Page 10 of The Hook Up
“Honey, we know,” the grandma said, sidling close to Ellie and lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper Ty heard anyway. “But trust me on this one—we’re all here because we’re looking for something a little—different.”
Grandma gave a suggestive eyebrow waggle and patted Ty fondly on the butt. He stifled the urge to flex as Ellie watched with an expression that was somewhere between horror and amusement.
Halle Berry finished dishing up brownies and stepped over to survey Ty again. Then she turned to the assembly of ladies. “Raise your hands, girls, if you’ve been to a sex toy party before.”
Ty glanced around the room, surprised to see about two- dozen women had congregated while he’d been busy staring at Ellie. Every single one of them had a hand in the air. Clearly, Ellie Sanders had tapped into a hot market.
Smart woman,he thought, his admiration growing.
“So we’ve all been to these parties before,” Grandma said, sounding triumphant. “But how many of you have ever had a little man-candy there?”
No one’s hand went up, but the redhead looked at Ty and nodded. “I sure wouldn’t mind trying something new.”
“Then it’s settled,” announced a brunette with a teeming glass of white wine. “The man stays.”
Ellie bit her lip and stepped toward Ty. She touched his arm and angled up to whisper in his ear, and Ty found himself stooping down to get closer.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sure they’re just teasing. You don’t have to stick around. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
She kept biting her lip, which made him wonder how those lips would feel pressed up against his.
What is wrong with you? Stop thinking about kissing her.
Even nervous, she was so beautiful. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He also had an unsettling urge to help her out with whatever she might need. What did she need?
“This is your first party here,” he whispered. “Would having me around be a help or a hindrance?”
Ellie glanced back at the crowd, uncertainty in her eyes. “A help.” Her gaze slid back to his then down, and her throat moved as she swallowed. “Probably a big one.”
Ty grinned. “I’ll admit I kinda hate doing public presentations,” he said. “But something tells me I wouldn’t be expected to do much talking.”
“You’re probably right.” She gave a shaky smile. “I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
Ty stepped closer, loving the way she shivered when he did. “What doyouwant, Ellie?” he whispered.
She looked startled then flushed deep crimson. It occurred to Ty he might need to clarify.
“Would you like me to stick around, or make myself scarce?” he added.
She seemed to hesitate. She glanced back at the two-dozen women who were staring at Ty like he’d just poured melted chocolate over his abs and offered them marshmallows for dipping.
“Theydoseem to want it,” she murmured. “Do you?”
He wasn’t even sure what he was asking anymore, but he saw the answer in her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and so close to his that her hair tickled his chin as she nodded once.
“Okay, then,” he murmured. “I’ll stay.”
Someone tugged the hem of his T-shirt, and Ty turned to see the grandmotherly woman peering up at him.
“Young man.” She held up an iPhone in a sparkly turquoise case. “May I take a picture with you?”
“A picture?”
“Yes, it’s for my granddaughter. I’ve been telling her how I plan to get a hot young stud for a boyfriend. She’d simplydieif I sent her a photo of the two of us together.”
Ty laughed, even though part of him ached with nostalgia. He’d had a spirited grandmother once upon a time. She’d taught him to skip rocks and spit off bridges and curse like a thesaurus-wielding sailor. He’d wanted to live with her forever instead of just when his dad was behind bars. But she’d passed away, leaving Ty to spend the next decade bouncing between foster homes.
Shoving aside the unexpected sting of memory, Ty refocused on the cheerful octogenarian who clutched his T-shirt. “I’d be happy to help you out, Mrs.…”
