Chapter 21
Hunter
C arluccios is loud and busy, as I scan the room for my employees, but really I’m only looking for one in particular.
Tink.
When I find her tucked into a corner booth with the rest of the team laughing and joking, my heart swells. She really has fitted straight in. The team loves her just like I knew they would.
As I reach the table, Joe gets up to allow me to sit next to Jade. “Here you are, boss. I’ll go get you a drink. Beer?”
“Please, Joe. Thanks.”
My thigh brushes against Jade’s as I sit next to her. “Settle this one, Hunter. Chocolate. Do you keep it in the fridge or the cupboard?” I go to answer, but she holds her hand up to stop me. “Think carefully before you answer, as it will determine if I put you in the serial killer box or not.”
“Fridge.”
She looks horrified. “I’m working with a bunch of serial killers.” Everyone erupts in fits of laughter. “You’re all so weird.”
Joe returns with my beer. “Did he agree with you, Jade?”
She glares at him, pouting “No, he did not.” Her plump bottom lip makes my cock twitch in my pants. Joe throws his head back, letting out a huge chuckle, and I can’t help but join in. “Oh, lap it up, but I’m the one who’s going to have to watch her back. It's only a matter of time before I’m going to be on a missing person's report. My chopped up body parts dragged out of the Thames.” The table erupts in laughter again at her outburst, and her mask slips as she joins in.
“I think they’ve set us up.” The whole group has abandoned us, and is now gathered around the bar, leaving me and Jade alone in the booth, and I’m definitely not mad about it.
“It seems that way.” Her teeth nip her bottom lip and I forget where we are, gently pulling it free with my thumb before grazing my hand down the column of her neck. Her body leans into my touch and my cock twitches as she brings her hand to rest on my thigh. Her cheeks are slightly flushed from the alcohol and her breaths are irregular. Her grip on my thigh burns through the material of my pants. My heart practically stops beating as she runs her hand higher, the tips of her fingers lightly grazing my hardening cock. I weave my hands into the hair at the nape of her neck and coax her toward me, as I graze my other hand slowly up her thigh under the table. My heart rate skyrockets as she doesn’t resist. Her legs slightly part as my palm reaches the slit in her skirt. The warmth of her silky-soft skin has me sucking in a sharp breath.
A loud cheer from the table behind us has her jumping back, and shaking her head and straightening out her skirt.
“Tonight’s been fun, but I think I’m going to get an Uber and go home.” I sigh at her sudden mood change but quickly shake myself off because she will give in, but in her own time. But my now semi-hard cock is pressing against my zipper, and I take a few deep breaths to calm him down. “The drinks are starting to take effect.” She fumbles in her bag for her phone, frowning at the screen.
“Can I get my driver to take you home instead?” She doesn’t seem to be listening to me, too busy looking at her phone. “Jade?” I tip her chin with my finger so she looks at me. “You okay?”
“Yes, sorry. I’m fine.” She rubs her temples before putting her phone back in her bag.
“Let me take you home.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.” Her voice is a little shaky when she meets my gaze.
“I just want to know you’re home safely. If it makes you feel better, I’ll get an Uber, but my driver will be taking you home. That’s non-negotiable.” I raise my eyebrows at her, waiting for her to fight me.
“Okay, thank you.” Her shoulders relax before she stands. “Let me just tell the others we’re leaving.” She goes to the bar to tell Joe and the others we’re leaving while I message my driver to come to pick Jade up and wait for her outside the bar.
She appears next to me wrapping her arms around herself. “Well, they all think we’re off to have sex now,” she mutters
I huff out a laugh. “Shame they’re wrong.” My voice is quiet as I spot my driver pull up in my Audi.
“Yep.” She shifts slightly on her heels as I open the door for her. Before she slides in she lifts onto her tiptoes and places a kiss to the corner of my mouth, lingering there for a few seconds before pulling away. That gentle touch makes my stomach flip. “Thank you,” she whispers
“You’re welcome, Tink. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Monday, right.” She lowers her head as she climbs inside and I close the door watching her vanish into the night, wishing I was leaving with her.