Set Up (Taking Chances Book 1)

by TC Matson

  “Any of them single? I have a friend.” Humor glints from his beautiful eyes.

  “Unfortunately, no. And I think that’s the reason they’re trying to push me to be with someone. I guess because they’re happy being in love, they want me to be the same. Like a threesome.” I lift my drink to my lips before I realize what I said. “No! Wait. Not like…No.”

  His laugh, his deep, rumbly, sexy as hell laugh causes heat to spread all over me. The way his jaw shifts, pulling his cheeks up and lighting his eyes, is drool worthy. I could listen to him laugh for the rest of my life.

  Trying to stop the drool from slipping past my lips, I shift it back to him. “Why are you single, Nathan? What kind of skeletons do you have in your closet?”

  His lips tighten as he shakes his head. “Because I’m a busy man and I won’t just settle for anyone. Am I lonely? Absolutely not. Occasionally I have fun nights. But only one woman has met my mother in the past ten years. The rest didn’t fit the bill. No skeletons in my closet. I’m not a past murderer. I’m not still reeling over a heartbreak. And no one has dirt on me.” He tips his chin. “Your turn.”

  I puff a giggle. We’re back to speed dating but the awkwardness from earlier is gone. “I deserve a man who wows me and is deserving of my heart. Therefore, I won’t settle. If I don’t feel anything, I don’t waste everyone’s time. The only skeletons in my closet are from when I was ten and stole tulips from our neighbor’s yard to give to my mother. She had been sick all week, flu I think, and I missed her smile. As for heartbreak, four years ago the guy I had been dating for two years changed course in his life and we didn’t mesh anymore. We split amicably and went about our merry ways.”

  A devilish grin spreads across his lips. “Did your mother smile?”

  “Yes.” I grin back. “And the next day she was up and about the house. I’d like to think it was the power of her stolen flowers.”

  Our stuffed salmon arrives and holy guacamole does it smell divine. The first bite sends me onto cloud nine while I experience one of the best mouthgasms in my life.

  “This is the best salmon I’ve ever had,” I say around my bite.

  “It’s why I chose the place. I come here a lot.”

  My eyes flick up to him. “Please tell me this isn’t where you bring your ‘occasionals’?”

  His gaze laughs at me. “Only Cody.”

  “How long have you two been friends?”

  Nathan takes a breath looking to his drink. “I can’t remember a life without the asshole.”

  “Sounds like you two are close.”

  “We are. He’s like a brother to me. We also work together, so I can’t really shake him.” He lifts his glass to his mouth and pauses. “How many Insta-Dates have you been on so far?”

  “One,” I don’t lie.

  I catch the flex in his jaw. “How’d it go?”

  “He was fun.” I keep it vague.

  “Will you be going out with him again?”

  “When I get off work Friday. It’ll be a late dinner I guess.”

  He only nods.

  “Why’d it take you so long? Was it because Cody picked me too?”

  Wow. Really?

  He shakes his head. “No. Like I said, I’m a busy man. I had business to attend to all week, and since I wasn’t able to avoid thinking of you, I decided to contact you. I thoroughly enjoyed our quick five minutes and was left needing more of your stunning personality.”

  “Stunning personality and not my pretty eyes?” I bat my lashes. “Oh, you woo me, Nathan.”

  He chuckles. “One day you’ll understand.”

  “How about tonight?” I suggest.

  He gives his head a slight shake. “Not a conversation for tonight.”

  I don’t really want to drop the subject, but since he’s resistant toward it, I do and focus on the main reason why we’re here. “So am I supposed to go on a date with Cody or not?”

  He wets his lips. “That’s up to you.”

  “You said it should be in a public place…” I trail it off.

  He chuckles. “Cody is…well, he likes women.”

  “Bro code stopped you short.” I snort and he laughs. “I’m assuming since he’s focused on you, he wouldn’t mess with me. I could be wrong. You know him better.”

  “Your assumptions would be correct. But since I’ve made it clear I don’t have the time, if Cody likes what he sees, he’ll do as he pleases.” He pushes his chair back. “I need to get going. I have an early morning. Can I walk you to your car?”

  Disappointment runs through me. I’m not ready for it to end. Something about him, the pull between us, I want to get to know him better. But unfortunately, the main reason why he’s single is the same reason why he’s cutting it short—work.

  “I’m a block away,” I tell him.

  “I’ll walk you.”

  After paying, we head out and down the sidewalk.

  “Are we still on for Thursday?” I ask.

  His hands are in his pockets, his shoulders pulled back and head held high when he glances down at me. “If you’d like to, I’d love to.”

  The response has butterflies fluttering in my stomach and I can’t help but smile widely at him. Our gazes lock for a fraction of a second and my heart slaps my chest as a giddy feeling takes over me. He blinks away quickly, looking back in front of us and stealing the staggering feeling in my stomach.

  He pulls open my car door. “I had a good time tonight.”

  “I did too.”

  He smiles, his gaze trained on mine, and all those feelings come rushing back. The air in my lungs feels thick, and my knees feel weak as the pull between us crackles. His eyes dip to my lips and excitement zips through me at the thought of him kissing me.

  “Good night, Brooklyn,” he says, his voice deep and low.

  “Good night,” I exhale.

  I watch in dismay as he walks away. Without a kiss. What the hell?

  FIVE

  The small diner near Shyla’s house knows us by name and meal. Every Wednesday we come here for a girls’ night, the wine, and their dinner special. Tonight is chicken fried steak with gravy and mashed potatoes. It’s delicious. This has been our ritual for a few years now, time away from their other halves to talk about them and my time to enjoy it.

  “How should I go about talking to William about anal?” Aimee asks.

  Shyla and I choke and sputter on our wine.

  “Do what?” Shyla croaks. “Where the hell did that come from?”

  Aimee laughs. “Just making sure I have your attention.”

  I wipe my mouth with my napkin. “The conversation we’ve been holding didn’t give that away?”

  She leans closer to the middle of the table. “I think William is planning on proposing.”

  “What gives you that idea?” I ask.

  “Isn’t this the same thought you had last year?”

  Dismissing Shyla’s question, she flicks her hand. “Yes. But I was reading into the wrong clues. This time I’m certain. He’s been pulling later hours. He’s told me that he’s always wanted to get me a ring I deserve, so surely he’s preparing to buy one. Right?”

  “He already makes good money. Why pull late hours?” Shyla asks the obvious.

  “Big ring?” Aimee responds.

  “Doesn’t he know you’re not materialistic?” I ask.

  “What girl doesn’t like big things?” She waggles her brows. “Speaking of big things, don’t you have a date with the hottie tomorrow?”

  The question awakens my nerves. I’ve been anxious about seeing Nathan again. “Yes.”

  The date is the only thing I can think of lately.

  She smiles. “You two seem to be hitting it off.”

  I don’t respond.

  “What about Declan?” Shyla asks. “You have one with him Friday too. Don’t you?”

  “I do.” I nod.

  Aimee’s smile grows into a huge grin. “I’m so glad you went. Look at you wi
th all these good-looking men wanting to be in your life.”

  I roll my eyes. “I’ll have you know I haven’t slept well since that stupid speed dating event. It’s screwed up my peaceful balance.”

  Aimee tosses her head back and giggles. “You’ll be happy, possibly sated, and walking around madly in love. You’ll be balanced soon.”

  “I was fine single.”

  “You’ll be finer taken.” Aimee winks over her wine glass.

  Shyla cracks up. “What a comeback.”

  Aimee lifts her shoulder. “Sounded good.”

  * * *

  I’m losing my mind when I get off work. I rushed home to get ready for my date with Nathan—the official date—and I’m a frantic mess. I’m nervous and excited, freaking the hell out and extremely eager. My pull to Nathan is potent. It wakes up my insides, makes my body react in wild ways, and scrambles my mind. Men don’t make me jumbled up. I’m always quick witted, but with Nathan, it’s as if I struggle to keep my senses.

  He texted me around lunch and told me to dress comfortably and casually. After the rush was over, I asked him what the plans were so I could get a better idea of what to wear, but he only replied with “relaxed.” So that’s exactly what I do. I’m in jeans with a pretty maroon off the shoulder top. Let’s just pray his relaxed is the same as mine.

  Because I’m a single woman, I don’t allow men that I date to know where I live right off the bat. It’s not that I don’t trust Nathan, but have you ever watched the Investigation ID channel? It’ll have you second guessing everyone, including your local public librarian. So I’ve resorted to meeting him at a restaurant downtown.

  This time I’m ten minutes early and have already found a parking spot right beside the building. As I approach the entrance, I spot my date looking handsome in jeans and a navy blue shirt that sucks tightly against his chest as he leans against the brick façade. He grins when he sees me and it sends my pulse into triple speed.

  “Hey,” he says, not sounding nervous at all. Unlike me. “You’re on time,” he teases.

  My laugh only exposes my nervousness. “I am. Thursdays aren’t as busy as Tuesdays apparently.”

  The place feels romantic—dim lights, soft music and our table has a small candle in the middle. We each order a glass of red wine and it takes no time for the waiter to bring them. Thank god. My nerves are running amok and I need the red liquid courage.

  “You look beautiful,” he says over the rim of his glass before taking a sip.

  The way he’s looking at me, warmth pooling around his mahogany shaded eyes, has heat pulsing through my body. My cheeks flush and I drop my head, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you.”

  Should I tell him he’s mouth-watering? That I want to run my hands up the hem of his shirt and feel his body against my palms?

  Jesus, I’m buckling. He makes me want to ditch my morals and dignity and throw myself at him over the table. I just want to run my hands over his jaw, feel his scruff against my fingers.

  Shaking the images out of my head, I offer a flirty smile. “I don’t know what I like you in the most—jeans or a suit.”

  My statement brings out his devilish smirk. “I look good in both, huh?”

  “So far you’ve made everything you wear look good.”

  The waiter comes and we order our meals. After he leaves, Nathan leans his forearms on the table. “What made you decide to become a pharmacy technician?”

  “In high school, I took one of those career quizzes where it helps narrow down career paths based off your personality. It opened up a ton of ideas I had never thought about, one being a tech. I enjoy helping people and making a difference, and I don’t do well with the clinicals of nursing, so a tech is what I chose. I truly love my job.”

  A smile teases his lips. “A soft heart… What do you do for fun?”

  I worry on my lip before taking a swallow of my wine. I titter, rolling my eyes to the ceiling. “You’re going to think I’m a total bore. I enjoy reading and prefer to curl up with a good book over mostly anything. Wednesdays Shyla, Aimee, and I go to a little diner and hang out.”

  “You’re in a constant state of decompression. I’ll admit. I’m a bit envious.”

  I puff a giggle under my breath. “That’s a new way to describe it. What about you? What do you do to decompress?”

  The food is set in front of us and he lifts his fork before he answers.

  “I run every weekend with Cody. Other than that, I sit in my living room in complete silence while enjoying a glass of whiskey.”

  “Now I see why you think my fun is interesting,” I tease.

  The way he smiles at me has my chest tightening again. He’s devastatingly handsome with a boyish charm. He oozes confidence and power, but it’s not uncomfortable. In fact, it’s comforting.

  SIX

  I don’t want this date to end. Brooklyn is enthralling with brown eyes the color of espresso, a smile that’s sweet and sexy, and a laugh that twitches my cock. Her personality has different sides. She’s funny, outgoing and outspoken one minute and then the next she’ll drop her head full of shyness. She’s sexy as fuck and alluring as ever.

  She makes me want again. Want to get to know her. Want to taste her. Want to be with her.

  The want is so intense and potent that it’s slowly taking over me.

  After settling the check and walking outside, I hatch a plan—a diversion from the end so I can spend just a little more time with her. I’m certain she feels the extraordinary pull between our bodies just as I do.

  Shoving my hands into my pockets, I peek down at her with a smirk. “Option A or option B?”

  Those beautiful eyes glance up to me with bewilderment. “Options? For what?”

  “Well…I’m not ready for this date to end. Unless you are?”

  She sinks her teeth into the pouty bottom lip and she shakes her head.

  This is her shy side.

  “Option A or option B?” I repeat, not giving her hints to anything.

  She looks toward the night sky, pondering before she flashes a smile back to me. “B.”

  Thank fuck. I nod my head for her to follow. I’ve got nothing planned, no ideas, but I don’t care if we end up on the bench in the park as long as I’m spending more time with her so we can get to know each other better. As we continue to walk the block, the bowling alley appears like a godsend and I jump on it. I turn into the parking lot with Brooklyn beside me.

  “Bowling?” Her awe beams from her. “I haven’t been bowling in years.”

  “Neither have I,” I admit. “It’ll be fun.”

  After we grab our shoes and our bowling balls, we make our way to our lane and get ready. Brooklyn enters our names as I finish tying my laces and place my shoes under the plastic seat.

  Looking up, I crack up at our names. “Beauty and the hunk?”

  She lifts a shoulder. “If you want to be the beauty, I’m okay with it.”

  This is her outgoing side.

  I flash her a grin. “You’re definitely the beauty.” I tip my chin toward the lane. “Beauty first.”

  She poses, standing with the ball in front of her, knees bent, that impeccable ass of hers right in my line of sight. She takes a few steps and then flings the ball, sending it roaring down the lane and slamming into the seven pin.

  She turns, her pretty face screwed up tight. “Practice shot. That one doesn’t count.” Her laugh is melodic. “I hope you know you’re getting your ass kicked.”

  Smirking, I arch a brow, a little dubious of her threat. “Is that so?”

  “Yep,” she chirps and grabs her ball when it springs up from the return. She poses again and sends it slinging down the lane, knocking all the pins down.

  Her arms shoot above her head. “Spare!” she shouts and then does a little sashay, her lithe hips swaying back and forth on the way back to her seat. She folds her fingers toward her and blows on her fingertips. “I’ve still got it.”

&n
bsp; I chuckle, grabbing my bowling ball, and send it down the lane for a “Strike!” I mock her little show, throwing my hands above my head and doing a ridiculous attempt at her triumphant dance.

  She crosses her arms over her chest and purses her lips out in a cute pout. “Beginner’s luck.”

  I spread my arm out gesturing for her to continue her turn. “Show me how it’s done, Beauty.”

  Seven frames later and she’s up by ten. Her sexy mouth and her little dances with her hips swaying are extremely distracting.

  Suddenly the lights kick off and then black lights flicker on, illuminating the room. Bright greens, yellows, and pinks glow in the darkness. Brooklyn’s eyes are wide, full of astonishment as she looks around, taking in the room. Her mouth is parted with her hands to her chest. She’s beaming.

  “I’ve never been to a nighttime bowl,” she says over the music.

  Her words are mixed with excitement and it tightens something deep in my chest and causes my pride to swell. “Glad I can bring you something new. Maybe now I’ll be able to win.”

  Her eyes flicker when she laughs. “In your dreams.”

  In my dreams she’s wearing a sexy blue teddy with lace barely covering her nipples and plunging down to her torso, wrapping around her hips.

  I shake the dirty thoughts, just as she hits another strike. The crashing sound echoes in the already loud area. Shit. I’m on my feet waiting at the ledge and watching her do a little moon walk victory dance. She isn’t paying a lick of attention as she backs toward me and I don’t move although I know she’s about to run into me.

  I want to feel her body.

  Her back hits my chest. She spins and stumbles into me, her hands pressing against my chest, and I clutch her hips to help stabilize her. Since she’s on the step she’s more on my eye level, her face mere inches away. Our gazes lock. A current of energy races through me and ricochets between us. I can’t hear the music any longer as I’m completely lost in her eyes.

  Her breath hitches, her mouth parts as she sweeps her tongue along her bottom lip, glistening the pink skin. My dick grows tight against my jeans.