Hunks, Hammers, and Happily Ever Afters Read Online Free Page A

Expensive as hell, with a little sweetness for our non-beer drinker over there.” I smiled at Lily, who was thoughtfully peering into her glass. “There’s maple syrup in it.”
    She took a tentative taste, her face screwed up in preparation to hate it. Then her forehead smoothed and she smiled. “Hey, that’s not bad.”
    “See? Finally, some trust.” I took another drink and lifted a brow at Emerson. “If you wanna be a pussy about it, I have some Coors on ice.”
    Though I didn’t look her way, I saw Lily fidget out of the corner of my eye. Anything bordering on naughty language always made her nervous. I don’t think she minded it so much as she wasn’t used to it. From what I could tell, her big cop daddy and Emerson kept her on a damn short leash.
    That needed to change. Tonight, I hoped.
    Emerson took a defiant gulp, then held the glass stein at arm’s length. “Shit, that’s not bad. Holy strong though.”
    “Mmm-hmm.” I smiled around the lip of my glass. “Twenty-seven percent alcohol. Banned in thirteen states for too high a content for beer.” I finished off my glass in another handful of sips and reached for the bottle. “More?” I asked them, noticing they were both putting serious dents in their own glasses.
    “Lily isn’t twenty-one,” Emerson reminded me.
    “I know. She’s also not on her daddy’s watch right now, so let her breathe, huh?” I glanced at her and noticed the color already rising in her cheeks. With her size and lack of tolerance, she’d be buzzing soon if she wasn’t already. “More?”
    “I’m not driving, so sure.” She cast a glance toward me and held out her glass.
    “You can sleep over,” I said quickly when Emerson didn’t reply, just continued staring into the scant inch of brown liquid left in his glass. “There’s a guest bedroom,” I added as his head snapped up.
    I sincerely hoped they’d be in my king bed by the end of the night, but I knew there would be many steps to reach that point. Possibly more than could be covered in a single night.
    I’d always been an optimistic fucker.
    “I have to work in the morning.”
    Nodding, I smiled at Lily and filled her glass. “How about you?”
    “She’s not sleeping here.” Emerson answered so fast for her that Lily frowned and whipped her head in his direction.
    “Hello, I can speak for myself.” Her throat bobbed. “I’m not sleeping here, but thank you.”
    I chuckled and set down the bottle of fancy-ass beer. My own glass was clutched in my white-knuckled grip. I might be optimistic, but I also knew the uphill climb I faced in getting these two to lower their inhibitions. We’d all been friends long enough for that to be clear. Emerson didn’t think we were, and he tried to tell himself he only hung out with me to keep Lily company. And to, you know, watch her and make sure her hand didn’t sneak toward my dick or something.
    The truth was, he watched me too. And I liked it.
    There was a vibe between the three of us. I wasn’t sure how it would translate between the sheets, but I damn sure intended to find out.
    So...alcohol. And parties for three. And a party game or two meant to be an icebreaker that would hopefully lead to the loss of clothes.
    First, I’d ease them in.
    “What about a tour?” I set down my empty drink and scrubbed my palms on my jeans. Yeah, I was nervous. No matter how easygoing I seemed, I wasn’t unaffected by possible rejection. Especially possible rejection by two of my closest friends. Lily was closer than Emerson, of course, but that was the asshole’s own fault. He wouldn’t let me in. Didn’t want me to spin too far into his sphere.
    I figured that was because he wanted me there too much. So I’d be testing that theory soon.
    “Sure.” Lily stepped aside to give me room to pass her and I waved them both forward.
    “Step into my lair.” I glanced around. “Eh well, you’re already in it, so come deeper into my lair.”
    Lily let out a