Free Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks Page A

Nathan had to shave off all his hair.”
    “Because he bet me the Astros wouldn’t lose yesterday afternoon,” Micah said smugly.
    Connor regarded Nathan with an incredulous expression. “Dude, you bet they’d win with their best batter out with a torn rotator cuff?”
    “I didn’t know that when we placed the bet,” Nathan said tightly.
    “Oh, but I bet Micah did,” Faith said.
    “How would he know?” Nathan asked.
    Micah slid an arm around Faith and squeezed her shoulders. “How indeed. Just a lucky thing, I guess.”
    “You know something we don’t, Sis?” Connor asked.
    “Just that Micah happens to be very good friends with the team doctor. Micah was the one who replaced his security system last year.”
    “You son of a bitch!” Nathan exclaimed. He launched himself at Micah, who ducked and backed away just as Nathan flew past Faith to grab Micah’s head in a lock. “You knew. You knew the whole time. That’s why you made the bet with me.”
    Micah laughed even as Nathan flipped him to the floor. “The stunt you pulled with the governor’s daughter was far worse, so don’t give me that shit.”
    “He’s got you there,” Connor said with a laugh. “I’d rather shave myself bald than have to endure what Micah did.”
    “You guys really have me curious,” Gray grumbled.
    Micah picked himself up off the floor, and Nathan clapped Gray on the back. “I’ll tell you all about it over lunch today.”
    “Asshole,” Micah muttered.
    “Well, if it’s any consolation, I think you look hot,” Faith spoke up.
    Nathan looked at her in surprise. “Really?”
    She laughed. “Yeah, I like it. I’d definitely do you.”
    “Well, hot damn, let’s blow this joint and go back to my place.”
    Connor scowled at Nathan. “Not funny, man. Not funny at all.”
    “All you need is an earring,” Faith said.
    He gave her a horrified look. “An earring? Are you serious? So I can look like sissy boy over there?” he said with a flip of his head in Micah’s direction.
    Faith shrugged. “I think his earring is hot. You’d look great with one. Shaved head, goatee, a diamond stud or even a gold hoop, a small one. Mmm, I get all quivery just thinking about it.”
    Nathan massaged his earlobe between his fingers. “Are you shitting me? You really think I’d look good with an earring?”
    Faith nodded. “Yeah, and all you’d need is a little sun on that lily-white skin of your scalp, and you’ll be a regular lady killer.”
    “Give it to me straight, Faith. Speaking as a woman. Quit trying to make me feel better. You honestly think the bald look is hot?” Nathan asked doubtfully.
    “Vain bastard,” Connor teased.
    “Well shit, if Faith’ll do Nathan because he’s bald, I think I’m gonna go make an appointment with the barber,” Gray said with a sly grin.
    Connor and Micah both turned around, frowns on their faces. Even Nathan eyed Gray through narrowed lids.
    Faith cleared her throat again. “Yes, Nathan,” she began, pretending she hadn’t heard Gray’s provocative statement. “Bald looks very good on you. I never did like the shaggy look. I wouldn’t have thought I’d like a bald guy, but you look seriously hot.”
    Nathan grinned and gripped her by the shoulders before planting a sloppy kiss on her face. “You’re a sweetheart.”
    “Get your damn hands off my daughter,” Pop grumbled as he walked through the door.
    “Mornin’, Pop,” Faith said as Nathan dropped his hands off her shoulders.
    Pop laid a hand on her shoulder as he walked by her en route to the coffeepot.
    The others voiced their greetings, and Pop nodded his acknowledgment as he poured his coffee. Cupping the mug in his hands, he looked over at Faith. “You got that schedule printed out for me?”
    She walked around the back of her desk and reached inside her drawer to pull out the pages she’d printed off earlier. She handed them over to Pop.
    “We have a couple new jobs,” Pop said. “Nothing that should