Dirty Plans (Book 1 in the One Night Stand Club) – Excerpt #1If it wasn’t for these dirty bitches, I don’t know how I’d make it through the week. I’d probably end up one of those lonely, drunk ladies who has way too many cats and an impressive collection of yarn.

“Hey, Lil, can you flip the open sign off for me?” Tasia asks as she stumbles into the reading alcove of her adult bookstore with two dark brown folding chairs tucked under her arms. They almost look like extensions of her body since the color is nearly a perfect match to her beautiful, dark skin. 

Beside me, Anna calmly sets her phone in her lap, then pushes her large-framed glasses up her face. Without missing a beat, she raises her right hand and flips the bird toward the front of the building. “Got it.”

Tasia’s expression deadpans. “Hilarious, Chang. Ever think of going into comedy?”

“I aim to please,” Anna retorts with the kind of straight face only she can manage. Maybe it’s her Korean roots showing. Or a prerequisite for being a female computer programmer. Pretty sure those ladies major in ‘Smart Ass.’

Trying to hide my smirk, I push off the small purple loveseat and stand up. “On it.”

Tasia’s dark eyes sparkle as she beams her giant smile at me and sets the first chair out. Then she turns to Anna and says, “See, that’s why she’s my BFF.” 

“Kiss ass,” Anna says, pretending to sneeze as she picks her phone back up.

I laugh under my breath and weave through the bookshelves toward the front of the store. 

So far, only three of us are on time—me, Tasia, and Anna. We’re waiting on Vivian, who’s notoriously late, but for some reason, it would be weird if she wasn’t. 

The Dirty B’s have been meeting every Thursday night in the back of Tasia’s bookstore for the past three years. In that time, the four of us have built something I hadn’t realized I was missing in my life. 

Friendship. 

Camaraderie. 

Hell, a fun group of women who like to sit around, drink wine, and talk about dirty books in a bookstore with more than enough reading material. 

Best of all, they don’t care about what kinds of books I read, the ones I won’t touch, or … how I look. 

That last piece has been a blessing.

It’s not always easy finding friends who can look past the slightly odd shape of my nose and the scar that tears its way from my upper lip to my left nostril. 

Hell, not even my husband can seem to do that. 

So, yeah, it’s been nice to be around people who see me for me and not my birth deformity. 

Truth be told, it’s been eighteen years since the last time I felt like I was really seen for who I am. That was back when my best childhood friend, London, was still around. 

There are times when I still can’t believe his parents forced him to move to Colorado. But that’s the way life goes, right? 

People move on.

I walk over to the front door and flip the switch on the open sign. It goes dark just as the door lets out a shrill ding, announcing a newcomer. 

Vivian waltzes in with a brown paper bag in her arms and a smile on her face. Her bleach blond hair is up in a messy high ponytail and she’s clad in bright pink yoga pants, paired with a black crop top that shows off her ample cleavage and midriff. 

I’d be jealous of her annoyingly perky body if I didn’t know the woman it was actually attached to. I’ll keep my average weight and height, thank you very much. 

“Hey, Flower,” she says with a quick wave of her free hand. Vivian is the only one who thinks calling me Flower makes more sense than Lily. 

“Hey, Viv. We’re just about to get started,” I say, jabbing my left index finger toward the back of the store. “Was it your week to bring the wine?”

“Yup.” She nods and glances into the bag like she’s surprised it’s still in there.

“Nice.”

Vivian might always be late, but her taste in wine is impeccable. Plus, as one of Duluth’s most sought-after interior designers, she has the budget to afford the good stuff. 

“Sorry I’m late. I was sucking Jordan off before he left for Tahoe and the man has stamina. But I had to leave him with an impression, if you know what I mean.” She winks at me and wipes at the corner of her mouth with the tip of her middle finger like she’s cleaning up whatever he left behind. 

My face heats and I suck in a quick breath.

With Vivian, you never know if she’s serious or just saying something for shock value. However, the way her hair is slightly disheveled leaves me envisioning her boyfriend’s hands groping at it as he thrusts…

Fuck me. 

I press a knuckle to my right eye socket. 

She chuckles and continues through the store without elaborating further—thank god. 

It’s been two months since Seth and I had sex and it’s starting to do weird things to my brain.

 

Dirty Plans (Book 1 in the One Night Stand Club) – Excerpt #2
“Hey, Saint,” Cal says, rapping his knuckles on the frame of my office door. 

My eyes shift from the computer monitor to him.

Nocté isn’t due to open for another few hours, but like clockwork, Cal is one of the first ones here. As head of security, he likes to spend a few minutes kicking the shit with me before making his rounds. 

Gotta say, right now, I could use the distraction. 

“S’up, Cal?” I mutter, as I push away from my desk and lean back in my chair. 

“You looked awfully engrossed. Watchin’ porn?” He grins, sliding into the room like a golden panther. He takes up his typical spot on the opposite side of my desk. 

People often underestimate him because he’s short and has an easy-going air about him. Probably because of that damn dirty blond hair and goofy grin. They don’t expect him to go stone-cold badass at the first sign of trouble. 

That’s why I hired him.  

“Nah, nothing that exciting,” I fire back. 

“So, cyber-stalking your mystery girl, then?” Cal’s dark eyes glint with that lethal humor of his. 

“Very funny.” I make a face and flip him the bird. 

“Seriously, dude. You’ve been here half a year and you haven’t even looked her up? Aren’t you curious?” He leans back, clasping his hands behind his head. 

“I’m sure she’s long gone,” I counter. But the response falls flat, even to me. 

Besides, of course, I’ve damn well looked her up. 

He narrows his gaze, but his left eyebrow twitches suspiciously into an arch. I could have let that go, but then the asshole has the audacity to smirk. 

“Fuck off,” I mutter, eyeing the email again. Maybe it was the lesser of two evils after all. “Did you need something?”

Cal snickers. “Since when do I need a reason to harass you?” 

My expression deadpans and a low growl rumbles from the back of my throat. 

That makes him full-on guffaw. 

Prick. 

“Seriously, man. I’ve never seen a guy wound so tight at the mention of an old friend,” Cal continues. “Are you sure you don’t have feelings for her?” 

“We were ten, man. And she was my best friend.” I lower my eyebrows. “Of course, I have feelings for her. Just—not like that.”

“Sure, sure,” he says, nodding. 

I roll my eyes. “You gotta point in there somewhere?” 

“Saint, you’re pining for a girl you haven’t seen in damn near twenty years. The least you could do is put your feelings to bed by tracking her down, asking her out to coffee, and realizing she never went through puberty like the rest of us. Or that she’s an ogre or some damned thing. Christ,” he mutters. 

“First of all, I’m not pining—”

Again he raises an eyebrow. 

“Hey, Saint, we’re outta stir sticks,” Myles says, knocking on the doorframe the way Cal had. She tips her chin to him in acknowledgment. “Oh, hey, Cal.” 

“Hey, Myles,” Cal says, looking over his shoulder.

I turn my gaze to the best damn bartender this side of Lake Superior—who on occasion is also one deluded mofo. Her pixie-style haircut is a mixture of black and purple this week. It was red and gold last week. Dressed in the goth garb she frequently wears, she looks like a pissed-off fairy.

“This is my problem how?” I fire back, leaning forward so I can plant my elbows on my desk and steeple my fingers beneath my chin.

She arches a well-sculpted black eyebrow and crosses her arms. “Did you approve my entire bar order last week?”

“Is there a well-stocked bar out there?” I quip, knowing damn well she’s been putting everything away for the past hour. 

Besides, she and I both know that between the two of us, if the stir sticks got forgotten, it wasn’t on my end. 

Her eyes narrow and her mouth purses. “Well, shit.” 

I shake my head and turn back to the pointed stare Cal’s throwing in my direction. He’s not done with his stupid conversation. 

“You know what?” I say, standing up quickly. “Why don’t I come help you look?” 

Cal’s eyes narrow at me, so I make sure to grin big as I walk on by.

 

Dirty Plans (Book 1 in the One Night Stand Club) – Excerpt #3
“What about that one?” I ask quietly, eyeing the woman who walked in a moment ago. She’s now standing with her hands on her hips in front of the wall of vibrators. 

“Oh, honey, she’s done with his shit and ready to take matters into her own hands.” Quinn chuckles. “Literally.”

“Who’s shit?” I ask, turning back to him.

“Does it matter?” He shoots me a WTF look. “She is fed up with a capital F. Any minute, she’s going to ask for my oh-so-worldly advice on which one of those silicone beauties will turn her vision technicolor and I’ll give it to her. Oh, that reminds me. You have got to check out this new Swedish brand we just got in.” He twists around and pulls up a couple of black boxes.

Without a second thought, he opens the first box, plucks the silicone toy out, and waves it proudly between us. Then, he passes it to me.

It’s a bright blue number that looks more like the letter V than a vibrator.  

V for Vibrator. I guess it works. 

“Meet Hugo. I’m officially in love and no longer need a man to complete me,” he swoons, fanning himself. “It has a prostate massager and eight hands-free settings. Seriously, I’ve never come so hard in my life.” 

“Oh, dear god.” My face flushes and I pass the monstrosity back. “Well, that’s lovely for you. I don’t have a prostate, so …” 

His face brightens and he wiggles his eyebrows. “Which is why I am pleased to bring you this next piece. Say hello to Enigma,” he says, removing a dark pink vibrator from the other box. This one is shaped more like a question mark to match the questions in my mind. 

What’s with the abstract shapes?  

He hands it to me and I turn it over in my hand, confused about how you’d even use the damn thing. 

As if reading my mind, he begins his sales pitch. “Fully waterproof, this bad boy is sure to be your best friend from here on out. Now, this piece fits inside to stimulate the G-spot.” He taps the curved part of the question mark. “And this amazing little spot here is the super-sonic clit stimulator. Like, seriously, from what I hear, it’s supposed to exorcise your demons and give you a glimpse into heaven itself.”

Behind me, someone chuckles. My first instinct is to freeze. Because, dear Lord Almighty …

Quinn arches around me and gives whoever it is a good once-over. I’m too terrified to look.

“Don’t let me stop you,” a man’s deep voice says from behind me. “Please, carry on. I’m very interested to hear about how this super-sonic feature works. Heaven certainly has an appeal.” 

With the vibrator still in my hand, I chance a glance over my shoulder and come face to face with the dark-haired, perfect assed man from the party section. 

Of course. 

Tucked under his left arm is a box of lewd stir sticks. His eyes sparkle with amusement as a dazzling smirk appears. 

“I, this isn’t—” I begin, fumbling with the vibrator. I nearly drop it but manage to grab it by the G-spot curve. “I mean, he was just showing me … But this isn’t …”

To my horror, I bump into his box of stir sticks, sending them flying. Somehow, he manages to reach out and grab them before they hit the ground. I’m dazzled by the way his biceps flex and the tattoos on his forearm dance. 

“Whew, good reflexes there,” I blurt out, still mesmerized by his arms. 

The guy’s smoldering dark blue eyes survey me, still with a hint of humor, and somehow, the weight of worlds. There’s a gravity there and it’s like he strips me down and sees into my soul as a strange energy passes between us. 

He looks like he’s about to say something, but stops short. 

Of course, mind-in-the-gutter-girl that I am, already turned on by the toy I clearly need for myself, all I can think about is what Quinn said earlier—and I’m inclined to agree. 

Beast is definitely the word that springs to mind for this guy.  

It’s suddenly too hot in here.

 

Dirty Plans (Book 1 in the One Night Stand Club) – Excerpt #4
“You look fuckin’ sick,” Cal says as he drops into his usual spot on the other side of my desk. “And I don’t mean in the dope kinda way, either.” 

“I feel sick,” I admit, glancing up at him. 

Last night went better than I could have imagined. Even with Quinn there, dinner with Lily made me realize how much I’ve missed in her life. 

She’s still the same, quirky girl she was as a kid—but she’s also got a layer of hurt that wasn’t there before. It’s hiding just beneath the surface of who she wants everyone to believe she is, but I can feel it like it’s a palpable thing. 

I can’t help but wonder how it got put there and whose ass I need to kick.

“What’s up?” he asks, leaning back and crossing his right leg over his left knee.

There’s no point in hiding things. Lily’s due to arrive any minute now. 

I level my gaze and force a sigh from my nose. “She’s on her way here.” 

He snickers. “She?” 

I continue to hold my expression..

Cal drops his leg and sits up straighter. “Are we talking about …”

“Yes. Fucksake, yes. Who the hell else would I be talking about?” I fire back. 

“Shit,” he says, sounding impressed. “Explains why you’ve got a stick shoved up your ass.” 

“Great. Wonderful. Glad life’s mysteries have all congealed in your brain.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to force my nerves to settle. 

“Why’s she comin’ here?” Cal presses. 

I lick my lower lip and laugh under my breath. “She’s a fucking event planner if you can believe it. And I need one to plan this damn event Noah wants us to do.” 

His eyebrows fly up, then he shifts forward in his seat, pressing his palms over his knees. “Hang the fuck on. You’re telling me you’ve finally connected with this girl after two decades of pining and your first thought is to hire her? You realize how nuts that is, right?” 

I lower my eyebrows and hold up my middle finger. “First, I wasn’t pining. Second, it wasn’t my first thought. It just kinda worked out.”

“In what universe is that working out?” Cal responds. 

I swallow hard and scratch the back of my head. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” 

He blows out a puff of air and shakes his head. “Look, I get the whole ‘I wanna spend time with her’ thing that was probably going through your mind here. But you realize that if she comes on board, she’ll have to be brought up to speed on—”

“I know,” I cut him off, pressing my fingertips to the center of my forehead and spreading them out. It does fuck-all for easing the tension. “Trust me, I haven’t been able to think about anything else.” 

“Do you think she’ll back out if she knows?” Cal asks, narrowing his gaze.

I shrug, despite my heart taking a plummet. “Honestly, no clue.” 

The worst, though, would be if she saw me differently because of it—and not in a good way. 

There are so many ways this thing could go tits up, but none of them mattered when it was all just hypothetical. Now that she’s agreed to sign the NDA, the reality of it feels like a swift kick to the balls. 

Great, now I feel sick again.

Myles knocks on my doorframe and steps into the room. “Saint, there are two ladies at the door asking for you. One of them says she has an appointment. Want me to let them in?“ 

Two ladies?

I shift my gaze to Cal just in time to see him take a deep breath. 

Fuck. If he’s nervous, it might just be the start of the goddamn apocalypse.