Evergreen

by Jessica Florence

  I did a lot of my work at home. If anyone were watching me, it would seem odd and blow my cover if I was pulling up to the FBI building every day, so I tried to stay away as much as I could. With the case I was working, it was a pretty easy maneuver to pull. Traffic at seven a.m. was never too bad. I made it to my apartment shortly and eased into my parking spot. After opening the door, I made my way toward the shower that was calling my name.

  After the shower I got dressed, grabbed my laptop, and settled on my balcony overlooking the bay.

  The view was a change from what I’d had growing up in a shitty area of town, where the beach was only for special occasions. And the military hadn’t really provided me with great views either. I had wanted to get out of my home so badly that I’d joined the Marines as soon as I turned eighteen. I had done my time for five years, and then I’d joined the FBI.

  I loved my job. I opened up the browser and checked into headquarters. Checking emails was boring, and the paperwork was lame, but it was all part of a day’s work.

  I looked at the time and decided I needed a break.

  I needed to know who Andi was. I hadn’t forgotten about her, and though she might think that we would never see each other again, I wasn’t going to let her get away. I pulled a few hacker skills out and decided to do a facial scan. I hacked into the cameras at the club and searched till I found her face. It didn’t take me long; then I ran her face through the program. It would search the DMV’s database until it found a match. Stalkerish? Maybe a little, but screw it. I had skills, and I was going to damn well use them. Plus I had to make sure she wasn’t some criminal. Looks could be deceiving; she looked sweet as hell but could be up to no good. Who knew nowadays?

  BINGO!

  Andi Slaton, twenty-four years old. Lived and owned a business by the bay. Had a brother in the service, a mom that lived with her second husband in Hawaii, and a dad that was a CEO in Tampa.

  Good information. I found myself wanting to know more about her. Stupid. I just needed to find her, make good on my promise, and get the hell out. I sat there and came up with a plan to make that happen.

  CHAPTER 4

  Andi

  “I’ve known Nikki for a long time now. I have never been so happy for her as I have been since she found her soul mate, sexy Zachary.” Everyone giggled at that part of my speech.

  “I read something the other day, and I found it perfect, so if you’ll bear with me, I’m going to read this to you. ‘We’re all a little weird, and life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness, and we call it love.’

  “Now all of you know how this fits Nikki and Zachary. They are those weird teachers that actually like teaching kids. They strive to make every day a special day. I am so happy that I am blessed to know them. And I can’t wait to see what cute, nerdy kids they have. Congrats, guys!”

  I blew them a kiss and drank my champagne. Everyone cheered at the happy couple.

  Their ceremony had been beautiful: a sunset wedding on the beach. Of course, being May in Florida, it had been beautiful; we wouldn’t get any rain for a few more weeks.

  Now we were celebrating in a beautiful warehouse-type building that Nikki had decorated very modern chic. Beautiful shells lined tables covered with turquoise tablecloths. The speeches were done, and the DJ cranked up the music. Everyone was laughing and having the time of their lives. Nikki and her new husband were acting like goofs on the dance floor. I loved them.

  “Great speech. I bet you dance as lovely as you talk.”

  I turned toward that voice and was regretfully disappointed. A handsome man with blond hair and hazel eyes was looking at me. They weren’t the eyes that had kept me up all night.

  I’d thought of my mystery man over and over, wishing I had dropped him my number or something. Tampa was a big city; I doubted he would be able to find me.

  I put on my best smile and answered politely. “Why don’t you ask me and find out?” I challenged.

  He smiled. He was good-looking, nice build. He had a nice smile, perfect white teeth, and nice lips.

  On the outside I looked interested, but on the inside I was screaming for another.

  “If you insist. May I have this dance?”

  He was a gentleman. He held out his hand for me. I accepted it, and he led us to the dance floor. The song was sweet and slow. He brought me closer and placed a hand around my waist; then we started to move.

  “So, maid of honor, what’s your name?”

  I found it nice that he started the conversation. Some men, once they had you, they didn’t know what to do with you.

  “Andi Slaton, and you?”

  He spun me around and brought me back to him. He was a very nice dancer.

  “Gavin McDaniels. And before you ask for my background check, I help run my family’s business. I am twenty-five years old, and I have lived in Tampa for 10 years, previously from Miami. My heart is for the Dolphins, not the Bucs. I have no girlfriend, two dogs, and a perfect credit score.”

  I laughed at his statement. He was funny, that was for sure. He kept on smiling at me; he seemed pleased he’d made me laugh.

  “Well, you forgot the blood test and the promise of your firstborn,” I teased.

  He let out a little chuckle. This was fun.

  “Well, I’ll have to get back to you on the blood test. And I promise to let you have my firstborn.” He winked at me.

  Oh Lord.

  I shook my head as we continued to dance. As soon as the song was over he let me go.

  “I very much enjoyed my dance, but if you will excuse me, I promised myself to another special lady.”

  He winked, and I watched him walk over to a little girl and start dancing. This man was good.

  I saw Nikki approach me, obvious curiosity in her eyes. I rolled mine, knowing what was coming.

  “I see you met Gavin. Sweet guy, right?” she hinted.

  “He is sweet,” I agreed.

  “I told him a little information about you, and that you owned The Sweet Life.”

  She backed up a little after that confession. Good thing too, I probably would have smacked her.

  “Nikki, you suck.”

  She just shrugged. “He’s a friend of Zachary’s dad. Businessmen.” She looked at me like that excused everything.

  I knew that statement well. My dad was a big shot around here. He ran these big casino hotels all over Florida, so he pretty much got whatever he wanted and invited whomever he wanted to whatever party.

  “Still, you shouldn’t have told him my info.”

  My phone rang, interrupting me from laying it on thicker with her. Which probably was a good thing, since it was her wedding.

  I pulled my phone out of the convenient little pocket in my bridesmaid’s dress and answered immediately. “Rachel?”

  Nikki blew me a kiss and scurried off to find her groom.

  “Hey, Andi, I was just checking in to let you know all the babies are fine. Turnip played hard and is wiped out. And Vince just ate and is happy.”

  Love bloomed in my chest.

  “Thanks, Rachel. I’m thinking about heading out soon. Going into work a little early in the morning so you can head out. Thank you, hun!”

  We said our goodbyes, and I hung up. I decided to stay another thirty minutes at the wedding and then head home.

  My babies came rushing to the door to greet me as soon as I walked in.

  Turnip had been abused by his last owner and had lost a leg. You wouldn’t guess that he’d had a horrible life; he was one of the sweetest dogs you would ever meet.

  And Vince, Vince was my handsome German Shepherd. He was such a beautiful dog, but sadly nobody else had wanted him. He’d been born with canine megaesophagus, a medical condition in which the muscles of the esophagus failed and were unable to propel food or water into the stomach. No one had been willing to give my special needs boy a chance. I’d falle
n in love and had brought him home the day I met him. I’d gotten him a special chair to sit in, kind of like a high chair, that he could eat from and not have to vomit afterward.

  We hugged and loved each other; then they went back to their beds to sleep.

  I turned off all the lights Rachel had left on and got ready for bed. I passed out within ten minutes.

  The sounds of whining woke me up early in the morning. As I opened my eyes, I saw my doggies staring at me. I rolled over and looked at the time. Six a.m. Well, at least they were on time. I almost never needed an alarm. They always let me know when it was time to get moving. I rolled out of bed, let the dogs out into the fenced-in backyard, and started getting ready for the day.

  Thirty minutes later I was showered, dressed, and fed, and I had taken care of the dogs. I was ready to head to work and get my little shop open. Vince and Turnip waited patiently as I opened the door to the car so that they could climb in.

  I took them to work with me almost every day. They usually hung out in my office, but sometimes they walked around. Everyone loved it. They said it gave my place a homey feel.

  We got to the shop in no time, and as soon as we walked inside, I got to work. Firing up the oven, I started making fresh batches of pastries for the morning rush. Just as I finished putting everything in its spot for viewing, Dallas walked in.

  Dallas was my employee, and she was fantastic. She was an interesting character though. Her hair color changed every week, her makeup was always done with colors to match, and she preferred the punk style for her petite figure. But she did her job, and she did it well.

  “There is a nice line out there this morning. Are you debuting the Tampa Romeo today?” she asked as she wrapped an apron around her waist.

  I nodded excitedly.

  “Go let them in. Everything is ready,” I told her.

  I’d opened up my little shop three years ago, and it had been the best decision of my life. I’d named it the Sweet Life and served pastries and candies. People could come in and get their stuff to go, or they could hang out in some of my little tables and chairs. It was a huge hit! I was doing what I loved, and people loved what I did. I made custom cupcakes, Danishes, donuts, muffins, and—of course!—chocolates and other sweet candies.

  As soon as Dallas opened the door people start flooding in, and I got right to work taking orders.

  In what seemed like only seconds, three hours passed. We were starting to slow down. Everyone had gotten their before-work snacks. Now it was mostly the retirees that were sitting at the little tables and enjoying their stuff.

  I sat down at a stool behind the counter and took a breather. Turnip decided he wanted to come out and say hello. I smiled and reached down to pet him behind his ears.

  “Cute little guy you got there.”

  I looked up into the familiar face that had spoken to me.

  CHAPTER 5

  Ryder

  “What the fuck!” I stared in confusion at what I was seeing.

  I had decided I would catch up with the woman of my fantasies this morning. So I’d driven over to her little shop, Sweet Life—it fit her.

  Candy Tease. I had laughed about it until I saw her through the window of her shop. She was talking with a guy. And not just any guy. A guy I would recognize anywhere.

  Gavin fucking Skeller.

  Draco Skeller’s son. Sometimes he went by Gavin McDaniels if he didn’t want people to know his association to his father. He could be sneakier that way with their deals, plus no one thought to use him against his dad. He was a snake-like son of a bitch.

  What the hell was he doing here talking to her?

  I wanted to throw open the door and knock his ass out for talking to delicious Andi. But I had to stay anonymous to him. I couldn’t get on his radar.

  Damn it! I felt helpless.

  I decided to sit at a little table outside her shop under an umbrella. I casually glanced in without giving away that I was watching with interest. Gavin was obviously flirting with Andi. I couldn’t tell if she was enjoying it or not. I didn’t see the same fire in her eyes that she’d had when I’d been around her, but I wasn’t that close.

  She looked just as good in regular clothing as she had in her little corset outfit. She was wearing tight jeans and an orange short-sleeve shirt. The shirt hugged her body perfectly. Her hair was up in a ponytail. She had a little waist that flowed into nice hips. Her chest was just under a handful but perfect for lavishing on with your tongue. God, I couldn’t wait to have her.

  But first I had to figure out what was happening with Gavin.

  He bought something and handed her what looked like his business card. I scoffed at that. What would his card have on it?

  Gavin McDaniels. Owner of family drug business. No emails, cash only. No soliciting.

  She smiled and accepted his card, then watched as he walked away.

  Toward the door.

  That I was by.

  I turned my head down and touched my hand to my forehead to cover my eyes, just in case. He didn’t even look my way. He was too busy thinking about Andi as he walked off toward the parking lot.

  As soon as he pulled onto the road, I stood up and made my way inside. I needed to see her face.

  She didn’t noticed me walking toward her. She was bent over on the other side of the counter, her perfect ass on display. If she were mine, I would have run my hands up her thighs and over the curves displayed before me. Great, now I was going to be talking to her with a hard-on. Hopefully she wouldn’t notice.

  She picked up whatever was on the floor and turned around. Her eyes widened as they settled on me. Her mouth parted as she gazed at my body. I stood a little taller, letting her look her fill before I spoke.

  “Hi,” I smirked.

  She was still stunned.

  “Hi yourself.” Her voice was unsure.

  I took my eyes away from her and looked around. “Nice place. It fits you.”

  I walked over to her display and checked out her baked goods. “Good selection. Do you make all these yourself?” I was trying to help break the ice.

  She smiled and looked at her work. “Yes, uh, I did. I’m sorry, I am just surprised to see you.”

  She walked closer to me and stretched her hand out. “I’m Andi Slaton.”

  I took her hand in mine, feeling a shock of ecstasy pulse from her. It shot straight down my body.

  “Ryder King.”

  She seemed reluctant to let go of my hand but she did. I didn’t want to push her.

  “So, you found me.” Her face turned red with blush.

  “I did. What’s my prize?” I teased her.

  She looked so flustered, it made me want to mess with her more, to push her. She looked around. Then her gaze stayed stuck on mine.

  “What do you want?”

  Her voice was breathless, and as much as I wanted to take her right then and there, I chose another path. “I’ll take a blueberry muffin.”

  I winked at her. Her face broke into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. I wanted to do anything to keep her smiling like that. She was a mystery. I wanted to know everything about her.

  “Sounds good. Why don’t you go sit down? I’ll get your muffin and join you.” She sauntered off behind the counter, giving me a view of her spectacular ass swaying away.

  I laughed to myself and picked a spot to sit. A petite, punk-looking girl walked out from the back, and her eyes widened when she saw me. She walked over to Andi and whispered to her—obviously something about me. I just sent the girl a smirk as she kept her eyes on me while talking to Andi.

  Andi shook her head and walked toward me with a little muffin on a plate.

  “Here you go, one blueberry muffin.” She set it down and then sat down in the chair across from me.

  “Thank you.” I nodded and took a bite. A groan came up from my chest. “Holy hell, woman.”

  I moaned as I devoured the muffin. She smiled with a hint of blush at me.


  “That was the best muffin I have ever had. Fuck, you are a goddess.”

  I already craved more. My mouth was salivating for her baked goods—and for her.

  She let out a little giggle. “I’m glad you liked it. Baking is a passion of mine.”

  She got a little glow in her eyes. Then the sound of nails clicking on the floor took my gaze from her. I saw a beautiful German Shepherd walking toward us.

  I must have looked a little confused because Andi spoke up.

  “This is Vince. He’s one of the special men in my life.” She looked at Vince and rubbed behind his ears.

  The obvious admiration in his eyes turned to curiosity when he looked at me. I put my hand out under his head for him to sniff me. He did, then licked my hand.

  “Sweet boy.” I rubbed his head, giving him attention.

  I looked back up to Andy; she was smiling. I really liked that smile. “So, Andi, do you wear tutus often?”

  She laughed. “Nope, that was all for my friend Nikki’s bachelorette party. Her wedding was yesterday. I do wear the corset while I’m baking late at night though.”

  She winked at me. My dick instantly hardened. Again. Oh boy.

  “Well, that is something.”

  I was at a loss for words thinking about her in a sexy little number. Red corset with lace panties and heels. That red hair of hers lifted up high showing off her neck and shoulders. Perfect place to lick up and down.

  “So, Ryder, do you stalk girls often?” she teased.

  “Only the ones who wear cotton candy lip gloss.”

  She shook her head.

  “Hey, Andi, I’m gonna go grab something from my car, and I think Turnip needs more food,” the punk girl said as she sauntered off through the back.

  The Sweet Life was definitely an easygoing place. Its owner seemed very at home with it that way. I watched Andi shake her head.

  “Would you like to meet Turnip, the other special man in my life?” She stood up.

  “Show me the way.”

  I stood up and followed her when she turned and walked toward the back of the store. She was putting on a little show for me with her hips as she walked. My body flared with desire for her. Oh hell, she was going to be a handful.