Sweet Persuasion

CHAPTER 27

Julie climbed out of her car outside of Faith’s apartment and stood there for a long moment before finally starting toward Faith’s door.

She wasn’t used to being such a chicken shit, and she damn sure wasn’t used to lacking in self-confidence. But this whole thing with Nathan had thrown her a serious curveball. Which was why she was going to do something about it. And hopefully Faith could help.

She knocked on the door and stood back, hands shoved in the back pockets of her jeans. The door swung open and Gray stood there looking inquiringly at Julie.

“Uh, hi, is Faith here?”

“Hi, Julie. Sure, come on in,” Gray said as he smiled warmly.

“Sorry to barge in. I would have called but I was close and decided to just stop by,” she said lamely.

“You’re not barging in.” He directed her toward the small living room and then turned his head toward the hallway. “Baby, Julie is here to see you.”

He turned back to Julie. “Can I get you something to drink? I make some mean sun tea.”

Julie nodded. “I’d love some. Thanks.”

“You bet.” He smiled again and headed for the kitchen. He nearly ran into Faith as she came down the hall. “I’m fixing Julie some tea. Want some?”

“Mmmm, yeah, sounds great,” Faith said as she smiled up at Gray.

Julie looked up as Faith walked into the living room and sighed as Faith gave her an inquiring glance.

Faith sat down on the couch next to her and turned so she faced Julie. “Okay, so what’s up? You have one of those looks that scares me.”

Julie smiled weakly. “Actually I’m the one who’s scared shit-less.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Yeah, well, remember what you said about Damon helping you out with your, um, fantasies?”

Faith arched an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”

“And you sent Serena in his direction for her fantasy because he owns this sex club or whatever.”

“Spit it out, Julie. What are you getting at here?”

“Well, I thought maybe he could hook me up. I mean, not personally, because Serena might kick my ass if I made a move on her man, and as hot as he is, he’s not rough enough around the edges for my taste.”

Faith’s lips formed an O.

“But first . . .”

“I don’t like the way you just said that,” Faith said cautiously. “You’re plotting.”

Julie grinned. Faith was no dummy. “First I plan to show Nathan Tucker just what he’s missing. Right before I leave him in my dust and move on to some hot, sweaty, monkey sex, which hopefully Mr. GQ can help out with.”

Gray cleared his throat, and Julie looked up to see him staring at her with amusement.

“I don’t suppose you’ll forget everything you just heard?” Julie asked hopefully.

“Far be it from me to ever refuse a lady anything,” Gray said as he set the glasses of tea on the coffee table. “But I feel compelled to lecture you about that damn sex club.” He stood to his full height and stared sternly at her. “It’s not a place you need to be wandering into.”

Faith smothered a giggle with her hand and rolled her eyes at Julie. “It’s not that bad,” she defended.

Gray glared at Faith. “You’re not ever going back there, so don’t get any ideas about taking Julie. And Julie, I really don’t think it’s a good idea that you involve Damon in any sort of scheme. I’m not saying he isn’t a good guy. He’s been very good to Faith, and for that I’m grateful, but the members of his ‘club’ are another matter. Who the hell knows what you might be walking into.”

“At least he didn’t hear the part about Nathan,” Julie muttered in a low voice to Faith.

Gray grinned. “Oh, I did, but I figure whatever he gets he deserves. Just wish I was a fly on the wall for the occasion.”

Faith shooed him away with her hand. “Leave us to do our girl talking. I promise not to plan a raid on The House without telling you first.”

“You damn well won’t be going whether I know about it or not,” Gray muttered. But he turned and walked back toward the bedroom after another glare in Faith’s direction.

“And this is the guy who agreed to let another man fuck you?” Julie asked in disbelief.

“Julie! For God’s sake keep your voice down,” Faith hissed.

Julie held her hands up. “Just sayin’.”

Faith shook her head. “Okay, so tell me what sort of fantasies you want Damon to help fulfill, and then you can tell me what you have planned for Nathan. And don’t leave a word out.”