3. Jen
THREE
Jen
“How’s the bakery business treating you?”
I look over the rim of my water glass and into John’s blue eyes. This is our second date, and John Barron is a looker.
He’s dressed to impress in his blue suit that makes his even bluer eyes pop. He’s left the tie in the car or maybe his office since he likely just came here from work. His white shirt is crisp, and he has left a couple of buttons undone, teasing me with a hint of dark hair and toned, tanned skin, which tells me two things about this man: John takes care of himself, and he spends time outside. Both things are working for him.
His ensemble is tailored to perfection. That also tells me John has money, but I already knew that.
He comes into the bakery with one of our regulars, Alaric Jagger, who owns a tech firm just down the street from the bakery. They usually come together once a month for lunch, since the bakery is the midway point between their offices. That’s actually how we met. John came for lunch with Alaric. We ended up just chatting, and John asked me out. I saw no reason not to go, and it’s not like anyone else is asking me out on dates.
John is a bit older than the men I usually date; well, when I date, I haven’t been doing much of that lately. The gray hair sprinkled throughout his trimmed beard backs up that theory. He is definitely a silver fox. He is also kind and, so far, fun and available for more than just sex.
Everything that Maddox Case isn’t.
“It’s good. We just catered a party for the Tennessee Mountaineers last night.” I sip my wine and look around the restaurant.
“Oh, so you did meet Rimmington Banks? He’s an old friend.”
I can’t help but laugh. Of course, John would be friends with Rim. They remind me a lot of each other—handsome, kind, and ridiculously wealthy.
“He’s actually married to my best friend.”
“Is he? I hadn’t realized he had gotten married. He used to do some business with us at our Vegas firm.”
“Yeah, they’ve been married for a while.” I am not going into the specifics; that isn’t my story.
“No matter how much this city grows, it’s still a small town.”
“Isn’t that the truth, John? So, how’s the security business treating you?”
I look around the beautiful dining room at Angelica’s Etoile. The space is gorgeous and formal, and this is the same restaurant that Glory attacked Beck in, back in one of the private rooms. I think about that story and smile. Our girl sure is a horn dog.
But my smile doesn’t last long because in walks Maddox Case.
“You have got to be shitting me,” I mumble under my breath, and I am confident the stem of this water glass might crack in my hand from the death grip I have on it.
“Excuse me, did you say something, Jen?”
Shit. I turn my attention back to John, where it should be.
“Sorry about that. What were you saying?”
“Nothing really, just that our firm was tasked with the Prince and new Princess of Lovolia’s security when they visit America. We’re excited about the opportunity to work with the crown and the royal guard accompanying them.”
“That’s neat,” I quietly reply, barely listening as I watch Maddox strut through the restaurant to his table. He’s with Tyson Crawford, the lead singer of their band, Beauty of Atrocity, and every woman in this restaurant is turning to watch them strut over to their table. I can guarantee there isn’t a dry pair of panties in this place.
They both look sexy as hell, the bastards.
“I’m sorry, Jen. Am I missing something here?”
I snap my attention to John.
“What’s going on? Be straight with me.”
Shit, I can’t believe I zoned out like that. How freaking rude of me, but that’s how it is when Maddox is in my orbit. I’m drawn to him.
“Shit, John. I’m sorry.” I sip my water and decide it’s best, just to be honest. “You were right when you said this city is a small town. I don’t know if you know who Maddox Case is, but he just came in. Well, he’s not my boyfriend. We’re not even dating, but he’s something.”
That’s about as honest as I can put it without telling this man that Madd is my fuck buddy.
John turns in his chair and peers over at Madd and Tyson. Of course, that is the exact moment Madd locks eyes with me. He smiles, really big at first, but then he notices my company.
If looks could kill, dear John would be dead.
John turns back in his seat to face me, chuckles, and damn, even his confident laugh is sexy. “Looks like we’ve been spotted. I can guarantee you that the look on his face is the look of a very jealous man.”
I scoff at the absurdity of John’s words. “Trust me, John, he isn’t concerned with me and what I do or with whom I do it.”
Just as long as I am around to fuck when he needs it.
I sip my water and glance at Maddox. Damn him. He looks so good tonight: dark gray button-up shirt and black slacks. The band must have had a meeting with studio execs. It’s the only time any of them really dress up.
I don’t know why any of this bothers me now. It didn’t until recently, and I don’t know when that changed for me or why. Once upon a time, our arrangement was simple and a way to scratch that itch; lately, it seems to be getting more complicated.
“Trust me, sweetheart, if the man has any sense, he should be jealous right now.” John smiles at me, leans back in his seat, grabs a piece of bread from the cutting board, and pops it into his mouth. “Jesus, this bread is phenomenal.”
I can’t help but laugh; he sounds like Evelyn. And as for John, well, he’s pretty impressive himself.
“I like you, John. You don’t play games.” I tip my glass in his direction. I opted for water tonight. I have to wake up way too early and open the bakery, but now with Maddox here in front of me, I wish I could guzzle a bottle of this restaurant’s finest.
“Figures that I meet a cool lady, and she’s already spoken for.”
I practically choke on my water. I ask, sputtering, “What? No, no way.”
John chuckles that seductive laugh. “Ah, I see neither of you has realized it yet. That’s okay. Sometimes these things come with age and time. This guy, Maddox, is a fool if he doesn’t make you his and soon.”
Psh, this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Maddox wants what’s between my legs, not what’s in my heart.