended yet gentle expression. Her shoulders shook and it was like a pressure valve had been released. She started to gasp for breath and leaned forward clutching her belly.

“Oh, God, see what you’ve done, you’ve upset her, you idiot!” James shouted, clearly panicking at her breakdown before his eyes.

Luke stared at her and slowly a huge smile encompassed his face and a deep baritone laugh escaped from his lips. It only took James a second to catch up, and Shannon’s laughter was infectious.

“Oh, the look on your two faces has got to be the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long while,” Shannon explained, wiping her cheeks with the back of her sleeve. “Anyone got a tissue?”

“Come in, there’s a box on the coffee table.” Luke grinned, standing aside as Shannon walked into a clean tidy living room. She snaffled a few tissues from a box, dabbed her eyes, and blew her nose as delicately as she could. When she turned around she noticed that the guys stood between her and the door that Luke had just shut. She sobered up immediately realizing that she was trapped in their territory, but they just looked relieved.

“When did you know?” James groaned frowning lightly.

“Last night. You must think that I’m an idiot or that Rachael and I aren’t best buddies if you thought it wouldn’t come out.”

Luke stepped forward. “I am very glad to see you again, Shannon. You left without saying goodbye.”

Uh-oh, here goes
. She began to feel the by now familiar sexual tension curling around them, looking for a weakness through her defenses. Her eyes met his, and the depth of emotion she found threatened to drown all of her common sense and caution.

Holding his gaze she softly explained, “I had a flight to catch and you were out of it when I left. I couldn’t bring myself to disturb you. I hoped you’d call.”

“Honey, you disturbed me anyway,” Luke chided. “By cutting out so early you didn’t give me an opportunity to tell you about James and our lifestyle choice. I’m sorry that I didn’t mention it sooner, but to be honest I was stunned. I couldn’t believe my luck but I didn’t know what to say, how to break it to you.” He looked pensive, as if expecting her to fly off the handle.

“I think I understand.”

“You do?” both men uttered in surprise.

“Yes, despite my red hair I’m not a drama queen or unreasonable.”

“Shannon,” Luke started to move even closer but she put her hands up to block him. “What’s the matter?”

“Two days ago you were one thing, now you’re another. I have to get my head around it.”

“Two days ago I was a one-night stand, now I’m not.” Luke put a slightly different interpretation on her words.

“You know I’m talking about this two for one deal, and anyway you still are.”

“Not for long, sweetheart.” Luke had regained all composure.

Hairs prickled on the back of her neck and she knew that James was close behind her. How the heck he had moved there without her seeing him, she didn’t know, but now she sensed his presence, heard his breathing, and then felt the physical touch of his body against hers.

“Don’t fight it,” he said, his warm breath tickling her ear.

She instinctively titled her head, allowing him better access to her skin. She sighed at the sheer pleasure of his light lingering kisses along her neck and gentle hands caressing along the top of her arms and shoulders. Luke’s eyes were locked on hers and her breath hitched at the brazen raw desire she saw in his expression. It should have shocked her, should have shook her out of her reverie, but instead it fed her desire, looped back the lust, short-circuiting her brain. He held her with that deep, penetrating gaze that so captivated her two nights ago and moved closer, his body heat tangible as he brushed up against her breasts. Slowly he stroked his hand down her body to her waist while the other gently titled her chin as his lips found hers.