Kaylee’s eyes widened. “Wh-what?”
“All right, love. Reel it in.” Dave wrapped an arm around Janie’s shoulders and squeezed her close. “She’s new to all this crazy. Reel it in.”
“No, wait…” Janie blinked and looked down at her knees. “Not nude. Something…else.” She bit her lip.
“Here you go.” Madison landed back in with a beer and a bottle of water. “So, Kaylee, what’s your plan for the dinner tomorrow?”
Ethan crossed an ankle over his knee. “What should I wear? Suit? Tux?”
“Tux? Really?” Noah rolled his eyes.
“Wear the red Hawaiian shirt and the turquoise pants,” Madison said, settling down next to Colton. “You’ll definitely stand out.”
“We’re not going for standing out—we’re going for fitting in.” Kaylee unscrewed the cap of the water bottle. “Also, that outfit sounds…”
“Hideous, I know.” Janie nodded. “But he makes it work somehow. It boggles my mind.”
Kaylee turned her head, giving Ethan her focus. “A suit like the other night would be great. Other than that, just be you.”
“When should I pick you up?” he asked.
“Oh, I can meet you there.”
“I do not advise that strategy.” Madison leaned forward, the aura of command taking over. When she slipped into business mode, everyone in the room took notice, Ethan included. “You need to show up together. That’s just common sense. But who should drive?”
“He should,” Dave said. “If your bosses aren’t in the habit of promoting chicks, they are probably old-fashioned. That means they’ll expect the man to drive.”
“True.” Janie was still staring. Kaylee frowned at her. “But in reality, who’s going to be standing around the parking lot, watching how people arrive? As long as you show up together, I think it’s a non-issue.”
“It’s settled. I’ll drive. When should I pick you up?” Ethan said.
“We can always take the car service,” Kaylee said.
“What time does the dinner start?” Colton asked.
“Seven.” She shifted her focus away from Ethan. “On the other side of town.”
“Pick her up at six thirty, Ethan.” Colton finished his drink and set it down on the end table.
“Good thinking, baby. I like it.” Madison grinned and snuggled back into him. “Kaylee, you should look loose and easy.”
“Everyone likes girls who are loose and easy, right, Colton?” Janie asked. “You sure do.”
“Har har, ass.” Madison rolled her eyes. “But I mean, go for a natural look instead of so uptight. You know, a flowy dress, your hair down, and maybe soft colors for makeup. I think that’ll work better with Ethan by your side, and the powers that be will see that you’re not always severe. You want to look powerful, but you want to save the intimidation tactics for when you need to get your way with the boys. Fragile egos are a real bitch to tiptoe around, but if you want upward mobility, it’s necessary.”
“What is it you do?” Kaylee asked, awe in her eyes.
“I’m in charge of imports for— It doesn’t matter. I don’t like my job. I make decisions that aren’t always the best for consumers. But it’s a global company, large, and upward mobility isn’t easy because they like to hire out. I’ve fought for what I have. I know what you’re going through.”
Kaylee blew out a breath, cracked open her beer, and took a long, slow sip. Her gaze flicked toward Ethan, who realized he was staring at her as fixedly as Janie had been. He ripped his eyes away from her beautiful face. A bit of creep factor worked for him, sure, but there were limits.
“Okay, well.” She rose and gingerly set the beer down on the glass coffee table. The water she kept. “I better get going. I desperately need a shower.”
Ethan stood with her, wanting to keep her there, and not knowing how. “No problem. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six thirty.” Uncertainty crossed her expression. He raised his hands. “You’ll be safe, I promise.”
Her brow furrow deepened and her smile seemed forced. “Anyway. Thanks again, everyone, for helping. I’m up against steep odds.”
“We’re better together,” Colton said.
Surprise flitted through Ethan. Colton only thought that way about the people in their tight crew. So for him so say that to Kaylee, whom they barely knew, was crazy. But when Ethan looked around at the rest of the group, no one seemed to share his shock.
“Okay. Bye. See you tomorrow, Ethan.” Kaylee was walking away before Ethan could react.
He hurried after her. “Hold on, I’ll take you home.”
“No!” She reached the door and paused for a moment. “I mean, it’s fine. Really. I’m good. I’ll just run home really quickly.”
“Swee—” He cut off the term of endearment. She was still trying to keep this professional. He had to respect that until she thawed; otherwise she might never thaw. “It’s late. You don’t know who could be wandering around out there. It’s no trouble, really.”
“Seriously, it’s—” She flinched away when he touched the top of her back. “I’ll run. Honestly, I’m good. See ya tomorrow.”
She was running toward the sidewalk before Ethan could answer.
He thought about going after her, but she was moving so fast, she’d be at her house before he could reach her in the car. And Lord knew he wasn’t going to catch her without the car. That girl had some fuel in her jetpack.
“Shit,” he muttered to himself, walking back into the house and shaking his head.
Of all the women who could have reached in and grabbed his heart, why did it have to be the one who only gave him the time of day when she was drunk? Because one thing was clear—the heat she’d shown Ethan the other night must have been alcohol-fueled. There could be no other explanation. Thank God he hadn’t buckled and let her lead him to her room. She never would have forgiven herself—or him—the next morning.
Everyone fell silent as he wandered back into the living room.
“Talking about me?” Ethan asked, sinking into the chair Kaylee had just vacated.
“Yes,” Madison said. “I think you need to be normal Ethan tomorrow. You need to go back to not taking anything seriously. When people don’t quite know how to take you, they usually err on the side of giving you whatever you want. And we want Kaylee to get that position, learn a bunch, and then leave to help Colton make his playground a huge success.”
“Way to show your cards, dude,” Janie said.
“Ah.” Ethan smiled, trying to ignore the tug he still felt to go after Kaylee. “You want her in the crew for selfish reasons.”
“What crew?” Janie asked.
The bonds that held them together were silent and invisible, which meant Janie and Madison had been integrated into the crew without realizing they were, in fact, a part of it.
“You’re into that chick, yo. It’s obvious. You’re into her hard.” Dave laughed. His head fell back on the couch and he closed his eyes. “You’re acting like this is the first crush you’ve ever had.”
“Remember Flower?” Noah asked with a smile.
“Oh yeah, Flower.” Dave opened his eyes and leaned his head up to look at Ethan. “You are acting exactly like you did with Flower. Weird and wound up and freaked out. She was your first lay, right?”
“Flower? That was someone’s name?” Janie asked.
“She was nowhere near my first lay. But first…real girlfriend, I guess you could say,” Ethan said. He hadn’t felt as strongly for a woman since.
“That means first love,” Madison said. Janie nodded.
Tingles spread across his skin and a small worm of fear worked through him.
They were right. Flower had been his first love, and he hadn’t felt strongly for another woman…until right now. This woman had hit him like a tsunami, and all he could do was hold on for the ride of his life and hope it didn’t end.
“Just be you, Ethan.” Madison nodded in assurance. “She won’t be able to resist you.”<
br />
Ten
Kaylee stood in front of the full-length mirror, trembling from head to toe. This dinner wasn’t the be-all and end-all, but it would certainly make an impression. She’d never been to a company dinner before, though they had them regularly. She hadn’t wanted to spend any more time with most of her coworkers than was absolutely necessary. But Ben had strongly encouraged her to attend this one. He’d always hinted it was important to be a team player, but this time, he’d flat-out told her that the bosses looked down on people who didn’t attend company events. If she wanted a promotion, she had to play the game.
That wasn’t why she was trembling, though. She was having a hard time getting Ethan out of her head. His manner, his eyes, and his presence…they’d stuck in her memory, surfacing at the oddest of times. No one else had ever affected her this way.
Todd, whom Ethan had boldly—and correctly—dubbed her “fuck buddy,” had called her a couple times over the past week, wanting to hook up. While her body had been on overdrive since last Friday, the mere thought of Todd entering her made her skin crawl. She didn’t want him.
She wanted Ethan. And she wanted him with a ferocity she couldn’t understand.
Every time he’d lightly touched her last night, her core had tightened to the point of pain, butterflies had fluttered through her belly, and electricity had surged through her veins. And those touches had all been simple and unassuming, not sexual. The mere act of standing next to him, close enough to feel his heat, ignited her passion in dizzying ways.
She smoothed her hair away from her face before half turning, checking the back of it in the mirror. Loose curls fell around her shoulders, thankfully not looking as crisp and layered in hair products as they actually were. Swishing her hips, she was happy to see the dress swish with her.
Like Madison had suggested, she’d chosen a light pink, swishy dress, going super girly to contrast the strong, powerful, and rugged vibe she knew Ethan would project. She had the feeling he wouldn’t shave for the occasion, leaving a dusting of the hot stubble that bent his attractiveness into even deeper masculine waters.
She shook out her hands. It would take all her willpower not to run a hand up that hard, divine chest. Or down his back and over his sculpted butt. But there was no way in hell she would embarrass herself again. She would not be another one of his fan club—the ones fawning all over him on his social media pages and the BD website. She had to maintain some level of pride, for Jiminy’s sake.
The doorbell chimed. The butterflies in her stomach turned rabid and her upchuck reflex went into overdrive.
Swallowing hard, she took a deep breath and forced herself to walk downstairs slowly. At the front door, she took her time, cranking over the deadbolt and then slowly opening the door.
The air dried up in her lungs at the sight of him. There he stood, wearing snug black slacks, a black jacket with the buttons open, a white dress shirt—three buttons undone—and no tie. His posture was relaxed, like she’d come to expect from him, and he looked the part of a wealthy jet setter who traveled the world from beach to beach.
He would stick out like a sore thumb. He was the exact opposite of every other person they would see at the dinner.
She loved that about him.
“Hi,” she said, the word riding a heavy sigh as she met those brilliant green, heavy-lidded eyes.
Yes, he belonged at a beach, with a canopied bed very close by.
His eyes raked down her body and stopped on her shoes. A small smile tugged at his lips. “You wore flats.”
She turned back to the table near the entranceway to grab her clutch. When she turned back, he was right there, invading her space. The butterflies started eating through her stomach lining.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but I can’t decide if you are more stunning this instant,” he said in a low, deep tone, “or last night, when you looked like a hot mess.”
A toneless word quivered out of her lips, taking no shape. It was just a random sound relaying how nervous, and aroused, and freaking affected she was by this man.
“Shall we go?” he whispered, his breath, peppermint and spice, falling around her. His cologne hit her next, mouthwatering and fantastic.
Did women ever say no to Ethan? She didn’t think they did. That they could. She certainly wouldn’t be able to. She’d do whatever he wanted of her, no questions asked. It wouldn’t matter that she didn’t take orders very well, or that she was afraid of giving anyone else control. For Ethan, she’d willingly make an exception. Maybe even tell him, Yes, sir. The kiss, and this moment, cemented that fact for her.
“Yes,” she said. Then gulped.
He stepped back and to the side so she could lead him out of the door.
A cool breeze hit her as she stepped outside, erasing his heat, and clearing her mind of his delicious smell.
“Flats…” She frowned, trying to figure out what she had been about to say regarding flats before his nearness had banished her half-formed thought.
“I’m surprised,” he said. “I dominate you with my size.”
Delectable shivers coated her body. Forget yes, sir. How about yes, please, sir.
“Flats,” she said again, trying desperately to cling to sanity.
She cleared her throat and pushed his body away. She had to think, and that was impossible with him so close. He laughed, an effortlessly erotic sound.
It would be a very, very long night.
“Yes, I decided to take Madison’s advice. I chose the flats and this dress to look feminine and approachable,” she finally said. “I’m going for pretty instead of foreboding.”
“You never look foreboding. You look intoxicating.”
She turned the key in her front door and flicked the deadbolt over. He gave the absolute best compliments of any man she’d ever met. “I’m relying on you to pick up where I leave off. I’m soft and feminine for the night, and you are hard and rough and masculine. Thank you for not shaving. The five o’clock shadow helps.”
“I hate shaving.” He put his hand on the small of her back. Electricity zinged through her body. “Madison told me to be me. This is me.”
“I like you.” It was said before she realized it. “I meant—”
“I like you too. So do my friends. So that’s a nice start to a long relationship.”
She laughed, since that was what you did when someone told a joke, but she couldn’t ignore the shivers. The desire for his admission to be true.
Dare to dream.
She pushed the crazy thought away. She had hired him. Sort of. The normal rules didn’t apply.
“This is a huge risk,” she said, getting back to business, “my dressing like this and bringing someone like you. I feel it. It will either go very well, or they will not like the reminder that I lack a penis.”
He shrugged as they stopped in front of the passenger door of his car. He pulled it open. “So you don’t get it—so what? Make a lateral move to a place where they’ll actually appreciate you. You are driven, intelligent, and determined. People like you are rewarded for your hard work. You have only the best of things in your future, because you won’t stop at no.”
Warm fuzzies filled her as she sat in the car. “You’re worth the price of admission,” she said, and meant it.
He closed her door, then came around to the driver’s side. “The price? You mean, dealing with my creepy qualities and the craziness of my friends?”
“Yes, exactly. Those things.”
“Janie will be painting you, by the way. I could tell from the way she was looking at you last night. You’ll have to ask her to change your face a bit if you don’t want people hanging you on their walls.”
“Me?” Kaylee laughed as he pulled the car away from the curb. “No one is going to buy my face.”
“You’ll see.” That was all he said as they headed out of her neighborhood.
“So…” She glanced over, meeting his gaze for a second.
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He smiled and reached over, taking her hand and entwining their fingers. “You’re nervous. Why?”
Because you make me nervous.
“This is a big deal.”
His big thumb stroked her skin. “It is only as big of a deal as you let it be. Look at me. I’m as cool as they come.”
“You’re always as cool as they come.”
“No. Not lately.” He turned then merged onto the freeway. “Do you have any instructions for me, or shall I play it by ear? The alpha lap dog is at your disposal.”
She smiled. “I think we’ll just play it by ear. Like I said, I’m not sure how this is going to go.”
Eleven
Ethan pulled up in front of the valet stand at the familiar restaurant where they’d had their first unofficial date. He walked around the car, in no hurry, and got to her door just in time to help her out. He curled his arm around her waist and waited for the valet to hand him a ticket.
“Thanks,” Ethan said, moving forward with her.
Dinners like this were a cakewalk. He’d been to so many, he could click on autopilot and breeze through. Usually, he told the women he escorted how beautiful they were, over and over again—and while his impulse to do so tonight came from a natural, honest place, he knew she’d be more impressed if he complimented the various aspects of her life that she rocked at.
If only he knew more about her. She was still a big black hole of information. He was enamored by her, but that wasn’t enough. Not nearly. He wanted to know everything, from her first memories to the accomplishments that she was the proudest of. He wished he could’ve started off their acquaintance earlier, so he’d have that information at the ready to help her shine tonight. Bragging about a girl in a bro-to-bro kind of way got the information heard.
“I’ve never been to one of these, so we might flounder a little at first,” she said in a low tone as they walked toward the door.
“I got you.” Ethan opened the door for her and let his hand slide down to her lower back, ushering her in. “I’ll need to touch you in a familiar way tonight,” he murmured as he moved in closer. “Trust me that I won’t take advantage of the situation. If you ever feel uncomfortable, just let me know.”
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