Page 10 of Protecting Salvation

“So you don’t want to hear about this thing he does with his tongue that makes me….”

“No. La la la la. I can’t hear you.” Lotus put her hands over her ears and hummed as Val burst out laughing and wrapped an arm around Lotus’ neck hugging her and kissing her head.

Peyton laughed as another round of drinks was delivered to their table. The waitress bent low to start dishing them out.

“Who ordered these?” Duchess glanced up and everyone shook their heads, so she turned her attention to the waitress.

“Those men over at the bar.”

“Take them away.”

The young woman paused and looked around, clearly feeling awkward. “They’re safe. I watched the bartender make them.”

“That may be but we can buy our own drinks.”

Peyton felt for the girl who looked like she might puke. “Oh, okay.” She began loading her tray back up and Peyton and the others watched as she went back to the bar. The two men leaned over and spoke to her and she shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.

The taller of the two men, with his dark hair slicked back, looked over, his face smug and she almost groaned. He’d taken their rejection as a challenge and she knew they hadn’t seen the last of him tonight.

“Urgh, I’m so glad I have Bram.”

“Same,” Snow said and around the table, a chorus of agreement rang out.

Peyton looked at Lotus and they both began to laugh. “Gee, thanks so much, friends. Nothing like hearing how special the dating pool is to make two single girls feel better.”

Aoife shrugged. “I didn’t say that. I said I was glad I had Bram. There are good guys out there, it just takes a lot of wading in the mud to find them.”

“Great, so me and my book boyfriends can continue our three-way with my vibrator for a bit longer.”

“Cheers to that.” Lotus leaned across Duchess and clinked her glass to Peyton’s, spilling half of it on Duchess’ leg.

“Damn it, Lotus.”

“It’s only gin, boss lady, not acid.”

Duchess glared and turned her attention to her phone as it lit up with a text. She swiped it quickly, a warm smile spreading over her face.

Lotus squinted. “Are you texting Gideon?”

Duchess hid her phone by her side and looked sheepish. “No.” It came out more like a question than a response.

“Urgh, I hate you all and your perfect sex monsters.”

Charlie giggled. “I mean, I wouldn’t say sex monster, but maybe sex demon.”

“Ooh, good one or sex devil,” Val interjected.

“Peyton, you’re my new best friend and wing woman. You lot can go suck a dick.”

Aoife rolled her lips and she could feel her friend holding back a laugh but it was no use.

“As long as it’s Bram’s dick, then I’m in.”

Peyton laughed as the rest of the table joined in, including Lotus.

“I hate you all.”

Peyton was wiping her eyes as Lotus made her half-hearted statement.