He also wondered what he was thinking suggesting a sordid affair. He knew that it was probably similar language used in the book she stole, but he had no idea what that would look like. John wasn’t a duke, he was a Midwestern public librarian who hadn’t properly seduced a woman in two years. And he was also a researcher. An idea struck him, making him run upstairs to his bedroom.

When he found his e-reader, he searched the title For the Duke’s Convenience. John took a deep breath and purchased the book, frowning at the traditional romance cover. An Edwardian-era rake with black hair and an intense gaze appeared to be ravishing a young blonde woman with a plunging neckline. “Jesus,” he muttered.

This is going to be a struggle.

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

“I call this meeting to order,” Paula said, knocking on Victoria’s coffee table.

Victoria rolled her eyes and looked between Paula and Regina. The day after the library incident, she’d let it slip to Paula in the faculty break room. Before she knew it, the text chain had begun. Paula demanded a “wine night,” which prompted Regina put her sons to bed and tell her husband not to wait up. “This feels more like an intervention.”

“That will come later,” Regina said, pouring herself another drink. “For now, I want to know who this guy is and when you’re going to fuck him.”

Victoria choked on her wine. “Jeez, Reggi.”

“That was the end-goal when you kissed him, right?”

“Our girl actually kissed him.” Paula clapped excitedly.

Victoria groaned and buried her face in her couch cushions. “I can’t believe I did that.” But she had and there were no take-backs. Not that she hadn’t thoroughly enjoyed the way John’s arms had wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his body. The initial embarrassment of the kiss had worn off as she’d driven home, and had been replaced with excitement.

Regina was already on her phone, her red nails scrolling furiously. “I don’t know how you didn’t do it the first time you met him. This boy is fine...”

“Lemme see,” Paula said craning her neck. “Good god, Vicki.”

“That body is all kinds of right.”

Victoria sat up. “Okay, okay, ladies,” she said. “Let’s calm ourselves and talk about the facts. What’s our plan? I need a plan.”

Regina pointed her phone at her. “It’s a fact that this white boy has an ass that won’t quit. You need any other facts?”

“I don’t need to see the photos.”

Paula picked up her wine glass and swirled the contents. “Because you’re already well acquainted with it in real life?”