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  It’s stupid, I knew that. But life’s fucked up, so why not act just as crazy while going along for the ride?

  Then there was today. It started out like any other day. Shooting phantom pains in my leg as I struggled to get out of bed and into my wheelchair. The soap fell in the shower to a place I couldn’t reach because of Ren and Stimpy. That’s what I called what was left of my right leg and my scarred left leg because they’re as crazy as that cartoon.

  But the big moment came at work when I actually went into the office. Usually, I stayed at home because I was the boss and I could do that. And since today was New Year’s Day, I knew no one would be at work.

  When I got there, I found the vice president of the company and the head of accounting working away. When I asked what they were doing at work on a holiday, they told me the terrible news.

  Libertyville, where I lived and where my company, Six Infinity, was located, decided to add a business tax to tech firms with over ten employees. Not just that, but they wouldn’t be eligible for previous tax breaks and incentives. I found it interesting that they singled out tech firms as I knew of no other tech company in town.

  It’s as if the L-Association, the people who ran Libertyville, singled out my company and wanted it gone. The smart thing to do would be to take my business elsewhere—leave and never look back. But it’s the principle and I was an asshole, through and through, so I wasn’t about to get out of town.

  I came home stressed and just wanted a good wank, something that relieved the tension from my body. Jacking off always helped. Sex was better, but as I looked around, I didn’t see any women, so I was left with only the masturbation option.

  Sighing, I lifted the remote and shut off the television but the noise didn’t disappear. I tilted my head and heard a woman giggling.

  “Hello? Anyone there?” I yelled while sitting up.

  There was silence.

  Grabbing my wheelchair, I secured it in place while I lifted myself on and then, releasing the break, rolled over to the bedroom door.

  “I’m a retired US Navy Corpsman. Whoever is out there better not be when I open this door.”

  “Oh shit,” I heard a female say while another said, “I bet he’s hot.”

  I heard some movement but when I opened the door, I saw them duck behind my couch. I couldn’t tell what they looked like, but one had blond hair, and I caught a flash of red hair and brunette.

  Pushing on my wheels, I came to a stop on the other side of the couch. “I know you are there. You might as well stand up and get the humiliation over with now.”

  “If we don’t get up, he can’t have us arrested,” one of them stage-whispered.

  “Do you even know the law? Of course, I could have you all arrested. You broke into my home.”

  “Technically, we used your key. It’s right outside your door on that small table, under the plant. If we really analyzed the situation, you practically invited us inside,” one of the women said and her voice sounded familiar.

  What she said sounded like something I would come up with. I had to give her credit for that piece of word craft.

  “I commend you on putting that together, but the law would disagree with you.”

  “Shit. Sorry, Emmie, Niki. I tried.”

  “Willa! You just used our names. What happened to using code names?”

  “You all realize I can hear everything you say, right?”

  “This is ridiculous. I’m standing,” one of them said while the others pleaded with her to stay down.

  The air left my lungs when she emerged. The soft curls of her platinum blond hair looked like a halo that framed her face. Her long, dark lashes dusted her cheeks, and I imagined her down on her knees sucking me off, her lashes almost tickling my cock.

  That image brought me to her thick, red lips, which were currently in an O-shape. She was surprised and embarrassed but for a moment, I imagined she was like the woman in the porno with the horny mouth.

  Her cheeks darkened and I suspected it wasn’t due to breaking into my home. It was because we knew each other.

  “Oh, uh . . . hi, Tucker. So, this is your place? It’s nice.”

  “Tucker?” Willa said and stood. “Oh, shit.” She turned her back to me. “You need to cover yourself. You can’t be pointing your torpedo at us like that!”

  “What?” the final female said as her head lifted over the edge of the couch. It was Emmie Delarosa.

  I knew Willa Jones as she was my brother’s girlfriend, but the other ladies I had only met once. We met when Willa drew penises around my brother’s car and threatened to call the cops on him. That was a fun day. I remember trying my best to impress the ladies by going along with them.

  Was I selling my brother out? Yes. But come on, they were all hot, especially Niki Sargeant who looked like a mix of Marilyn Monroe and Kate Upton.

  “Emmie, stay down. That thing may go off at any moment. We can’t afford a casualty,” Willa said placing her hand on Emmie’s head and pushing her down gently.

  Glancing down, I was shocked, too. Not that I was naked—I knew that part—but that my cock was at full attention.

  “Now you come to life? I downloaded the dirtiest porn I could find and nothing. But three women break into my condo and you get hard . . . Wait, oh, I get it. Never mind, Little Me, you’re working A-OK.” I gave it a wink. I would have fist-bumped it but that would be weird, even for me.

  “How did I not know you lived here?” Willa asked with her back still toward me.

  My eyes kept bouncing between her and Niki. Emmie was back to hiding behind the couch, but Niki had yet to turn or close her eyes. Every time I glanced at her, she quickly averted her gorgeous blue eyes and my dick loved it.

  She was pretending not to stare at me, but she wasn’t very good at it. I heard Niki was an actress. She must not be good if she couldn’t pretend to keep her eyes off my buff, slightly broken, body.

  “Because you’re too busy boinking my brother to visit. Besides, I’m not really the social type but since you ladies are here, I could try to come out of my shell,” I said with a wink at Niki.

  “No offense, Tucker, while a guy with a big dick is my thing, I’m rather faithful to your brother,” Willa said.

  “I get that. I may be an asshole, but I’d never do that to Hunter. So, that just leaves you ladies. You obviously were attracted by the female mating signal I sent out—at least enough to break in. So, should we just—”

  I was cut off by Emmie’s squeal as she raced to the front door. That woman could move. She was a blur and before I knew it, there was only Willa with her back still facing me and Niki.

  “So, no threesome. That’s cool. It would be confusing with so many arms anyway.” I stared at Niki who had finally brought her eyes to mine. They were like looking at the sea for the first time—refreshing and breathtaking and I never wanted them to turn away.

  “Tucker. There will be no sex with Niki tonight. She’s coming with me.”

  “Can I watch?”

  Willa finally turned. “You’ve got problems. Now go back to your porn and for God’s sake, turn it down.”

  She grabbed Niki’s arm and tugged her to the door. When it finally closed, I was disappointed. I wasn’t under the delusion I’d get laid tonight by what just happened—those scenarios only happen in pornos.

  Mental note: Look up burglar porn.

  But, for the first time in years, I felt alone. When Niki’s eyes stayed on me as Willa dragged her away, something else awoke in me. It felt odd but wonderful with a twinge of pain in my chest.

  I had lusted after women before, even liked a few enough to call them my girlfriend, but what just happened with Niki was unusual.

  Niki was a glamourous movie star. Beautiful. Unattainable. But as her eyes locked with mine, I had a new goal in life. Get her in my bed.

  THREE

  Niki

  “PLEASE TAKE THIS MUFFIN basket as an apology for my brother,” Hunter said as he
leaned forward. “Since he came back from his deployment, he’s been a bit different. An acquired taste, so to speak.”

  I blinked up at the six-foot-two rock star in my doorway and relieved him of the basket. Once the surprise of Willa and Hunter showing up at my new place unannounced the day after the New Year’s Day break-in wore off, I stepped back.

  “Please, come inside.” I waved them forward with a wide, stiff smile.

  The place was still a wreck. Boxes were scattered around the room and dishes were stacked on the woodblock countertop island in the kitchen. I had never been the type of person to keep my home spotless, but it was currently a disaster.

  I bit my thumbnail as I scanned the room, hopeful to find one spot unpacked and spotless.

  Nothing.

  “Nice place,” Hunter said as he gazed around my living room.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled. Heat crawled up my neck at the obvious lie he was telling me.

  Hunter may be a rock god, but he never acted like one. He was the most down-to-earth guy I knew. I first met him a few months ago but really got to know him the other night at the New Year’s party. He was kind and went out of his way to get our drinks.

  I mentioned to Willa he had good manners. She agreed with a wink and mentioned he always made sure her happiness came first.

  I had a feeling she was talking about sex and therefore, never asked her to explain.

  There was a stiffness in my neck that I rubbed away as I said, “I am so sorry for the mess. If I had known you were coming over, I would have—”

  Willa elbowed Hunter. “I told you this was a bad idea.”

  “What?” He waved a hand at me. “She’s not mad.”

  I was, actually, but I would never let them know that. My mother had raised me to always put on a good front, to make sure people felt relaxed. Other’s happiness was worth more than gold, she would say.

  But to her, it was worth exactly as much as gold.

  My life was one big act. I smiled when I needed, laughed when it was required, and did what the people around me wanted.

  I was always on. My mother wanted me to be a star. She knew that being famous was more than acting—it was giving people what they wanted twenty-four seven.

  “Of course, I’m not mad.” I turned my smile up a bit. “Now, come and have a seat. I think I have another bar stool somewhere.” I glanced around but had no idea where the movers placed the stools.

  “No, those muffins are for you,” Hunter said as he moved into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “What my brother did yesterday was terrible—propositioning you like that while completely naked. I hope it wasn’t traumatic.”

  Willa slid her arms into his and they gazed at me, waiting for a reply. Waiting for reassurance that what Tucker said yesterday didn’t affect me. That somehow his monstrous cock—which was like a third eye staring at me—didn’t cause me a fitful night’s sleep . . . one where I woke several times covered in sweat.

  What happened yesterday in Tucker’s living room did all those things and more. I was tense from knowing he was on the other side of the wall of my bedroom. It was hard to sleep so I had to take drastic measures to relieve that intensity.

  I broke out my vibrator and dildo.

  “No, of course not.” I giggled and lifted a muffin, inspecting it for what, I had no idea. “I had almost forgotten about it until you brought it up.”

  Sinking my teeth into the soft baked good, I hoped they believed my utter lie.

  “Good. And if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.” Hunter patted my shoulder as crumbs from the blueberry muffin fell from my lips.

  My momentary irritation of unplanned guests was waning, replaced by a sweet sort of happiness with the flavor of blueberries. “These are good.”

  “Hunter’s addicted. He eats them every day.”

  I nodded but continued to shove the muffin into my mouth. I must have been hungry. Low blood sugar was causing my irritation of guests. The more I thought about Hunter and Willa showing up, the more it made me happy that I had people in my life who cared about me.

  My mother said she cared but it seemed she only showed her love when I made her money. When she died a year ago, I felt grief but at the same time, relief too.

  I could finally be who I wanted to be in life instead of her grand plan. But the grief turned into confusion when I soon discovered I had no idea what I wanted in life. I was about to quit acting in the autumn last year and travel—see the world and perhaps find myself along the way. But then the indie movie, Playing With My Heart, I did years ago finally released and everyone in Hollywood wanted to know me.

  My agent was ecstatic. My friends were excited for me. I just went along for the ride because that’s what I always did. It made everyone happy, and you’d think it made me happy too, but I felt even more lost.

  “I can see why.” I was about to reach for a chocolate chip one when I heard a knock at the door.

  “Is there a party at my place I don’t know about?” I said as I turned to head to the door and then chuckled. But it came out more of a growl than a laugh.

  The knock picked up speed and wouldn’t stop. “I’m coming.”

  All the euphoria from the muffin was now gone.

  I opened the door with gritted teeth. “Can I help—”

  The words were stuck in my mouth as I saw Tucker with a big basket in his lap.

  “Yeah, you can take this thing from me.” He held up the wicker basket and leaned past me to glance inside my place. “Are those Jacket Bakery muffins I smell?”

  “What?” I asked, stunned and confused as to what he was doing here and why he brought me a basket. It must be a Six family tradition of sending apology baskets. But mostly, my bewilderment bloomed from setting eyes on his wicked smile.

  I thought the heat that grew between my legs and the rapid beat of my heart yesterday was due to Tucker’s hot and very naked body. But now that he was wearing jeans and a blue-checked button-up shirt, I was having the same feelings. And when his blue eyes swept my body, I thought my nipples might cut through my sweater.

  When his gaze landed back on my eyes for a brief moment, the unease of the past year disappeared. But then he opened his mouth and the comfort bubble burst. “Don’t be rude. Invite me in for muffins.”

  I stumbled back and shook my head, trying to make sense as to what just happened. “Yes, of course . . . Come in.” I waved him through.

  It took me a moment, but I frowned, realizing I wasn’t the rude one here.

  He lifted the basket and shoved it into my hands. “You’re welcome,” he said as he rolled past.

  That man had none of his brother’s manners.

  “Hunter, Willa, you here for the muffins, too? Or did your girlfriend convince you to break in Niki’s place? I have to say, Willa, you might have a problem. I’m sure there’s a burglar’s anonymous meeting somewhere you could attend.” Tucker went straight to the kitchen counter and reached for a muffin.

  Hunter slapped at Tucker’s hand. “Those are for Niki. Hands off.”

  “Ow. Where are your manners, dude? I was invited inside for muffins.”

  The basket was quite heavy, and I had to heave it onto the counter. When I turned to face the group, I felt a hand on my arm. The warm-gooeyness I felt at the door was back and now steadily moving up my arm.

  My body had a real problem. It was turned on by the biggest jerk to come into my life since Tommy Wright, my boyfriend during our junior year of high school. Tommy had set up a video camera in my bathroom, but he put it in the wrong location and luckily, it only filmed my feet. He streamed it live and apparently, it was a big hit with the foot fetish crowd.

  Tucker’s eyes flickered up to mine. “Tell them. I’m allowed to eat your muffins.”

  And then something incredible and dirty happened, which I loathed and loved it at the same time. Tucker smirked as his eyes dipped to the button of my jeans. They might have drifted lower, but I pretended
they settled there, or it was possible I would burst into flames.

  Tucker Six was rude, selfish, and wasn’t shy about where his eyes landed on my body. I should hate the man. My stomach should want to vomit in his presence, yet I couldn’t stop picturing last night with his toned arms and especially, his enormous cock.

  “Yes . . .” I realized how breathy that came out and cleared my throat. “Yes, I did invite him inside for muffins. These muffins. In this basket. Not any other muffins. Not that I have other muffins or—”

  “We get it, Niki. Only Jacket Bakery muffins,” Willa cut me off and saved me from my humiliating word vomit about muffins.

  “Yes. Yes!” I pointed in the air for no reason. “Jacket Bakery muffins.”

  I folded my arms in front of me and glared at Tucker. He was staring at me with an odd smile as he reached into the basket and plucked out a muffin. Without even looking at what he was about to eat, he took a huge bite.

  “Mmm, I do love to caress my lips and swipe my tongue over a sweet muffin,” he said between chews and then stared at my crotch once again. “So soft. The only thing that would make them better is if they were warm.”

  “For fuck’s sake, Tucker. Don’t make this worse than it already is.” Hunter slapped Tucker on the back of his head.

  Tucker barely flinched, and I wondered if he was used to his brother’s head slaps.

  Shaking my head, I did my best to get out of Tucker’s sexual innuendo trance—even if my vagina liked the way he stared at me and spouted ridiculous come-ons.

  I would not let this man humiliate me, no matter how badly my body reacted to it.

  “Let’s see what’s in the basket you brought, Tucker.” I pulled the thing over and opened a flap.

  My eyes widened, and I shut the basket as quickly as I opened it.

  “Maybe another time.” I tried to laugh but it came out as a snort.

  Most of my laughs were snorts. I think I had an undiagnosed nasal condition, or maybe I just had a terrible laugh.