Leaning Into Series: The Complete Box Set

by Hayes, Lane

  Don Carrigan and I had developed a cautiously friendly relationship in the wake of Nick and his daughter’s broken engagement for Zane’s sake. Don hated Nick and only mildly tolerated me, but he loved my fiancé. He was a boat racing enthusiast who admired Zane’s ability as a helmsman. He’d sponsored a few of Zane’s races, including last weekend’s, and was so excited by the first-place win that he was inspired to buy a new sailboat.

  I balanced my cell between my shoulder and my ear as I typed an email on my computer, grinning at the obvious excitement in Zane’s voice.

  “Not just any boat. Carrigan wants a very specific luxury ketch,” Zane explained.

  “Catch?”

  “No, ketch. He has two sloops for recreational sailing but the ones he owns are meant for serious racing. He wants to hire me to find him the perfect one. I’m going to look around while we’re in SoCal this weekend. I bet Dean can help me out. He called me out of the blue last week. I haven’t had a chance to return his message, but I think he still works at the yacht club and—”

  “Dean who?” I frowned, pushing away from my computer and swiveling my chair to look out my office window at my expansive view of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

  “Dean Gorman, Chelsea’s older brother. You remember him from high school, don’t you?”

  “Yeah. I also remember you said he was your first and that you hadn’t seen him in years,” I grumbled unhappily then turned when someone knocked on my door.

  Nick popped his head in and gestured at his watch before signaling for me to wrap it up. I rolled my eyes and held up a finger, indicating I’d be a minute longer, but wasn’t surprised when he ignored me. He strolled inside then flopped gracelessly into one of the leather guest chairs across from me and propped his feet on my desk. I gave him a dirty look but tuned into Zane’s exasperated sigh on my cell.

  “I also told you that was a long time ago,” Zane said patiently. “I haven’t seen him in years but we have mutual friends. He’s married with three kids now. Maybe four. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is finding a new toy for Don. The commission from this sale would be sweet, but it’s chump change compared to what he really wants.”

  “Which is?” I prompted.

  “A hundred-and-twenty-plus-foot yacht. He wants to cruise the Mediterranean in style with Jay Z, Celine Dion, and Warren Buffet.”

  “So do I. Will you buy me one too?”

  “Sure, baby, but I may need to borrow ten mil,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

  “Ten million dollars? Holy crap!”

  “I know. The commission on that kind of sale would be insane.”

  “Can you drive a yacht that big?” I asked, furrowing my brow.

  “You don’t drive yachts, Er. You sail them. Now say good-bye to your hubby. We’re working here,” Nick snarked.

  “Aw, Nicky’s jelly, isn’t he? But he’s right. I have to get back to work too. I just wanted to give you a heads up about Dean. We can grab lunch with him or maybe a cup of coffee. We’re flying home Friday afternoon, right?”

  “Uh…right,” I confirmed, feeling slightly thrown off guard by this new twist.

  “Cool. I’ll see you tonight. I’m making shrimp risotto. Don’t be late. Tell Nick hi for me. Oh, and Er?”

  “Yeah?”

  “For the record, I can drive anything, baby.” His sexy low voice reverberated through me. I was glad to be sitting behind a big desk when my dick twitched hopefully against my navy suit pants. And when he added, “I love you” before disconnecting the call, my heart did that funny somersault it always did. The one that made me breathless like I’d just run a marathon.

  “You look like you need smelling salts. Are you going to faint from all that sweet talk?” Nick teased. “I should offer to make this quick so you can call him back, lock the door, and jack off to some hot phone sex.”

  “You’d do that for me? Geez, Nick. You’re the best!” I gave him a megawatt grin and batted my eyelashes to get under his skin. Then I leaned over to smack his feet off my desk. “What’s up?”

  “I thought I’d check in with you before I head to the lab. I’m not supposed to be anywhere else today, am I?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m not your secretary or your keeper, Nick. Ask Barb. She knows everything that goes on around here. And if she’s stumped, Miles will know.”

  “Barb says I’m in the clear, and Miles and I discussed his Deadpool socks for about ten minutes while you were yapping with Zane. I figured since I was here, I might as well see how my ol’ buddy’s doing,” he said with a wide grin that transformed his already handsome features into something truly special.

  Nick Jorgensen was one of the most attractive men I knew. He was six foot two and lean with dark hair, gray eyes, and a sculpted jawline that might have earned him a lucrative modeling gig if he wasn’t obsessed with technology. The guy was a genius. Literally. He was the cyber tech geek brain behind EN Tech and I was the business guru who made sure his network security solutions were patented and sold at an elite level to government agencies and high-profile firms. We made a good team. We’d been friends since college. Hell, we’d even been lovers at one time. But that was years ago. The point was, we knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses well.

  Nick was a brilliant, absent-minded professor. His rabid focus was a blessing and a curse. It was up to me to finesse his messaging in business and yeah…sometimes outside of the office too. He couldn’t help himself. He had no filter whatsoever. He tended to say exactly what he was thinking and act accordingly. It got him into trouble on the regular. The latest of note was his broken engagement to Don Carrigan’s daughter, Lisa.

  I’d known from the start it wouldn’t last, but he had to figure it out his own way and leave his usual trail of destruction. He was exasperating, but underneath his seemingly stubborn ambivalence, Nick was a good man. The people who knew him best appreciated his quirks. Different was good. It wasn’t always easy though, I mused.

  “I’m fine. I have a meeting with Pete Cornell. He wants in on your—”

  Nick covered his ears and chanted, “La la la la la.” When I stopped talking, he scowled at me. “I don’t want to hear about old equipment when I’m about to deliver something a hundred times better.”

  “Okay, how’s that going?”

  “I don’t want to talk about that either. Tell me about you and Z. Miles said you’re visiting the families this weekend.”

  “My secretary talks too much, but yeah, we are. We’re leaving Friday. We’re having dinner with his mom that night. My parents are in Cabo until Saturday night so it looks like we’ll see them for brunch on Sunday. Or we’ll catch them the next time they’re in the city. I think this trip is really about visiting Zane’s mom.”

  “Hmm. Sounds serious.”

  “It is serious. We’re getting married, for Christ’s sake,” I huffed. “You didn’t think I’d change my mind, did you?”

  “No. I know you wouldn’t. You love him and he feels the same about you. It’s just…weird to think everything’s going to change. That’s all,” he replied matter-of-factly.

  “Why would anything change? We’re still the same people.”

  “Yeah, but now you live together, soon you’ll be married and—crap, are you gonna have kids?” His dismayed expression was almost funny.

  I gave a half laugh and sighed. “Maybe someday. But nothing’s going to change. Zane moved into my place months ago. Has it really been that strange?”

  Nick shook his head. “Nah. Actually, it’s been pretty normal when the five of us get together. Grant and Josh think so too. I guess I thought I’d be the one tying the knot. It’s weird that you are instead. You know?”

  I observed my friend for a moment. His charcoal suit was well-fitted, and he must have just had his hair cut. He looked put-together and professional. It wouldn’t last. The second he stepped into the lab, he’d lose his coat and tie, roll up his sleeves, and run his hands through his hair until it stood u
p on end. Nick was the smartest man I knew, but his occasional bouts of insecurity took me by surprise, revealing a side to him he didn’t let most people see.

  I picked up the apple Miles had brought me from the café downstairs and tossed it at Nick’s chest.

  “Snap out of it, asshole. The only thing weird here is me hanging out with my future mother-in-law and an ex-boyfriend this weekend. Have a little sympathy,” I snarked.

  Nick bent to retrieve the apple. He held it back like he was going to chuck it at my head, which would have been all kinds of bad. The guy had the worst aim of anyone I knew. He set it on my desk instead and gave me a dirty look before leaning back in his chair.

  “What ex-boyfriend? I didn’t think Zane had a boyfriend before you.”

  That made me smile. It was true. I was his first. Don’t get me wrong. Zane had plenty of experience with men and women. But I was his first real relationship. Or at least the first person he acknowledged as his significant other. The mystery continued.

  “Dean…his ex-fuck buddy from high school,” I clarified. “Honestly, I didn’t think they talked at all anymore, but now he wants his help to find a boat for your almost-father-in-law. If this goes sideways, I’m pretty sure it’ll be your fault.”

  Nick scoffed. “Oh please. Quit being a drama queen. The family stuff will be a cakewalk. You already know each other anyway. As far as the ex-booty call goes, I wouldn’t worry. He’s probably a balding old guy now with a beer belly, three ex-wives, six kids, and—”

  “Supposedly he’s married with three kids,” I interrupted. “He’s only two years older than us, so I have my doubts about the beer belly and hair loss too. He was a good-looking, athletic dude back then and I’m sure he still is. Whatever.”

  “Either way, don’t be a hypocrite. Technically I’m your ex and Zane doesn’t seem to have a problem with us working together and being friends,” he singsonged.

  I sputtered indignantly. “That’s totally different! We’ve been friends for years and you’re Zane’s friend too. And while our time as ‘more than friends’ was nice, we’re like brothers now. Zane knows that. This isn’t the same thing. Zane and Dean were popular surf rats and I was…a nerd.”

  “You still are,” Nick reminded me with a grin. “A very successful nerd with a fuckton of dough in the bank. But everyone grows up to some degree. Even the surfer dudes Zane used to hang out with. You may be pleasantly surprised. And if you aren’t…you’ll still have Zane. You can’t lose, Er.”

  I smiled. “Thanks, Nick. You’re a good egg.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Slightly scrambled. I know.” He stood and moved to the door. “Honestly, I’m more concerned about Don Carrigan than anyone.”

  “Why? He loves Zane.”

  “But he hates me and by association, he hates you too. I could see him using Zane to get back at us.”

  “Paranoid much? Don doesn’t hate me. He hates you…with good cause.” I gestured meaningfully toward the door.

  “Hmph. I may be paranoid but you have a naïve streak. Don is more dangerous than any hot surfer Z used to screw around with. His intentions aren’t pure. He’s just the sort of evil genius who waits until his enemy is complacent before he goes in for the kill.” Nick opened the door and then rubbed his hands together gleefully. “See ya, Er. I’m off to do combat.”

  “In the lab?”

  “Yep. The ultimate weapon is brainpower. Don can’t touch us if we’re light years ahead of our competitors. My new project will propel us to the next level. I promise. I’ll keep working at it and you keep your eyes and ears peeled, especially when it comes to Carrigan. See ya, buddy.”

  I stared at the space he’d vacated for a moment. The inclination to brush aside Nick’s warning was strong, but there was a modicum of truth here I couldn’t refute. Racing was one thing, but why was Don suddenly asking Zane to help him purchase a boat? Maybe it was nothing. Zane could handle Don and truthfully, he actually seemed to like the guy. But Nick was right. Complacency was the surest road to failure. It was wise to stay on guard for all our sakes.

  Chapter 2

  The one-hour flight from San Francisco to Orange County was relatively painless. The fifteen-minute drive to the luxury resort on the Harbor was less so. My stomach dropped with every twist in the winding road along the Bay. The closer we got to our final destination, the quieter I became. It was okay. Zane talked for both of us. He happily pointed out egrets gliding over the water and paddle boarders he spotted edging their way around the marsh. His excitement was palpable and so at odds with my turbulent thoughts, it was almost comical.

  “They obviously don’t know what they’re doing. There are so many great places to paddleboard here, and this section of the Bay is definitely not one of them,” he groused, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel of our rented Jeep.

  “What is the best place?” My idle question was a weak attempt at engaging in conversation. I didn’t want to rain on Zane’s parade when he was clearly excited to be home.

  “The harbor. Especially the area around Lido Island. Wanna go? We can head over there in the morning if you’re up to it.” He stopped at a red light and turned to me with a winning smile.

  I returned the gesture and reached for his free hand, impulsively entwining our fingers. “Would that be before or after surf lessons, sailing lessons, or the hike around Moro Canyon?”

  “Hmm. Tough question, but if we wake up at the crack of dawn we may be able to tackle everything.”

  “Oh, brother. What comes first?”

  Zane squeezed my fingers then let go of my hand when the light changed. “Surfing always comes first, babe.”

  “Always?” I purred, moving my hand to his cup his jean-clad crotch.

  “Uh…no. Not always.”

  “Good.” I kissed his shoulder then sat back in my seat and let the Beach Boys lull me with good vibrations.

  This was going to be fine. I could survive forty-eight hours anywhere with this guy at my side. Even home.

  * * *

  The Beach Club Resort must have had a facelift since the last time I’d been there. The reception area was a sophisticated blend of marble and crystal chandeliers with grand pillars that framed an amazing view of sand and beach and the ginormous multi-million-dollar yachts docked just beyond. When we were growing up, this was a more casual destination for locals. A place to lie on the sand with your friends or goof around on the playground slide stuck in the middle of the Bay. There were burger bashes, movie nights, and other tame family activities. My parents had a membership here years ago, but they let it go when ownership changed and the monthly dues hiked to the equivalent of a down payment on a house.

  I wasn’t surprised Zane chose to stay here. This was the only waterfront hotel in the area. He wasn’t the type to be intimidated by the radical uptick in wealth on display compared to when we were kids. He spent time in some of the most prestigious yacht clubs in Northern California, around boats that were worth more than I could comprehend.

  “If I had my way, we wouldn’t stay here.” Zane plucked his T-shirt over his head and tossed it on the king-sized bed before opening the sliding glass door and stepping out to the balcony. He held out his hand and motioned for me to join him.

  “Did you want to stay with your mom?” I made a face before adding, “Or my parents?”

  “Hell, no.” Zane pulled me into his arms so he stood behind me. His deep voice reverberated through his chest and moved through me, grounding me to him. “Don’t you think it would be cool to own a tiny bungalow on the sand just big enough for the two of us? Someplace quiet where I could look out the window to gauge the surf before getting into my wet suit. You could read on the patio and watch me until your longboard called. Then you’d get undressed”—he paused to unbutton and then unzip my jeans—“and put on your sexy Speedo before—”

  I spun in his hold and rested my arms on his shoulders. “I don’t own a Speedo. And I think you should thank me for that.”

>   Zane chuckled. “No way. That’s a crime. We’ll fix that later, but now…I want to do other things.”

  I sighed when he splayed one hand under my shirt and grabbed my ass with the other, molding his pelvis to mine so I could feel his obvious hard-on. I ran my fingers through his longish hair as I tilted my chin then licked his bottom lip. He groaned in response and slipped his tongue inside. We made out on the balcony in broad daylight for longer than we should have. This wasn’t San Francisco and LA was an hour north of here. This was a conservative mecca where no one spoke about gays. Unless of course, they were talking about the fabulous designer they’d hired to decorate their beach house.

  I reluctantly broke the kiss and angled my head toward our suite. “Inside. How much time do we have before dinner?”

  “As much as we want. Go on, baby. Get naked for me.”

  I moved into the suite, undressing as I made my way to the bed. I folded the white duvet back then sat on the edge of the mattress to kick off my shoes and socks. Zane hummed in approval and came to stand in front of me, palming his heavy dick absently as he stared at me. He looked mesmerized, which made me want to crack a joke because seriously…this was me here. Not some bodybuilder or model or rock star. Me. He’d seen me naked a million times. He knew exactly what he was getting. How could he act like I was so special every single time? I didn’t get it, but this certainly wasn’t the time for questions.

  I set my hands on his muscular thighs and studied his hardening shaft as he stroked himself. Precum pooled at the tip of the wide mushroom head. I licked my lips greedily and then glanced up at him as though awaiting his direction. It was a funny thing to do, but it drove him crazy. In a good way. Like he secretly got off on the show of subservience. It wasn’t a dominance thing. He would have died laughing if I called him daddy or asked him if he wanted to try anything kinky like—