Overview
The heroine from New Cougar in Town returns and introduces her best friend to the landscape of irresistible and very interested younger men, starting with her ex-squeeze!
Renee Gafford's libido and marriage is shredded when she finds out that her husband had a gay affair. Jessica, sexy cougar, sharp business woman, and Renee's confidant since college, offers up a sure fire cure—one of her ex-boy toys, Adrian. The hook up does indeed turn steamy and voil..., the sparks reignite. Only one problem.
Renee becomes very attached to the young charmer. Sensing that Jessica and Adrian still have feelings for each other, Renee can't allow herself to be totally swept away by her BFF's former lover. That is unless another young hunk sweetens the game.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780857155559 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Totally Entwined Group |
| Publication date: | 05/23/2011 |
| Series: | The Cougar in Town , #2 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 31 |
| File size: | 125 KB |
| Age Range: | 18 Years |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Renee Gafford tapped on the front door of her girlfriend's house and sighed nervously. Whatever plans Jessie had cooked up would probably crash, knowing Renee's recent luck, but it was the thought that counted. Besides, a few icy margaritas sounded pretty good.
She shoved a mint in her mouth. The porch light flashed her reflection on the glass storm door. She checked her perm for any strays, too much flatness, too much poofiness or foreign objects. Just a little on the flat side thanks to the Pensacola humidity, Renee's hair needed fluffing. She also hung her sandy bangs over her left eye. She did look pretty damn good. Surely some guy out there would at least ogle her. In case that didn't do the trick, she also adjusted her girls. Not many men could resist a peek at her cleavage, ready to burst out of the low-cut dress. At least until their eyes roved off to some stick-figure blonde.
The door creaked open and Jessie Valencia charged out to her and attacked with a larger than life hug. "Oh ... I've missed you so much, girl!"
Jessie's dark curls itched Renee's nose as they embraced. Blowing them off of her cheek, Renee said, "It's great to see you, too."
"Get in here. We've got to get this party started." Jessie locked fingers with her and tugged her through the entryway. Their high heels clicked across the tile. "What are you drinking?"
Renee failed to remember if Jessie could mix a good margarita. If the tequila overpowered the orange liqueur, it resulted in just a plain old horrible drink. She didn't typically nitpick cocktails, but the margarita, in all its complexity, deserved a caring bartender — like a hot-blooded woman deserved a passionate lover. "I'll have some white wine if you've got it."
Air conditioning swept away the clammy feeling on Renee's skin. A Lady Gaga video played on the big-screen HDTV that dominated one wall. The low volume provided a nice rhythm and ambience to chat. A glossy bar with lighted shelves greeted them as they cut around the corner into the living room. "Nice," Renee commented, nodding with pronounced satisfaction.
"Thanks," Jessie said, releasing her grasp. "When I started going out more, I thought I might like to have an appetiser in the quiet of my own place before I hit the scene. It's been great for that and after the clubs close." She whipped around the bar, stopped suddenly and checked out Renee from head to toe. "You ... look ... so ... hot."
Renee felt heat in her cheeks and rolled her eyes. "You don't have to do that, Jessie."
"No, I mean it." Jessie was scoping her out almost like a desperate guy would have.
"Well, thanks." Renee couldn't help but notice Jessie had it going on also. They'd always had similar builds. After eight years without seeing each other, Renee was encouraged to find Jessie had curved out a little, like she had. And Jessie was apparently scoring a lot of men with her voluptuous breasts and hips — not to mention that exotic olive skin. The tight black dress she wore damn near begged to be yanked off of her. "I like what you've done too. In fact, I think you've gotten sexier the last few years. God, how did we get so disconnected? Just because we moved? And look where that got me."
Jessie shot her a scolding look. "None of that negative talk tonight. It wasn't your fault."
Renee found a plump spot on the couch, set her bag down on the coffee table and crossed her legs. "I just still can't believe it."
Out came a bottle of wine from the refrigerator behind the bar. Jessie glanced at her as she prepared glasses. "Renee, have you talked to anybody about it?" "Like a therapist? Please."
"No. Just a BFF or somebody close."
"You're my BFF, Jessie. I just got so driven with the job up in Atlanta I didn't really have time to cultivate meaningful friendships."
"My bad, then. Maybe we should talk. Lay it on me."
"Eh." Renee winced.
"Come on," Jessie cajoled, thumping the cork out of the bottle. "Get it off your chest. Don't want you to be on a downer all night. How did you find out?"
Renee sighed. "I caught them at his office Christmas party."
"Ouch."
"Yeah, I know."
The Riesling gurgled into the glasses. Jessie picked them up and stirred the bouquet as she made her way over to serve the drinks. "I can't imagine."
Renee leaned her head to one side and gave her a scowl. "Come on, Jesse. It was nothing compared to what you went through." She adjusted her expression to sympathy. "I should have been here for you."
Jessie handed her a glass and waved away Renee's guilt-laden comment. "First of all, Nick's passing was entirely different from your divorce. Yes, I was" — she shook her head as if searching for the right word — "in a very dark place for a while. But we all have to go sometime whether we like it or not. I thought it was unfair ... still do on occasion, but ... but I think it was just unexpected. You didn't really want to move to Atlanta, but you stood by Tony. What he did could have been avoided. If he knew, why did he marry you?"
"He said he thought it would help him to change. He wanted kids. Yada yada. And it's not like I'm really mad at him."
"Uh-uh, girl. Don't let his preference blind you to his infidelity. Just because he's gay, doesn't mean it's okay to sneak around." Jessie sunk down in the cushion beside her. "He's still a shit ... which takes me back to what I was going to say." She sipped some Zinfandel. "I haven't been in your shoes, but I think ... it would have been easier to ... accept another woman." She spoke faster and touched Renee's shoulder. "Like I said, I don't know, but I figure this just had to shatter you. Correct me if I'm wrong."
Renee shrugged. "It's like I don't know who to blame."
Jessie threw her head back. "You didn't just say that, did you? Tony is to blame." She leant back and levelled a stare at her. "I'm not judging his —"
"But I always knew he was a little fem."
An emphatic head-shake from Jessie. "Doesn't matter. This is about honesty. And he didn't own up."
"I know. I know." A splash of wine on Renee's palate gave her goosebumps. So fruity and cool.
"That didn't sound very convincing." She clicked her tongue. "Yep. I knew somebody who went through the same thing you're experiencing. Her sexual confidence was destroyed."
"Oh, I'm fine."
"Really? When was the last time you got laid?"
Renee gawked at Jessie, failing to remember. "Well ... it's not that easy to date —"
"I didn't say date. I said get laid. Nowadays, we got all kinds of ways to hook up. What are you waiting for?"
Renee's jaw dropped. Several blinks later, she finally said, "I never got around, Jessie."
"I know, Renee. You got play from men, though, in spite of being very selective. Are you flirting with anyone?"
Drawing a blank, Renee just sat there.
Jessie went on, "See, I put it that way because I know men still find you attractive, but you're not noticing. And it's probably because you don't feel sexy. The divorce wasn't your fault. I guarantee you can get some."
Renee forced a smile. "I suppose. It's not like we're in our thirties anymore, though, Jess."
With a roll of her eyes, Jessie nodded as if she had it all figured out. "After I got out of my depression, I had a bud who helped me break my dry spell. That's what you need."
"We'll just see what happens. I don't mean to be a buzz-kill, but I'm not going to put any expectations on our night out. Let's just do some catching up."
A sly grin persisted on Jessie's lips. She took a swig of her wine, stuck a finger up and gulped. "Be back in a minute." She traipsed out of the room.
Puzzled, Renee leant forwards to try to peek down the hall where Jessie had retreated. Hopefully, Jessie hadn't bought her a gift. Renee wouldn't know how in the world to reciprocate, being empty-handed.
After a few more sips of wine, Renee browsed the room, thinking about Jessie's furniture business. She and her husband had started it fifteen years ago after they all got out of college, growing it into a chain that dotted most of Florida. On that, Renee thought about Jessie's tangent job as spokesperson for the store. Even though Jessie was a cutie, her notoriety undoubtedly attracted men as well. Renee didn't have that going for her. Just an IT geek.
A movement in her peripheral vision caused Renee to do a double-take. Her first impression suggested lots of flesh. A pasty apparition. But when her eyes locked on to the figure that now joined her in the room, she realised it was indeed a very white body. A naked man cruised across the room and over to the bar.
Renee froze. Not that she was all that animated anyway.
The guy grinned at her. "How ya doing?"
She felt like she should be averting her eyes, but she couldn't prise her attention from his gorgeous body. The overhead lights in the bar shone on his wet brunet mop that was combed slick against his scalp. His taut abdomen muscles bulged as he twisted towards the refrigerator to grab a beer. He cranked the beer bottle open and swigged it while making his way back across the floor. Renee tried not to look at his package, but it was like trying not to notice ice in a drink. His cock stood semi-erect. And damn mouth-watering. Then the naked guy slipped down the hall where Jessie had ventured.
Whoa.
Renee ran her fingers through her hair and took a big gulp of wine. She first wondered if she'd interrupted Jessie's evening. But Jessie had invited her over there. She wouldn't be that rude to invite anyone and not be the perfect host. Heat returned to Renee's cheeks when she thought about Jessie's son. That couldn't have been him. Could it? He looked to be about the same age. Suddenly mortified, Renee tried to erase the images of his hard body from her memory.
Jessie made another grand entrance. Her grin had amplified from sly to mega sneaky. "So, what did you think?" She stood over her, holding her glass almost to her lips, the other hand hanging bent at the wrist limply, as if this were no big deal.
"I think I just saw a streaker."
Jessie laughed and batted at her shoulder. "That's all you have to say?"
"Well, it's not like I'm used to something like that."
"I know. That's why I wanted to wake you up."
Renee's head craned forwards as if she'd been whiplashed from behind. "You ... sent him in here like that?"
"Do you disapprove?"
Jessie'd got her there. Once more, Renee stumbled around in her mind for a comeback. Nothing.
"That's Adrian. We dated for about a year." Jessie lowered on to the couch again.
A sigh — or a gasp, really — escaped Renee. At least it wasn't her son. Now all she had to do was come back to Earth. She chuckled lightly and it served as a balance between relief and nervousness. "Wow. I mean, wow. He's pretty young, right?"
"Twenty-three."
"So, if you used to date ... why is he ...?"
"I asked him to come over. You still haven't told me what you think of him."
Still trying to make her way back to normal thoughts, Renee shook her head. "He's amazing." When the hush swelled between them, she asked, "Am I missing something here?"
Jessie said, "He's an art lover, a dancer, a runner. In another year, he'll have a degree in chemistry. He doesn't sleep around. You couldn't find a sweeter guy to hook up with."
"Hook up?"
"Duh," Jessie proclaimed. "You see? You're so bogged down with funk that it didn't occur to you I'm playing matchmaker."
"I thought we were going to some clubs."
"We will. But why turn down a sure thing?"
Renee set her glass on the coffee table, stood and began pacing. Her hands grasped her hips. "I don't know. I really don't, Jessie."
"He thinks you're hot."
Heat rushed through Renee's neck. She skipped a breath. "Really?"
Jessie nodded in broad sweeps and put her glass down.
"Did he break up with you? What's he doing ... just standing around in the hall over there waiting for me to strip?"
"Do what you want, Renee. There's no hurry. Have some wine." Jessie leant forwards, folded her hands and planted her elbows on her knees. "You know how sometimes you'd just like to get fucked, but you want it to be a guy who actually looks good and won't be an ass about it later? That's Adrian. Yeah, girl, you could pull some men at the bar tonight, but the chances of one of them being as nice as Adrian is next to nil."
Renee mulled that over.
Jessie went on, "I broke up with him. Even when we were seeing each other, I knew he'd want to start a family someday even though I'm past that. And he figures that's in his future too. But we were both in a good place to have some fun. I just felt after a year it was a good idea to move on. We're still good friends. And he could be a great friend to you tonight."
"This all just seems too easy."
"That's because you're making it hard. I used to do that too. Your challenge is way tougher than mine was, though. Renee, you are beautiful. Adrian will show you how much."
The thought of that young buck on her made her sweat. She staggered to a halt. How could she say no? On the other hand, she couldn't make her mouth utter the word yes.
Jessie added, "I'd say we could chat a while, but I think you'd be totally distracted. You might as well go ahead and fuck him." She said it emphatically with grit in her voice.
The challenge turned Renee on. It finally sunk in that Jessie was serious. She really wanted her to get her 'clock cleaned'. Renee's heart rate thumped faster. She felt alive. She felt like she used to back when she dated and knew she would be taking a man to bed. With a nod, she let Jessie know she was okay with it.
Jessie beamed. "Cool. I'm going to duck out. You just make yourself at home. I'll be in my bedroom." She swooped up her glass and sashayed down the hall.
Would Adrian come out naked again? It didn't even dawn on Renee to ask. The question almost blurted out of her mouth, but that wouldn't be too smooth if Adrian appeared at the same time. She wasn't sure if his arrival in the nude would be good or bad. Of course she wanted to salivate over his physique again, but it didn't have to happen immediately. And how was she supposed to look? Kick her shoes off? Climb out of her dress? She wished she'd thought to ask Jessie, but her brain was locked on Adrian's erection. The thought crossed her mind to go check her look in the bathroom mirror. But would it be awkward to pass Adrian if he were heading this way?
The bar had a mirror behind the liquor shelf. She wavered around until she could see her reflection between the bottles. Her perm looked good. The candy-apple red lipstick blazed neatly on her mouth. She became aware she had nothing to do with her hands. Renee tiptoed back to the coffee table and reclaimed her wine.
Just in time too. Adrian swaggered back into the living room. Yes, naked.
Again, her eyes slid right down to his prominent arousal. It caused her to think of ladies always complaining about men who looked at their chests before making eye contact. Then again, it wasn't like he tried to cover it.
He said, "It's nice to finally meet you, Renee."
A handshake seemed out of the question. However, his posture was one of a person fully clothed. His hunky arms were relaxed. The beer he'd snagged a few minutes before hung from his right hand.
She said, "Uh ... yeah. Back at ya. It's a peculiar acquaintance, I think, but enjoyable nonetheless." This was what it must have felt like to visit a nudist colony.
Adrian smiled really wide. It was adorable and it made her feel like the ice was breaking at an accelerated speed.
Still nervous as hell, though, she had to say something quirky. "Are you always at ... attention?"
He laughed with a deep hearty voice. "No, uh ..." His smile took on a shy gleam. He pointed at his erection. "This was actually Jessie's idea. She ... uh, got me all worked up talking about you."
Hot.
"Okay," she said in a moving-right-along tone. "I just need to ... find some way to ..." She moved her arms as if peddling a wheel. "Get in sync ... or catch up with you."
Adrian moved closer. Renee though she might whimper. He said, "Just look at me as a male stripper. But out of all the women I flaunt it for you're the one I want to be with."
Renee swallowed hard. She'd never even been to a male stripper revue before, but she had a feeling this blew them out of the water.
Adrian tossed back the last little bit of his beer and got rid of the bottle. He then settled on the couch and clutched his cock down by the balls. "Look at it throbbing, waiting to feel you."
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Another Cougar in Town"
by .
Copyright © 2011 E. Cameron Stacy.
Excerpted by permission of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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