Take Me Home: Home is Where the Heat Is, Book 3 by Candi Wall Read Free Book Online Page B

champagne.
    Shawna clinked her glass to Chloe’s before taking a sip. “I’m not really sure what it was that triggered this reaction.”
    “Well, whatever it was, it worked.” Chloe was cat-in-the-cream happy.
    Ian Malcolm toppled into them from behind, throwing his arms over each of their shoulders. “My favorite girls, all dressed up and standing in the shadows like wallflowers. What gives?”
    “Like you don’t know.” Shawna turned and smiled up at him. Ian was one of her favorite people. “Watching our newest chick fly from the nest is gratifying.”
    “That’s why I’m here. You girls do things spectacularly, even leaking hints on a new model. It’s always fun to be in your brilliance circle.” Ian scanned the dance floor. “Let’s see. Lemme guess.”
    He scooted his unneeded glasses down the bridge of his nose. Ian was a fashion critic. One of the best. A simple nod of approval could get a new designer’s line picked up, and a frown could bury a budding career. He was terrifying at times, brutally honest and throw-me-down gorgeous with his light brown hair and whiskey eyes. Shawna loved the way his mind worked the most. He was one of those people who could see the proverbial diamond in the rough.
    “I see.” Ian sighed. “It’s a he this time. He’s perfect, ladies. Right up anyone’s single-day alley. Good thing I found Jimmy or I might take him off your hands.”
    Shawna shook her head. They hadn’t even given him a clue to work with. “How do you do it?”
    “Brilliance is born, not learned,” he quipped. Grabbing Chloe around the waist, he nuzzled her chin. “Let’s dance on over so I can get a better look at your newest creation.”
    Shawna heard him say something about sweaty, dirty cowboys, and she laughed. Missing the rest of his crude comments didn’t hurt her feelings. She needed to pee, like yesterday, and Ian offered the perfect escape. She passed the bar and weaved through the crowd, almost bypassing Cash’s brother Nick without seeing him. She wasn’t sure how she’d almost missed him. He stuck out like—well—like a cowboy in the city.
    “How’s it going, Nick?”
    “’S been better,” he grumped.
    She followed his gaze to the dance floor. Chloe was in celebration mode. Ian was behind her, Cash was in front, and no one could say Chloe Garrison didn’t outshine most of her models. She was gorgeous. She belonged in the beautiful crowd. “It’s her job.”
    Nick looked her way, his scowl rigid. “Her job sucks.”
    Shawna sighed. She couldn’t argue with his way of thinking. Any guy that wanted more from Chloe than occasional sex was in for heartbreak. She didn’t want to see Cash’s brother hurt that way, but there was nothing she could do to stop the inevitable. He’d already fallen hard if the possessiveness in his gaze was any indication.
    “I’ll be back in a few.” She could at least keep him company. “We’ll have a drink and commiserate.”
    “Sounds good.”
    She rushed to the bathroom. It was getting to the point of emergency status. Of course the line was a mile long. By the time she reemerged, Cash was waiting outside the door, a dark scowl marring his handsome features.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
    “I did what you wanted me to do, but I’ve had enough of this bat-shit crazy place for one night.”
    He grabbed her arm and steered her toward the exit.
    “Wait a minute,” she snapped, confused by his lack of information. “I need to check with Chloe.”
    “She knows we’re leaving,” he shouted over the music. “She said she’d call you later. She was busy rippin’ Nick a new ass for hitting Ian.”
    “What?” Shawna tried to stop but he kept them in motion. “He hit Ian? Why?”
    “Because he was getting too cozy with Chloe.” They burst out into the cool evening air and Cash let her go, dragging a hand through his hair. “Nick had no idea he was gay. Not that it matters. Chloe’s