Mmm. Despite his denials, she knew she’d have him again.
But first, she needed to get hold of Phil. If he didn’t play his role right, everything could tumble back on her. She needed Phil to be the scapegoat.
And she needed Stack to believe it all, one hundred percent.
* * *
LEESE HAD JUST gotten to Rowdy’s bar when the ladies came in. Turning on his bar stool, he admired each of them. Vanity led the group, and tonight she’d ramped up the sex appeal in a low-cut black sweater that hugged her rack and emphasized her tiny waist. The contrast to her fair hair had every guy in the place taking a second, more lingering, look. Worn jeans, fashionably threadbare in tantalizing spots, fit tight enough to her long thighs to be leggings. The edgy heeled boots added an extra couple of inches to her height. In every way imaginable, she was stunning.
Before Stack got so territorial, Leese had considered going after her. But she’d made it clear she wanted Stack, not for the short term but in a happily-ever-after way.
Not his thing. Hell, he was just starting to enjoy life and all the perks of working with a Grade-A camp. By the day he became a better fighter, and in the process he redeemed past mistakes.
He wouldn’t rock the boat by chasing a woman already taken—but he could indulge an occasional fantasy.
Speaking of fantasies, Cherry and Yvette trailed Vanity, both of them very sweet on the eyes. He watched them laughing and chatting as they shed coats and hung purses on the backs of chairs at a round table situated in the corner.
Leese grinned. Hell, they were all worthy of fantasies; Cherry with her lush little body and Yvette with her tempered sex appeal. But he’d never admit it to anyone.
Merissa came in late and joined them at the table. She was taller than the others, and considering she was Cannon’s little sis, as off-limits as a girl could get. There was also something going on between her and Armie, but damned if he could figure it out.
Just then Vanity looked up, and their gazes met. She waved him over.
Leese left the stool and ambled over to them. “Ladies.”
Merissa kicked out a chair. “Join us.”
He probably shouldn’t. “Not sure I fit into this particular tea party.” He glanced around but still didn’t see Cannon, Denver, Armie or Stack.
Cherry made chicken noises. “Be brave, Leese. We’re harmless, I promise.”
“Right. And next you have a bridge to sell me?”
Yvette laughed. “You see, Cherry? He knows you too well.”
Cherry threw a napkin at her friend.
Vanity gave him a long look. “Seriously. Sit and visit.” She grinned. “We’ll behave.”
“And there’s that bridge.” But Leese figured, why not? He spun around the offered chair and straddled it. It wasn’t easy, but he did his best not to stare at Vanity’s cleavage. “Is this a celebration or just a ladies’ night out?”
“The guys are joining us,” Yvette explained. “But they’re running late.”
Okay, then. If only to needle the others, he’d hang around. Leese raised a hand, and a waitress started in their direction. “First round of drinks is on me,” he told them all.
And for that, the ladies cheered him.
* * *
DISGUSTED THAT HIS trip to Whitney’s had been a waste of time, Stack pushed through the doors of Rowdy’s bar. As if they’d just arrived, Cannon and Armie stood off to the side with their jackets open but still on, talking to Denver, who nodded across the room with a scowl. When Stack got closer he followed the direction of their collective gazes—and realized they focused on the women all seated at a table with...Leese.
Staring, Stack watched Leese lean into the table to say something. He couldn’t hear him, not with the noise from the crowded bar, but Vanity and the other ladies all laughed.
Having suffered a lousy day already, Stack bristled. “That’s bullshit.”
Looking like a thundercloud, Denver said, “I know, right?”
“The sly bastard,” Armie agreed with menace.
Cannon laughed at all of them. “Relax. The ladies like him.”
That earned a lot of grunts and grumbles.
Still grinning, Cannon said, “From what I can tell, Leese doesn’t hit on any of them.”
“Oh, he’s hittin’,” Stack said. “He’s just slick about it.”
Cannon slapped him on the back. “Breathing or being cordial doesn’t count. Besides, I trust Leese.” He eyed each of them. “And I trust Yvette.”
Denver rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Same with Cherry.”