Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Before Jack can reply, Sophie returns with the ice, pops the champagne, and pours the bubbly into glasses which another server already set down in front of each of us.
She puts the bottle into the bucket. “Enjoy,” she says, and walks away.
Jack raises his flute and everyone does the same, but it’s Lucas who speaks first. “To the biggest and best corporate event company in Miami and its two fabulous owners.” His gaze meets mine and I flush at the overstatement, but I’m secretly thrilled with his praise.
We all tap glasses before each taking a sip. The bubbles tickle my throat, and I moan at the taste. I’ve always been a champagne girl and this is top shelf.
I run my tongue over my lips. “Delicious.” As I speak, my gaze strays to the man next to me to find him staring, his green eyes darkening, his stare focused on my lips.
Without breaking eye contact, he picks up his drink and takes a swallow of amber liquid from an old-fashioned glass. He’s returned to his drink of choice after using the champagne to toast us, and that means something to me.
“Back to your question.” Jack draws my attention away from Lucas. “I can’t be your contact. I’ll be away scouting a second location for Midnight for a week or so.”
“That’s so exciting! Where are you looking?” Kaylee asks.
“A few places,” Tristan says. “Jacksonville, Nashville, and then Charleston, South Carolina.”
Jack smirks. “We’ll let you know once we narrow things down.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. Be secretive. But we can’t wait until you get back to get started on the plans for the Thunder.”
“Lucas can run point,” my brother says. Since Tristan is more of a silent partner, I know he isn’t an option.
“Oh. Okay, sure.” My stomach flips at the idea of working with the man I’m so attracted to. It’s not that I don’t want to, I just know it’s going to be difficult with the sexual attraction sparking between us.
“Okay with you?” Jack asks his partner.
Lucas, who is leaning back in his seat, glass in one hand, nods. “Of course.”
His continuing stare leaves me lightheaded. “I’ll call you to set up a time that’s good for you,” I manage to tell him.
“I’m looking forward to it.” He finishes his drink and stands. “I have some things I need to handle. Congrats again, ladies.”
“Thanks,” Kaylee and I say at the same time.
I watch as he walks away, noting how well his shirt fits his muscular back, and wonder how I’m going to work side by side with this man and keep my sanity.
CHAPTER TWO
Lucas
It’s a bitch to want something you can’t have. I ought to know. She’s sitting in the VIP section. I nod at my manager and walk to the end of the bar, taking a seat and looking over my domain. That’s what Midnight is. The dream I built from the ground up with my best friend, Jack, and Tristan, who we met our last year in college. When he inherited this building, the idea for Midnight was born.
After a shit ton of blood, sweat, and tears, we own the chicest, hottest nightclub in Miami, and there is no way I’m going to mess up the life I finally have by sleeping with my best friend and partner’s sister. No matter how much I want to.
It would help if the attraction wasn’t mutual, but I have no doubt it is. When I pulled her in for a congratulations hug, she lingered, her arms around my waist and her cheek pressed against my shirt. While I indulged in the feel of her enticing curves, she’d taken a long, deep inhale, remaining in my arms longer than necessary and leaving me with no doubt we were both fighting the same need.
Rainey is everything I like in a woman: petite with lush curves, breasts that would overflow my hands, and an ass I could hold on to while I fucked her hard and deep. Except not only is she Jack’s sister, she’s also a long-term relationship type of girl.
Being Jack’s best friend means I have insight into her life: a high school boyfriend that lasted over a year, a college relationship during her junior and senior years, and aside from other men in her past, there was the dickwad she’d broken up with about a year ago. None of the Dares had liked her ex and when he’d asked Rainey to marry him, they all let out a sigh of relief when she said no.
It doesn’t take a genius to see how different we are. I don’t do relationships. I’ve seen how screwed up my family was and though my foster—now adoptive—parents have a loving relationship, my views have been skewed by sixteen years with a drug addict mother and a father who did everything to help and enable her. As a result, I don’t get emotionally invested, preferring women who satisfy my needs but know the score. Another one of many reasons that puts Jack’s sister off limits.