I want to argue he should not, but that would be showing my hand. Instead, I take another sip of my drink and nod again. “Then you wouldn’t be head fashion queen!”

  “It’s true. He can stay straight. Or not.” Dean laughs. “Hell, I’d settle for Taron. They’re all so lickable.”

  “Don’t let Patton bother you.” Jerry leans too close into my ear, placing his hand on my lower back. “You always look amazing.”

  “Thanks!” I say bright and loud, doing my best to move away from his hands and face, but Sandra has me blocked. “So what was up with that guy today… Martin? What’s his story?”

  It’s like I uttered the unspeakable word. Their expressions all close. Sandra takes a sip of her white wine, and Dean turns toward the bar. Jerry’s the only leach I can’t seem to shake.

  I start to laugh. “Holy shit, what is he? The Ghost of Christmas Past?”

  Sandra leans closer, lowering her voice. “Nobody really talks about it. The subject is very much off limits.”

  “Off limits?” I take another sip of my drink, getting excited. “Why?”

  She shrugs. “They were all in the military together, and something bad went down with Marley. Now they’re all very protective of him. Or at least Patton is. Taron is too distracted.”

  Jerry’s voice rises louder. “Taron’s back is all fucked up because of it. Marley was in some kind of situation. Now he’s shell-shocked.” His hand is on me again, and I do my best to maneuver away from him. “He’s more a danger to himself than anything—except when he starts losing clients… or other things.”

  I think about this. Patton was agitated when Marley entered the room. He can’t control that one. “I think he was on drugs.”

  Dean holds up a perfectly manicured hand. “I can verify he entered the office smoking a joint. It was good shit, too. I could tell by the smell.”

  My voice is quiet. “He actually said Moto-Moto to the Madagascar team.”

  Jerry coughs and starts to laugh. “No, shit.”

  All our eyes meet, and we all start laughing.

  “Tell me he didn’t!” Dean cries.

  “It was so awful.” I shake my head, wiping tears. “It wasn’t funny at the time. I was legit freaking out. They almost walked.”

  “That sounds about right.” Jerry’s hand returns to my back, only this time it’s lower, sliding down to cup my butt.

  “Oh! Excuse me.” I jerk away from him and almost step on Sandra.

  “Careful there!” She lifts her glass and passes it to the other hand.

  I’m now between her and Dean, glaring at Jerry. He closes his eyes and polishes off his second whiskey, then turns away to the bartender.

  My lip goes between my teeth, and I frown. I suppose it could have been an accident.

  Sandra finishes her wine, and gives me a little squeeze. “All’s well that ends well. I’ve got to run.”

  “No!” I look at my full tumbler. “I just ordered this. Don’t go.”

  “Have to. I unlock the doors at seven-thirty.” Hooking her finger in Dean’s coat, she gives him a tug. “Time to go, Cinderella.”

  “Not you, too!” Now I’m really panicking.

  “Sorry, babe. Sandra’s my ride.” He kisses my cheek and does a wave. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t!”

  I rest an elbow on the bar, threading my fingers in the side of my hair and giving it a pull. I don’t have to finish this drink…

  Jerry turns back and winks at me, singing, “I like to move it, move it!”

  My nose wrinkles, and I look down at my watery, fifteen-dollar gin and tonic. “It wasn’t really funny. Patton was furious.”

  “What else is new?” Jerry puts his arm on the bar and leans closer. “How are you fitting in? Getting adjusted?”

  “Sure.” I slide back, putting more space between us. “Why is he always so angry?”

  Jerry lifts his chin. “Who?” I arch an eyebrow, and he shakes his head. “Patton? Who knows. His father rides him hard. He wants to make a name for himself on his own merit. He feels responsible for everything that happens. Pick a reason.”

  I think about all of these reasons. “I suppose it’s a lot of pressure…”

  “You’ve been in Nashville, what? A week? How about I take you around and show you the sights.”

  Blinking up at him, I wonder if he even read my résumé. “I graduated from Owen School of Business… at Vanderbilt?”

  He grins. “Oh, right. Still, I could take you out, show you the town. It’s a long weekend. What do you say?”

  “I’m sorry. I promised I’d visit my sister in Savannah. I can’t.” It’s a total lie.

  I should just tell him I have zero interest in doing anything with him, but I’m trying to hang onto a few friendly faces in the office. If I can stand it.

  “Right. Your sister. How is she?”

  “Great! Thanks for asking. Well, I’d better get going, too. Work comes early!”

  “Stay and finish your drink.” He nods toward me. “I’ve got to hit the men’s room. Be right back.”

  I watch as he circles the bar moving away from me, and to be honest, I don’t mind that he’s gone, even if I’m left alone here. Shifting from one foot to the other, I pass my card to the bartender, ready to call it a night. I tap on the Lyft app and order a car, and while I wait, I scan the crowd of young professionals. They’re all about my age or just a few years older.

  My eyes drift toward the door, where people are coming and going. I’m just about to turn around again when I freeze, sucking in a quiet gasp.

  Patton stands in the space between the two bars looking like he just stepped off the cover of Esquire. I’m caught in his simmering, brown gaze, and I can’t look away.

  His blazer is gone, and he’s standing there in that thin white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show the ink on his forearm. One hand is in his tailored navy slacks, and the way he looks at me makes my skin hot all over my body.

  I want him to come to me. Come to me, I whisper silently in my head. As if he can hear me, his lips curl into a cocky grin, and he moves in my direction. I’ve never seen him smile, and the way he’s doing it now makes my thighs press together.

  Patton Fletcher is sex on two legs.

  He stops right in front of me and gives me a nod. “Are you here alone?”

  “No…” I clear the breathlessness from my throat. “Sandra and Dean just left, and Jerry’s in the bathroom.”

  “I see.” He lifts his chin, looking around the bar. I take the opportunity to admire the lines in his neck, the scruff of his shadowy beard, the bumps of his Adam’s apple. Dean’s right—lickable.

  Fresh soap and citrus surround me, and with him this close, I feel the heat of his body on my skin. I want to lean in and inhale…

  The bar is so crowded, he keeps being shoved close then back again like a wave.

  I manage to find my voice. “Are you here alone?”

  “No.” He looks down, letting his eyes move around my face.

  It’s very distracting. “Who are you here with?”

  “Marley is at the other bar. Taron just left.”

  I look across the room and see Marley sitting in one of the square leather chairs. Two women with long hair and slinky dresses are propped on each arm. They look like supermodels.

  I take another sip of my drink. Oh. I feel my little balloon deflating.

  “You’re here hooking up?” I don’t know what possessed me to say it out loud… Other than I’m dying inside.

  His dark brow furrows attractively. “I don’t do casual sex.”

  I love that answer and the way he says it. His gaze is so intense, it prickles down my spine.

  “Me either.” That’s probably TMI.

  The bartender interrupts our moment. “Miss? Your card.”

  I don’t move until I realize Jerry is back. “Well, look who’s here.” He walks up behind me, and again, he puts his hand on my lower back, sliding it down to cup my ass.

  “Watch it!” I step forward, right into Patton.

  He catches me, those strong hands gripping my upper arms like before, and his dark eyes cut from me to Jerry. I can tell he doesn’t know what’s going on, but I want to stay with him. I don’t want to be with butt-grabbing Jerry. At the same time, I’m not in the mood for Marley’s antics.

  Oh, shit. I ordered a Lyft already. “I have to go home,” I say to no one in particular.

  Patton looks down at me, and I look up at him. “You have freckles.”

  “Since I was a kid.”

  Again, his dark eyes scan my face, and this time it’s like a caress. “You’re leaving?”

  I hesitate a beat before I give up and nod. “I ordered a Lyft a few minutes ago. It’s probably here.”

  “I’ll see you down.”

  I grab my card, and we head for the elevator without another word to Jerry. It’s a short wait, and when we step inside, it’s just the two of us. My heart is beating so fast, it aches.

  I glance up at him, and he moves closer. “You did good today.”

  “It’s about time you said it.”

  “You can’t just take a compliment.” His chin drops, and our breath mingles. It’s electric, and the little hairs on my arms and legs stand at attention.

  I lean into him. A hint of whiskey is on his breath, and I’m intoxicated by it. I blink up to meet his eyes. They flare, and his hand grasps my upper arm, squeezing as he holds me.

  “What are you doing?” I can’t tell if he’s angry or desperate.

  I don’t know what I’m doing. I want him to kiss me. I want to know if this thing between us is real or simply fueled by the forbidden. Kiss me… the words whisper in my mind, desire tingles on my lips.

  The elevator is dropping twenty flights, and my heart is flying through the roof. His eyes move to my mouth. He sways closer, and my eyes flicker shut. I feel the light brush of his nose against mine, the whisper of his breath on my cheek, and I put my hand on his firm chest. It’s happening…

  The elevator dings, and he lets me go.

  He walks out of the elevator, leaving me dazed and needy. I watch his broad shoulders, his back, that tight ass leaving me behind in a wilted puddle of lust. I feel like a fool.

  Gritting my teeth, I turn my phone over and check the app. My car is supposed to be here—a red Honda Accord. He stops at the curb, looking up and down the street. I don’t give him the chance to say another word. I see my car, and leave him there as I hop inside and slam the door.

  8

  Patton

  My head aches as I stand in front of my desk, sorting through the papers. We stayed out too late last night. I drank two more whiskeys after she left, and now I feel like shit.

  I almost kissed her. Dammit.

  My lips were right there, ready to push hers apart and take that mouth, pull her hard against me, ravage her tongue. I’d had enough to drink that my inhibitions were down. Who knows what else might have happened if that elevator hadn’t stopped when it did?

  The door to my office opens and Taron enters looking pained as usual. I’m so fucking sick of it, I’m ready to send them all on a spa vacation. This holiday weekend can’t come soon enough.

  My voice is annoyed when I speak to him. “Your new hire suggested some changes to our fee structure. I thought you might like to be in on the discussion.”

  “She’s working out better than I expected.” He only grins briefly before his expression is serious again.

  “Why did we need a new employee again?” It’s not like him to bring in someone new without talking to all of us first.

  He takes a minute, walking over to the small table in front of my window facing downtown. He picks up that photograph of the four of us in our fatigues. “I’ve been thinking about my role here… My limitations.”

  “Have you thought about one of those standing desks?”

  He shakes his head and returns the photograph to the table. “I know it’s not the best time with all that’s going on. I want you to know my plan…”

  A light tap on the door makes us both look up. I’m not sure what Taron means, but I’m not about to let him step back when we’re about to blow up. This launch is going to be a financial windfall for all of us. It’s what I’ve been working to give them since we got home. It might not make up for what happened, but hell, it’s something.

  “Come in.” My voice is stern, frustrated.

  When Raquel appears, my body responds. She’s wearing a short beige skirt that shows off her shapely legs and a short-sleeved black top. Her hair is over her shoulders, and her scent drifts to me as she gets closer.

  She’s so beautiful and so smart. It’s a double sucker-punch, and our near-kiss last night is on my mind. It’s a memory I do not need right now.

  “Raquel, thanks for joining us.” I walk around my desk, putting my usual, stern shield in place.

  “You summoned me.” Her voice is quiet, and she doesn’t meet my eyes.

  I suppress a grin. Even in deference, she still has that touch of spice. I hate how it taunts me.

  “Yes, well, I was intrigued by your ideas in the Madagascar meeting. I wanted Taron to be here so we could discuss implementing them. Have a seat.”

  She sits in one of the leather chairs and crosses her legs. I blink away from them, and Taron speaks up. “Patton said you mentioned a ten percent finder’s fee and levels of security?”

  She shifts to face him. “It was all very off the cuff, actually. I based it on the real-estate model. Realtors charge at least six percent on every sale. I thought, why aren’t we doing the same?”

  Her eyebrows rise, and she lights up as she describes her plan. She’s really interested in the business, and she’s so damn quick.

  I cut in. “Describe the security tiers.”

  She blinks and when our eyes meet, her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink. My stomach tightens, and I study her full lips as she speaks, as she follows my orders. She seems nervous today, which bothers me. Did I cross a line last night? It didn’t seem like I did. We were very close in the small elevator. She stumbled toward me, and I held her arms. For a moment, it felt like she wanted me to do more…

  I didn’t.

  “It’s good.” Taron nods, slowly walking around the office.

  “It is.” I agree. “Where did you learn all of this?”

  She shrugs. “Most office buildings have some level of security, and most police forces will send a cruiser to drive by after hours if requested. If they want a full-time guard, we could contract with retired officers or perhaps even military. And we could offer these services at a special rate—or even waive them to make a deal more attractive like we did with Madagascar.”

  Taron gives me a smug look, but I’m done arguing with him. Even I can’t deny how intelligent she is.

  “You really saved that deal. Great work.” He gives her one of his signature smiles, and it unexpectedly annoys me.

  “Thanks.” She looks down again. “I’ve always been pretty good at thinking on my feet.”

  “I’d like to have all of this on the table for Abu Dhabi and Dubai.” He turns to me. “Are we good to go with it?”

  “Definitely.” I gesture to Raquel. “Get with Sandra and work out the wording on separate addendums we can offer as a menu of options.”

  She nods and starts to go, but Taron stops her. “I’m heading out early, but you’ll be at the picnic tomorrow?”

  “I was planning to be there.” Her voice is soft, and I don’t like the way she’s looking at him. I don’t like this sudden interest he has in her.

  “See you then. Not to talk business, of course.” He’s still smiling.

  “Okay.” She grins back at him, but her eyes flicker briefly to mine.

  That current is back, and again, she blinks away. Interesting.

  She’s gone, and Taron is back to smug. “You don’t have to say it. That girl is a kick-ass hire. Ten points to Taron.”

  “What is this? Hogwarts. I said she’s doing a good job.” I turn to my laptop and type up a brief message to Sandra. “You’re leaving early?”

  “I can handle my day from my phone. I’m trying to get in some PT.”

  That’s a relief to hear. “Any word from Marley?”

  “Haven’t seen him.” His expression is grim. “You got him home last night?”

  “Yeah. I’ll hang with him today. See you at the lake.”

  He limps out, and I rock back in my chair, thinking about lines and crossing them.

  “We need more techno in this town.” Marley leans back in the square leather chair. “I miss going to raves.”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what you need to do now.” I tilt the tumbler of whiskey back and forth.

  We’re at a self-proclaimed “world famous lounge,” and I’m tired from last night. Still, I’m not going to let him out of my sight. A tall, leggy blonde in a filmy green dress leans on the wooden table between us. “What’s up with you tonight, soldier?”

  My eyes squint. “You going to let her call you that?”

  “Halle can call me whatever she wants.” He slides both hands along her hips, and she grins at me.

  “I have a friend around here somewhere.”

  “No, thanks.” Girls like her always seem to be hanging around, looking to hook up. In places like this, they’re often groupies hoping for a celebrity sighting, but a couple of well-heeled businessmen will suffice.

  “I’ve got something for you.” She stands, and he follows her to the restroom.

  My jaw tightens, but I’ll wait. Wherever he goes tonight I’m on duty, and I’ll be sure he sleeps in his own bed. I don’t care if a woman is in there with him, but he’s going home tonight.

  A few minutes later, they’re back. Marley’s sniffing, and I’m sure they both did a line in the bathroom. “The new Morgan girl is pretty.” His eyes are glassy, and Halle sits on his lap.

  “She’s pretty smart, too.” The waitress brings me a fresh drink I didn’t order. One’s my limit tonight, and I move it aside.

  Halle’s friend walks to the table, picking it up and taking a sip. “Hey, sailor.”