He’s probably busy, which is for the best. I have an early morning ahead and even though I want the distraction tonight, I certainly don't have time for it.
Chapter Three
Cade
It’s Friday afternoon, and since I'm not due at the restaurant until later today, I decide to drop in on my brother and see what he's doing for lunch. Mainly because I want to make sure he has everything mapped out for our meeting with the lawyers on Monday. I never have to worry about him though. With his type-A personality, he's probably had everything ready for several days now.
The law firm is quiet since most of the lawyers leave early on Fridays if they can swing it. Not my brother though, he’s almost always here. Work, work, work is his motto. The higher-ups don't even come in on Fridays. Apparently the secretary isn't here either, since the front desk where she's supposed to be is currently unoccupied. I know this building like the back of my hand, so I make my way down to the end of the corridor and knock on the slightly ajar door. As it creaks opens, two sets of eyes peer up at me.
“Mind if I join the party?” I say by way of greeting. Sloan and Asher both get up to greet me with brotherly hugs and smiles. We see each other almost every day, but our mom ingrained in us early on you always greet and say goodbye to family as if it's the last time you're going to see them alive. Mom's a bit on the dramatic side.
“Hey man, what are you doing here?” Asher asks, before I can ask him the same question. I keep forgetting Ash is setting up his office in this building now. A small business moved out on the second floor and Gramps let him rent it out at a discounted rate until he can build up his clientele.
“Thought I'd come drag Sloan's ass out of this office for a late lunch, otherwise he'd never eat. What's your excuse?” Sloan just rolls his eyes at my remark, but Asher laughs, knowing what I say is true. The man is a workaholic. I always find it funny when my brothers are in the same room together. The two of them are so different. Sloan is easily the most driven of the family. Maybe being the oldest gives him a stronger work ethic than the rest of us. We all work hard, but Sloan’s always done it just a little bit harder. As for Asher, well, he’s not a slacker by any means, but he definitely tries to live his life by the motto “work smarter, not harder.” Their personalities couldn’t be more different either.
I take a seat on the sofa. Sloan's office is a decent size, but then, I wouldn't expect one of the top lawyers at the firm—and guaranteed future partner—to work out of something the size of a storage closet. It's all business on one side with his office desk and chairs, a conference table bisecting the middle of the room, and a casual lounging area on the other side with a sofa, chairs, and a small stocked bar in the corner. My brothers follow and sit down with me.
“I came to drop off some last minute financial papers for your meeting with Zimmer's attorney after a delivery down in my office.” He nods his head in Sloan’s direction. “He said they’ll be here on Monday to finalize the sale. Hey, good luck on that, man. I know you've been trying to branch out for a while now.”
“Thanks. I’m not gonna lie, it’s been stressful, mostly because I never realized how much work was involved in expanding. Everything was already done for me with the bar I have now. Anyway, I’ll be glad when it’s all finished.” It’s the truth. I never knew it would be this time-consuming to expand my business.
“Yeah,” Sloan chimes in, “but don't worry about this.” He looks over in my direction. “I've got everything under control. All you need to do is sit there and look pretty and I’ll handle the rest."
"Oh, well. We all know Cade doesn't have a problem looking pretty," Asher interjects and Sloan laughs at his comment. I take the more mature route and flip them both the bird.
"Relax. You've been busting your ass for months now getting all your shit in order. By this time next week, the deal should be done and then you can take a break, maybe find yourself a nice girl and live a little bit. Actually go out on a date or two, instead of just hooking up with some chick you meet at your bar.”
I scoff and give him an eyeroll. “Hey, I live. And yes, I have plenty of women to keep me company, thank you very much. Besides, just because you're off the market doesn't mean I'm ready to be yet.” He leaves me the opening, so I take it. “Speaking of which, when are you gonna put a ring on it and make an honest woman out of her, huh?”
Sloan's been with Bridgett for almost a year now, and everyone is waiting for him to pop the question. And by everyone, I mean my mother. She's caught the grandma bug since Aunt Silvia became one a few months back. With Sloan the only Wesley boy close to giving her any, she's on a mission to get him married and get Bridgett knocked up. The sooner the better, according to her.
“Anyway,” Sloan draws out the word, changing the subject and causing Asher and me to laugh at his blatant attempt to take the focus off him, “lunch sounds good. I’m starving. Ash, you wanna tag along?”
“Sure, I don’t have anything better to do for the rest of the day,” Asher shrugs as the three of us get up and make our way out the door. He slides up next to me and throws his arm around my shoulders with a smile. “Besides, I wouldn't pass it up since Cade's buying.”
Ass.
***
A few hours—and a couple of whiskey shots later—I finally arrive at my bar, and it's already hopping. Fridays here are insane. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think my bar would get this packed on a Friday, let alone any day of the week. Typically, there's a lunch rush and then a lull in business until happy hour starts at four p.m., but on Fridays the lull is non-existent. People filter in and out all day, especially on days like today where the weather and the water are perfect. Lucky for me, I have the best staff out there. We're like a well-oiled machine. And thanks to a limited menu, food comes out at record speed.
That's not really what brings people into my place though. Tourists love the beach side location, and relaxed, laid back atmosphere. The live music is the biggest draw and we have some of the best bartenders working on the beach. The drinks fly off the shelves.
There’s plenty to keep me busy. I make my rounds, running food that comes out in the window when all the runners are occupied, fetching extra bottles of liquor when the bar backs are elbow deep in washing glassware, and changing televisions for the many patrons who are looking for this game or that one. A few of my regular customers stop me to say hi along the way, but they know I’m always too busy to stop for more than a couple of minutes.
Let’s not forget all the sexy women that seem to show up here in droves. Bikini-clad women, most of whom are in town with their friends and looking to hook up with a vacation fling. I’m only here for a few hours and I’ve already collected four numbers without even trying, which is exactly why I told Sloan earlier I have no shortage of women in my life. What I do seem to have a shortage of is time.
Maybe big brother is right?
I shouldn’t be stressed about all this. He’s got it all taken care of, so it isn’t unreasonable to think maybe I could live a little bit more than I’ve been allowing myself lately. Hell, maybe I’ll even start tonight. I could definitely use a warm body next to me later and there seem to be plenty of choices floating around the bar.
Right now, I’ve got work to do, so I pocket the numbers and keep on going.
Chapter Four
Nora
I step into the Friday afternoon Miami sunshine. The day has gone, so far, without a hitch. First class was a dream. It was nice to see how the “other half” lived. It was even nicer to not have to sit in coach with screaming children and touchy guys with no concept of personal space. That’s happened more times than I care to remember. Now, as we make our way out of the airport and into the waiting car, I listen as Samantha speaks on the phone. When she’s through, she turns her attention to me, an apologetic look on her face. “There’s a dinner thing I need to go to tonight. I didn’t realize it was scheduled for the same night we came in, but I need to make an appearance. The
firm is hoping to gain some new clients. I shouldn’t be too long and we can meet up in the bar near our hotel afterwards and have a couple drinks.”
I hesitate for a second. “Um, yeah, that sounds okay. Just name the time and place and I’ll be there.”
The idea of hanging out at a bar in an unknown city by myself doesn’t really sit well with me, but it’s not like I can tell her no. She’s my boss. Samantha nods, and a few minutes later, the car pulls up to the hotel, the bustling valets opening my door before I can even get my hands around the handle. The blast of Florida heat is a shock to my skin coming from the air-conditioned car, but within minutes, the cool air of the lobby washes over me.
The hotel lobby is small but elegant. The concierge at the desk is very friendly and wastes no time getting us checked in, and soon we’re headed up to our rooms. There were no available connecting rooms on short notice, so while Samantha is on the third floor, my room is up on the tenth. I wave goodbye to her as she exits the elevator on her floor with a promise to call me before she leaves the hotel, and continue the slow ride up to the tenth. When I get off, I make my way to room 1001.
Pulling out the key card and opening the door, I’m surprised when I walk into the small suite. I was expecting a regular room, but this is almost as big as my small apartment back home. Brightly colored fresh flowers sit on the entryway table. The short hallway opens into an expansive open floor plan complete with hardwood floors, a king-size bed with a small dresser beside it, a business desk, wall-mounted flat screen television, sofa, and coffee table. A small nook in the far corner next to the closet holds a mini fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker—that will be getting plenty of use this trip. Off to the side, another doorway opens into a large bathroom with the biggest tub I have ever seen, a separate stand-up shower, a toilet, and a sink.
I’m so in awe from the room I forgot to close the door. The room attendant knocks lightly, I guess in an effort not to scare me. “Ms. Jensen, I have your luggage.”
“Yes, thank you. You can put it wherever.”
He deposits my luggage next to the bed and asks, “Is there anything else I can get for you right now ma’am?”
“No, thank you. I’m good.” I give him the few bucks I have in my pocket, and close the door. Kicking my shoes off under the entryway table, I make my way to the large curtained window on the far side of the wall. I pull back the thick burgundy curtains, and inhale sharply at the view. The ocean. An ocean view room! Exquisite sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see in both directions. Hard-bodied men and bikini-clad women swim and surf, and even more lounge and play in the warm sand. Families splash in the water near the shore off in the distance and couples stroll hand-in-hand along the water’s edge. I must get some beach time in while I’m here. First things first though. That tub is calling my name and I fully intend to indulge.
***
A nice, long soak was exactly what I needed after an afternoon of travel. I slip on the plush hotel robe and tie the sash, making a mental note to somehow find a way to smuggle the damned thing home. The phone rings just as I step into the room.
“Hello?”
“So, do you like the room?” I can sense the smile in Samantha’s voice.
“Oh, my God, what do you think? This room is absolutely amazing,” I gush. “I would live here if I could. Sign me up for any more business trips you have out here.” I laugh into the phone.
“Yeah, the rooms are spectacular. I always request this hotel when I travel here. It’s the best They have the best tubs. That’s the first thing I used when I walked in.”
“I did too. It was the most divine bath in the history of baths.” She laughs at my over-embellishment, but damn, it was a good bath.
“Listen, I just wanted to let you know the dinner I’m attending tonight should be wrapping up around nine p.m., so I was thinking you could meet me at the bar down on the beach around nine-thirty. You should be able to see it from your window.”
“Really?” I walked back over to the window and peered out over the beach, my eyes landing on an impressive beachfront bar several hundred yards down the shore from the hotel. A large deck stretches out over the ocean waves and beyond that, a boat dock sits in the calm open water. It looks like boats can dock and their occupants can walk right up the platform to the bar deck. What a genius idea. “Wow, that’s quite the bar. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that stretches out over the water before. What’s it called?”
Samantha chuckles when she answers. “That, my dear, is Cade’s.”
I’m a bit surprised. “Cade’s Tavern? The bar we’re here to negotiate about?” I glance out the window again at the impressive set-up. “Well, that is definitely not what I had pictured. No wonder this guy wants to expand. It’s just after seven and the place looks packed.”
“He does very well. Location really is everything. It’s like this all day, every day. That’s why he’s so interested in Mr. Zimmer’s lakefront property down in Austin, as well as all the other waterfront property Mr. Zimmer owns. If the deal is lucrative for both parties, Cade’s Taverns could begin popping up all over the country. And you know Mr. Zimmer’s ready to sell off this property as soon as possible. He says there’s no way in hell his greedy children are going to take it after he’s gone,” Samantha laughs causing me to laugh at the thought of Mr. Zimmer. The man is quite the character. Only in his seventies and in perfect health, he’s convinced his spoiled children are out to ‘off’ him to get all his material possessions. So, his answer to that was to start selling off all the things he didn’t want, or rather, didn’t want them to have.
“Okay lady, I’ve got to run. Find something fun to do and I’ll see you tonight. Go enjoy the beach,” Samantha instructed.
She didn’t have to tell me twice. “Sounds like a plan to me. Enjoy your dinner meeting and I’ll see you later tonight. Bye Sam.”
I hang up the phone and walk back over to the window, looking at all the people milling around, and smile to myself.
Oh yeah, definitely beach time.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. After ending the call with Samantha, I throw on some denim shorts with a blue tank top and some white sandals and make my way down to the beach. The air is warm, but the light ocean breeze makes it feel so much cooler. The beach is bustling with all kinds of activity. The shops are packed with tourists and souvenirs are selling like hotcakes. I weave my way in and out of the small shops that line the side of the street away from the water, looking for that perfect memento. I finally find a magnet for my refrigerator back home, and a shot glass to go with it.
Food trucks line the beach's edge, filling the air with a delicious mix of salty sea and regional cuisine. Of course, my stomach picks that exact moment to make me acutely aware I haven’t eaten much today, only a salad on the flight over here. Glancing at my phone I realize it’s only eight forty-five p.m., still plenty of time to kill before I'd be meeting Samantha. As much as I hate the idea of sitting by myself, I might as well go to Cade's Tavern and grab a bite to eat while I wait for her to show up. It would also be a great opportunity to be a little nosy and check out the bar.
After a few minutes of fighting through the crowds of people, I finally pull the big front door open and walk in. The place is just as impressive from the inside. A large bar sticks out into the middle of the open floor, with several cocktail tables scattered around it on all sides. Off to the back corner are pool tables, already packed with people, and flat screen televisions are strategically placed all around the walls. Farther down past the bar is a set of doors leading outside to the patio, and since that is where I want to be, I make my way in that direction. The weather is too enticing to be stuck indoors right now.
The outside bar is set up almost the same as the inside one—a large bar in the middle surrounded by plenty of full tables, but out here there’s also a stage near the back. It’s already set up with a drum kit and other instruments and electronics, and the banner ne
ar the stage boasts the logo Seven's Edge. It must be a local band since I've never heard of them before. The whole bar and stage, along with most of the tables, are covered by the outdoor roof, but there’s a small row of tables along the side out in the sun. The ceiling fans out here keep the air flowing and create a nice breeze.
I opt for the corner seat I spy near the end of the bar. Climbing up on the high stool, I pull the menu from the holder and start looking at the offerings they have.
"What can I get you, beautiful?" the bartender asks, while my head is still down.
I look up to answer, but no words will come out. The clearest blue eyes stare back at me. Attached to those blue eyes is easily the sexiest man I’ve ever laid my brown ones on. God, he’s handsome. Those gorgeous eyes are framed by thick lashes that any woman would be jealous of. His light brown hair is clipped short on the sides, left long on top to create just fucked messy sex hair. It’s long enough I would have plenty of it to run my fingers through and hold on tight to, not that I would do that or anything.
"Um," is all I manage to get out.
Smooth Nora. Real smooth.
I trail my eyes back up to his face and see his strong jaw covered by sexy stubble, just enough but not too much, all framing the sexiest, plumpest, most delicious looking lips I think I have ever seen. Lips that are now quirking up into a sexy smirk at the realization I’m totally checking him out. If possible that smirk makes him even sexier. Shit, I’m staring. Did it suddenly jump ten degrees in here? Shit, I'm still staring. Wait, did he say something about me being beautiful? And more importantly, what in the hell had he just asked me?
As if hearing my silent question, he repeats what he said. "I said, what can I get you, beautiful?” Now the smirk has gone to an almost full megawatt smile. Even his teeth are perfect.
I still can’t concentrate long enough to answer his question. His black T-shirt with the bar logo on it may as well be painted on for how well it’s molded to his firm, very obviously toned chest. The short sleeves put all his muscles on display, along with the sexy ink that peeks out under the sleeve on the right side. Ink that, if given the opportunity, I would totally trace the lines of with my tongue just to see where it would lead.
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