“So enlighten me.” Max slid Jesse a look but Jesse was doing his bodyguard thing. His gaze slid all the hell over the place, seeing everything.
Max had learned to be vigilant as a teenager, always looking over his shoulder for the cops, but Jesse had been the one who had an early warning system hardwired to his brain. It’d saved their asses more times than Max could count.
“Enlighten you about what?”
“Don’t play fucking word games. Do you have any interest in her?”
“Sonuvabitch.” Jesse stopped, a smile curving his lips. “At least she has good taste in clubs.”
Mary Alice and her BFF stood at the entrance to one of the clubs Max and Jesse owned. Well, hell. At least he’d be able to stalk her from the relative comfort and safety of his own property.
The girls had no trouble getting in. It was a slow night but these two wouldn’t have had a problem getting in any night. And he’d make sure she never had a problem getting into any of his clubs. Then he’d make damn sure no one ever hassled her.
No one except you.
Shit.
As they made their way around the building to the back entrance, Max stepped in front of the door before Jesse could reach for the handle. Their eyes almost on the same level, Max made sure he could see Jesse’s.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Jesse sighed, shoving a hand through stick-straight, coal-black hair. He kept it long now because he could. A silent fuck-you to grandparents long gone.
“You want the truth?”
Max nodded, his gaze pinning Jesse in place. “That’d be nice.”
Jesse shook his head but didn’t drop Max’s gaze. “She’s exactly my type. Exactly our type. And we have no fucking right to involve her in our lives. Not now. Maybe not ever. We are in no way in the clear here. Mickey did as much as he could to make sure no one came after us but you know that’s not a guarantee. You’re still vulnerable.”
Max’s hands curled into fists against the need to rub at his chest, at the burn in the center. “And that might not ever change. But we’re still here. And I’m sick of fucking waiting for what I want.” He paused to breathe, trying to calm the runaway pounding of his heart. “I want her. I’ve wanted her since she stood in front of Tristan’s office door and thought she could stop me from getting past her. But this isn’t just about me.”
Jesse straightened. “Maybe it should be. Or maybe you should stay the hell away from her. I know I should be very, very far away from her.”
Max looked into his friend’s eyes, searching for some kernel of truth in his words. And found none.
“Bullshit.” He said that one word with enough force that Jesse couldn’t mistake his meaning. “That’s absolute fucking bullshit and you know it.”
Jesse sighed again and shook his head, turning to stare back down the street as if he wanted to bolt. But Jesse would never run from Max’s side. And Max would never leave Jesse to fend for himself.
After several seconds, Jesse finally turned back to him, dark eyes narrowed and his mouth a flat line. “You want to hear me say it. Fine. I want her. I want her naked and in bed with us. And I know how much you want the same thing and that makes me want it even more.”
Jesse had moved closer until only inches separated them. Max knew he wouldn’t come any closer.
“But this isn’t just our lives, Max. You know that. What if something happens to her? Can you live with yourself?”
Can I?
Max shook his head. “There’s never gonna be a good time. And I’m sick of waiting. At some point, we gotta take what we want. Or at least try to. And I want her. Do you trust me?”
Jesse sighed hard. “You know I do. Unconditionally. But this isn’t about trust.”
Max nodded. “Yeah, it kinda is.”
Chapter Two
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Bethann grimaced at Mary Alice. “I honestly didn’t know Danny was going to be here. He knows it’s our night out and he promised he wouldn’t intrude.”
Mary Alice rolled her eyes at her best friend and laughed. “Seriously, Bethann. Just go dance with the guy. I know you haven’t been able to see each other much because you’re working opposite shifts. I’m a big girl. I’m completely capable of keeping myself amused.”
“Well, at least come over and meet his friends. Who knows?” Bethann waggled her eyebrows. “You might find one you like.”
Fat chance.
But because she didn’t want her friend to worry, Mary Alice forced a grin then followed Bethann across the room to the booth where her fiancé waited with a smile and two other guys. Nice-looking guys who shook her hand and smiled at her, sizing her up like she was a Hooters waitress.
Though she kept smiling, she had to work hard to keep from grimacing because they were acting like dicks.
They were probably really nice guys…when they weren’t drinking. Tonight, however, they’d obviously had a few too many. They shouted at each other over the music and crowded her on both sides of the booth, high-fiving about stupid shit and doing shots they really didn’t need.
She wished she and Bethann had decided to go to a diner for a piece of pie or a chocolate milkshake but Bethann had wanted to unwind with a drink and dancing after the movie. And since Bethann was an emergency room nurse who’d just come off a four-day stint of twelve-hour shifts, Mary Alice had agreed.
Now she found herself wondering how she could get out of here without hurting her friend’s feelings or getting an unwanted escort home.
When Bethann had suggested this club, Mary Alice had almost suggested another. But that would’ve meant admitting, if only to herself, that she had some objection to coming here.
She didn’t. Of course she didn’t.
The fact that Max Burdanov and Jesse Kanatawa owned this place meant nothing to her.
Yeah, right.
Then again, maybe she’d ask the bartender if the owners were here tonight. Then, if she had the nerve, she’d ask the bartender to tell Max and Jesse she wanted to see them.
Would they care? Or had she completely misread their interest?
And, oh my god, was she crazy? She had to be if she thought she should be anywhere near Max and Jesse.
Adam and Tristan had warned her to stay away from them. Actually, they’d told her flat out to “stay the fuck away from those two sons-of-bitches.” Since she didn’t think her bosses could read her mind, she had to wonder how the hell they’d known what she was thinking because she’d never said anything about Max and Jesse. Not one word about her ridiculous feelings about them.
About how, when she got near them, she got jumpy, twitchy. Hot. How she had fantasies she had no business having, fantasies she should never act on because she lived in her world and they lived in theirs.
Shit.
“So I told my boss there was no fucking way I was doing that.”
She lived in the world where tools like these two on either side of her tried to show how big their dicks were without dropping their pants and proving themselves wrong.
She wanted to roll her eyes but controlled the impulse. Yes, she was twenty-two but she really didn’t enjoy the club scene. Too many stupid people acting like idiots. Too much loud, stupid music that didn’t have any real instruments. She’d rather be at her brother Tommy’s bar in Kensington, shooting pool and talking to the regulars who’d known her since she was born.
All these fake people dressed to impress other fake people made her temples ache. She scowled then quickly covered it when Frat Boy Two offered to get her a drink.
Declining with the excuse she had to get up early tomorrow for work, she gave Frat Boy One a fake smile as he headed toward the bar.
“Was it something we said?”
Frat Boy Two leaned in a little too close for her comfort and she had to rein in her training so she didn’t punch him.
Growing up with four older brothers, she’d learned to protect herself. They’d insisted
she learn self-defense because they wouldn’t always be there to protect her.
Her oldest brother hadn’t been able to protect himself.
Shaking off that heartbreaking thought, she focused her attention on the remaining Frat Boy, willing him to back off. But he was either too drunk or too stupid because he shimmied even closer.
Damn, she really didn’t want to make a scene. And she didn’t want to have to break his fingers if he touched her. But she would if he tried.
She forced a smile and did nothing to hide the fact that it was fake. “Actually, I’ve had a really long day. I’m not going to be good company tonight.”
The guy smiled from behind his perfectly trimmed beard. Ugh.
“You’re doing just fine, sweetheart. Why don’t you tell me what you do for a living?”
Did he actually think she was playing hard to get? Or that she was shy and needed to be coaxed? Lord, save me from clueless assholes.
“I really am tired. I think I’ll just—”
“Here we go.” Frat Boy Two returned from the bar, sliding one glass across the table to his buddy and another one in front of her.
“You can’t leave now.” Frat Boy One smirked. “Just have one drink. I’m sure your friend would want you to.”
No, she really wouldn’t. “I’m going to find my girlfriend right now and tell her I’m leaving. Have a good night.”
She began to slide out of the booth but Frat Boy Two didn’t move.
Damn it. This could get ugly.
She should’ve gone home after the movie, should’ve pleaded exhaustion to Bethann and taken her sorry ass back to her apartment.
“I’d appreciate if you’d move.”
“Come on, ba—”
His sentence ended in an unmanly yelp as Frat Boy Two slid out of the booth. Quickly and not under his own power.
“I believe the lady would like to leave.”
Jesse Kanatawa stood at the entrance to the booth, a large hand on Frat Boy Two’s shoulder, fingers digging into the muscle hard enough that the guy looked to be in pain.
She couldn’t honestly say that bothered her. He deserved whatever he got. She’d asked nicely and he’d been a dick.
What did bother her was her reaction to Jesse.
Breathe, damn it. Just breathe.
Without another word, she slid out of the booth and walked away, not looking back.
But she barely got ten feet before Jesse caught up to her.
“Are you okay?”
His voice was pitched low but she had no trouble hearing him because he’d leaned down to speak into her ear.
He had to lean down pretty far to do it. He towered over her but she’d never realized how much because he’d never gotten this close. She’d only ever seen him at the office where she worked for Tristan and Adam. And never without Max.
Together, they made her thighs quiver. Alone… Hell, alone he did the same.
She was afraid it wouldn’t matter if she was alone with Max or Jesse. She’d have the same damn reaction.
“I’m fine. Thank you for making sure I didn’t cause a scene by breaking the guy’s nose. I’m going home now.”
“Max would like to talk to you. If you have a few minutes.”
No. No, no, no. That wasn’t going to happen. “I’m sorry. I’m tired.”
“Sounds to me like you’re running scared because those assholes frightened you. And that means I’m going to have to crack some heads.”
She stopped and looked up, seeing the absolute conviction in Jesse’s dark eyes. “I’m not running.”
Jesse’s mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile but wouldn’t allow it. “Glad to hear it. Then you can spare Max a few minutes.”
The challenge in his voice made her jaw set and her gaze narrow.
Damn him. “Fine. Just give me a second to tell my friend I’m leaving. And don’t touch those boys. They’re not worth the trouble.”
He didn’t acknowledge her last demand. “I’ll wait for you by the bar.”
Turning on her heel before she changed her mind, she headed for the dance floor, where Bethann and her fiancé Danny moved like a well-oiled machine. They’d been taking lessons together in anticipation of their wedding, but Bethann had always made everyone around her pale in comparison when she danced.
When Bethann saw Mary Alice moving toward her, she waved her hands in the air and started screaming. Not that Mary Alice could hear her. The music was too damn loud. Which also meant Bethann couldn’t hear Mary Alice try to tell her she was leaving.
Or maybe Bethann just ignored her as she grabbed Mary Alice’s hands and pulled her closer then coerced her into dancing.
Since it meant she avoided Jesse and Max for a few more minutes, she danced. Pushing everything out of her head for the length of the song, she let herself move to the music, a sexy Beyoncé remix that got her blood pumping. She let her body shimmy a little more, let her ass shake just a little more suggestively.
In her head, she was saying “fuck you” to the Frat Boys who’d thought they could intimidate her. And maybe, just maybe, it was the fact that Jesse was watching and Max probably could see her, too.
The song came to an end way too soon. Couldn’t put off Jesse any longer.
Leaning in, she spoke directly into Bethann’s ear. “Hey, I’m going to head out. It’s getting late and I have to be in early. I’m sure Danny won’t mind taking you home, considering you’re going to the same place.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.” Bethann looked totally guilty. “I didn’t mean to ditch you. Let me tell Danny we’re going to skip out. We can get some coffee—”
“No, no. We’re good, Bethy. Seriously. I really am tired and I know you need to blow off some steam.”
“Are you sure?”
When Mary Alice nodded, Bethann gave her a tight hug. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Not too early, of course.”
“All right. Do you want Danny and me to walk you back to your car?”
“No, I’ve got an escort.”
Bethann’s eyebrows curved up. “Really?”
“Don’t look so excited. It’s a business associate.”
Bethann’s gaze now narrowed. “Do people really have business associates anymore? You sound like you’re in a spy movie.”
Mary Alice rolled her eyes. “He’s just a guy who knows Adam and Tristan. I’ll be fine.”
“All right, but I want a text when you get home.”
Mary Alice leaned in for a hug. “You got it. Love you. Have fun.”
“I’d say the same to you but I know you too well. Talk to you tomorrow.”
Mary Alice tried to shrug off Bethann’s offhand comment about having fun, but it stuck with her as she made her way back to the bar where Jesse was holding up the end.
Watching her.
She knew how to have fun. She loved hanging with her friends, loved going to the movies and out to dinner and to bars where there were normal people. But she also loved her job. Loved managing the office for Adam and Tristan, loved the work they did, something different every day, and loved the fact that they helped people.
But lately, Jesse and Max had been creeping into her thoughts more than normal. And that was just stupid on her part. Because they were not just regular worker bees, droning along in some conglomerate.
No, they’d worked for one of the most profitable criminals in Philadelphia since they were teens and they’d just taken over part of the business.
Jesse watched her walk toward him, his expression perfectly blank, although she swore he was hiding a smile. And his eyes…those dark eyes glinted in the low light.
I am not attracted to him. I am not attracted to him. I am not—
Damn, who was she kidding? Certainly not her.
Stopping in front of Jesse, she expected him to turn and lead her away but he didn’t. He just stood there, staring down at her.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she raised her eyebrows at him. “What?”
/> “Are you okay?”
She rolled her eyes. “It takes a lot more than two idiots pissing me off to make me not okay.”
“You look tired.”
Did she actually hear concern in his voice?
No, she must be delusional. She’d never seen anything in Jesse’s actions toward her to indicate interest.
She sighed. “Maybe because I am. It’s been a long day.”
“Then why are you here?”
Now she rolled her eyes. “Because I had plans with my friend and I’m not eighty years old and I don’t need to be in bed.”
His gaze narrowed slightly as his gaze dropped to her mouth for several long seconds.
A blush heated her cheeks.
Oh my god, she must be more tired than she’d thought if all it took for her to get flustered was for him to look at her lips.
No. No, no, no. No way in hell.
“You said Max wanted to talk to me.” She made a brushing motion with her hand and his lips quirked. “Well, let’s go. Since I look so tired, I should get home soon.”
Now he smiled outright and her freaking thighs wanted to clench.
Jesus. She was crazy. Absolutely insane if she thought—
No, she wasn’t even going to think those thoughts.
Jesse straightened away from the bar where he’d been leaning and waved her toward the door to the right.
Of course, he reached it before she did and held it open for her. The door wasn’t all that wide and her shoulder brushed against his chest as she passed.
A shiver worked its way up her back but she refused to let it show. Instead, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and lifted her chin in the air.
She’d find out what Max wanted and she’d go home.
Alone.
Of course alone. Just like every other night.
Grr.
“Something wrong?”
Jesse walked at her side down a long hallway. They passed a couple of doors but Jesse didn’t slow.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“You seem a little tense.”
“I’m fine.”
He touched her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. “Do I scare you?”
Kobo Indecent Arrangment Part I Page 2
