Adelina was disgusted with Tess’s act, and the way she clung to Flynn. She felt her temper rising again, and as she reminded herself about their disinterest in her, she felt the hand on her shoulder.
“Adelina?”
She recognized the voice immediately. She turned and looked up to see Raymond. She knew she must have appeared as shocked as she felt, as Raymond leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“You look stunning. How is the hand?” he asked her, as he held her gaze.
She was so surprised to see him there. Initially she felt embarrassed and as she turned to look at Flynn who had Tess practically climbing up him and two of her friends holding Jett’s arms on either side of him, she dismissed the whole scene. Turning back toward Raymond who seemed to be in a staring contest with Flynn, she took his arm and led him away from the scene. Now this would be the distraction she needed.
“So, it’s such a nice surprise, you being here. Where are your friends?” she asked, looking around, and releasing his arm now that they were a distance from the soap opera situation.
Raymond smiled at her and then winked. She felt her belly flutter with interest.
“I kind of lied about coming here with friends.” He reached out and bushed his thumb gently against her chin as he held her gaze. “I couldn’t get you out of my mind after we met today.”
Adelina felt her cheeks warm, and as a group of people passed by, Raymond pulled her closer to him and near the bar. She was lost in the crazy sensations and hopes that were filtering through her head. This was what she wanted. A man who paid her complete attention and whispered sexy things like this to her.
His hand remained on her hip, as his arm leaned on the bar. He pulled her closer to him, since the music was loud. He smelled so good, too. By the looks of his dress shirt and designer jeans, the man had money. His accent was the kicker though.
“You look stunning, all dressed up. I spotted you from across the room.”
She raised one eyebrow up at him. She may be completely turned on by the accent, but she wasn’t born yesterday.
“Perhaps it was the bandage?” She raised it up. He reached gently for her bandaged hand and placed it against his chest, as he held her gaze.
“Definitely not the bandage. I told you, Adelina, that I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“You did mention that.”
He gave a sly smile. “You don’t believe me?”
“I’m a born and raised New Yorker. What’s your deal, Raymond?” she challenged him. His grip on her waist tightened as he jerked her slightly against him. She gasped, as he pressed his nose and lips against her ear.
“You turn me on. You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve seen in a long time. I want to get to know you. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
She locked gazes with him. Inhaled his cologne, and felt the attraction. The moment she thought that in her head, she imagined Jett and Flynn. She wanted them still so badly. They did things to her body without even touching her. But they made themselves clear. Especially tonight. They saw her as nothing more than their club manager. It was time to take a chance on something new.
“Say you’ll have dinner with me Sunday night? It’s your night off.”
“I don’t know you.”
“That’s the point, and I’m trying to change that fact.” He gave her hip a squeeze. She felt his palm slightly over the top of her ass, but the fingers hadn’t quite moved a hair lower. She was surprised that she wanted him to.
“Okay. But how about I meet you?”
He raised one eyebrow up. “Can I send my car for you?”
“A car?”
He gave a small smile. “Of course. It’s not a problem, and you can tell the driver when you want to leave if you’re not enjoying my company.”
She smirked. “Then you’ll know where I live. I think that’s moving too fast. Why don’t I meet you? It’s not a problem.”
“Okay, have it your way. This time. But on the next date, my driver and I will pick you up.”
“Oh, you’re that confident that there’ll be a second date?”
“I sure hope there will be.”
“Adelina, are you on tonight? Sally needs you in the back,” Murph stated, interrupting the moment. She knew she looked flushed. Hell, she could feel the perspiration under her cleavage and down her spine.
She pulled back and looked toward Murph. “Tell her I’m coming.”
Raymond tapped her waist.
“You’re busy. I’m sorry to bother you at work. Here’s my number. Call and I’ll confirm the place and time on Sunday.”
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll call you.”
“You’d better.” He placed his finger under her chin and gave her a wink. He looked really sexy. “Good night.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
She watched him walk away, and saw the women eyeing him. But he didn’t pay attention to them. Raymond turned and looked at her, winked, and then walked through the crowd until she could no longer see him.
She turned around.
“Who the hell is that?” Murph asked, sending her back into the present. She cleared her throat and pushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek.
“That is my first step in a new direction.”
* * * *
“Who the hell was that guy?” Flynn asked Jett once they got rid of Tess and her friends.
“I don’t know. Did he look familiar to you?” Jett asked as they made their way to the back room. The guys were going to start showing up soon for poker night.
“No. He looked awfully friendly with Adelina. He practically had his hand on her ass,” Flynn stated, and he heard the anger in his voice. He felt it in his chest. He was jealous. He had an opportunity to come clean with Adelina or at minimum, tell her that he was attracted to her, but he didn’t want to destroy their friendship.
Yeah, right. That was bullshit. I’m too afraid to take the chance, and perhaps hurt her or lose her. She’s too important. I’ve gone out with dozens of women. Adelina witnessed it and never let on to any jealousy or insult. So why do I feel like shit right now? Why do I feel like hitting someone?
“I feel like hitting someone or something,” Jett stated, and Flynn swung his head to look at his brother.
The man was trying to straighten out the deck of cards, the basket of pretzels, and the napkins that were already in place, thanks to Adelina.
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
“We should call her in here,” Jett stated, and he looked upset. Flynn could tell when his brother was hashing something over. He was biting the inside of his cheek and his eyes looked darker. Flynn wondered what thoughts were going through Jett’s head right now. Obviously, they both wanted to know who the guy was that showed up tonight for Adelina.
“We can’t do that. What the hell are we going to ask her?” Flynn asked then released an annoyed sigh.
Jett mulled it over a moment. “Fuck. You’re right. We can’t. We can, however, find out who the guy is.”
“How?”
Jett looked at Flynn and then they both smiled and said at the same time, “Murph.”
The door opened and an abundance of laughter filled the room. The guys had arrived, and talking to Murph would have to wait until later tonight.
“The place is kicking out there, and Adelina, holy shit, does she look good,” Cash stated.
“She looks really attractive in anything. But that dress, and the way it snugs her body. Damn. Someone ought to scoop that chick up,” Zane added.
“You’re not kidding,” Emerson joined in.
Nash and Riker were laughing along with Hudson and Jagger who greeted Jett and Flynn.
“She always looks good. How’s Toni?” Jett asked Stone.
He winked at him. “She’s fine and sweet as ever.” Stone placed a box from Bliss down onto the table. The guys all went crazy.
“Damn, you two are going to have to hit the gym day and night. Toni’s amazing,�
�� Nash stated as he popped a mini cheesecake into his mouth. The others added similar comments.
“Looks like we all hit the jackpot with our women. Cash and Zane have Chiara, and these two benefit from the freshest seafood around to supply their club and restaurant with,” Emerson said as he pointed to Nash and Riker.
“What about Hudson and Jagger with Tia Rose? That woman is so resourceful, and damn, does she have a very creative mind,” Stone added.
“Tell me about it. She’s even more creative in bed,” Jagger replied, sounding cocky. Flynn laughed as he shook his head.
“Don’t forget Chastity. Shit, Jett and I should have moved in on her way before you guys came along,” Flynn teased, trying to get under Nash and Riker’s skin.
“You two? No fucking way that would have happened.” Riker replied.
“Why is that?” Jett asked.
“Because the two of you already have your sights set on Adelina. You’re just too fucking scared to admit it,” Nash told them.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Cash and Zane told us about the video surveillance tape. About how drunk you were and how you were practically all over Adelina,” Stone added to the conversation. Flynn was embarrassed, but also annoyed. These guys should know better than to bring up women in here or challenge their decisions.
“That’s bullshit. There’s nothing going on,” Flynn said as he took a seat at the table.
“Yeah, and no women talk in here, remember?” Jett added.
“We’re just saying that you two need to get your heads out of your asses and grab Adelina before someone else does,” Riker told them.
“Yeah, stop acting like a bunch of fucking pussies and grab that woman. Being scared of a commitment or even getting hurt is fucking lame,” Cash said.
“That kind of thinking can eat you up inside,” Zane added as he poured a glass of Bourbon.
Flynn remembered how Zane and Cash had cut off the world. So did Nash and Riker. They all had issues.
“Thank you, Dr. Phil. Now, can we play some fucking poker?” Jett asked firmly, with a very angry expression on his face.
“Whoa! What’s your problem? Hit a sensitive nerve with you, Jett?” Zane asked.
Jett looked up and stared at their friends. They were all silent.
“Just leave it alone. Not another fucking word about us and Adelina.”
Zane raised his hands up palms forward. “No problem, boss. Let’s deal the cards.”
Jett didn’t even look at Flynn. His brother didn’t have to. Flynn was feeling the exact same way. They needed to do something about Adelina. But what?
* * * *
Adelina was getting ready to leave for the night. Surprisingly, she wasn’t feeling tired. She felt kind of high strung. She didn’t know if she was imagining things, but as soon as Jett and Flynn’s friends left, both men remained nearby. Every chance one of them had to talk with her, bump into her, or nonchalantly caress her hand, her waist, or her arm, they took full advantage of it. She couldn’t help but feel a bit unnerved by it. Why, suddenly, were they paying so much attention to her? Usually after they hung with their friends, the group of them would venture out to the club, have some drinks, and party a little. The others now had girlfriends, so they headed home to them, but not Jett and Flynn. Especially not Flynn. He always searched for some woman to play with for the evening.
She hated that part of the night. Watching them, waiting on pins and needles to see if they would hook up with another woman, when all she really wanted was for that woman to be her. Adelina shook her head as she looked over the order form she had left for Flynn. He had forgotten about the new sets of beer mugs needed for the back bar. She shook her head. He probably just skimmed the list and never even bothered to look at it closely. Wasn’t he worried that she could say she was ordering other things and then pocket the money? They trusted her, and rightfully so, but she may not be around this place for the long haul. It was just getting to be too much to be around them and not want them.
She thought about Raymond. The man was suave. Definitely older than her, but she was always more mature. Life’s curveballs sure did make her grow up fast and take the hits as they came. She wondered how Bryer was doing and if he got to sleep okay. He was so upset about feeling weak and missing the kickball game.
The tears filled her eyes and as she gathered the papers to look over the rest of the list. The moment she felt the hand on her waist, she jerked to the right and there was Flynn. Piercing blue eyes, jet-black hair, and the aroma of masculine cologne attacked her body.
“Hey,” she stated, sounding breathless. He did that to her. He made her whole body feel like a jolt of an electric shock hit it hard.
She looked down at the paper, and his hand rested on her hip bone. Her pussy clenched and her legs suddenly felt unstable. Goddamn it. I can’t take this.
“Hey yourself. You getting ready to leave or can you stay and have a drink with Jett and I?” he asked.
She turned toward him, absolutely shocked by his words.
“A drink with you? Why?” she asked, suddenly on the defensive.
His eyes widened slightly, and then Flynn took on that look of charm and superiority.
“Because I’m your boss, and we’d like to talk with you.”
Of course. They’re my bosses and want to talk to me. Why the hell did I get excited? Why would I think it meant more? Why do I keep doing this to myself? They don’t want me. Not like I want them.
She cleared her throat. “Okay, I need to talk to you about this order anyway.”
“What seems to be the problem?” he asked, as he leaned against her, looking over her shoulder, and wrapping his arm around her waist.
She felt her voice get caught in her throat. What was he up to? Why was Flynn doing this? Why now? She needed some space. She couldn’t think with his body pressed against hers. Her mind couldn’t focus, but instead she imagined them naked. Him standing behind her, his dick deep in her pussy, making her scream his name.
“Flynn, you didn’t even check this over. You have to be more careful.” She stepped out of his hold and to the side. She pointed at the line, the items he missed.
He looked down at her, and his size, his masculinity did a number on her nerves.
“I trust you, Adelina. Don’t you know that?” he asked softly.
She was dumbfounded by his whispering words, the way his striking blue eyes roamed over her body. Why was he being like this?
“Well, you need to be more careful. What if I’m not here or I leave one day, then what?”
“Leave?” he asked, reaching for her arm and caressing it. “You can’t leave. Why would you?”
She took a deep breath and released it. “I didn’t say that I am. I’m just saying that you need to be aware of what’s going on so you can handle it. Someone could rip you off.”
“Not gonna happen. Now come on. Join Jett and I.”
Reluctantly she followed him toward a table near the back. The place was slowly closing down. Just a few more stragglers.
As she approached the table, she noticed Murph talking to Jett. Then Jett looked at her. His dark blue eyes were a deep contrast to the black shirt he wore tonight. Both he and Flynn had such serious, sometimes cold eyes. Their jet black hair, tan complexions and ability to unnerve most people with just their stare alone, was powerful. Like right now. Jett looked lethal. Her whole body reacted. When he looked at her like that, she wanted to raise her hands up into the air, throw her head back, and moan “Take me.” Jesus, I need some serious help.
Murph locked gazes with her, and he shrugged his shoulders then whispered the word, “Sorry.” She had no idea what that meant, but it didn’t sit right at all with her.
“Adelina, please, sit down.” Jett motioned with his hand for her to take a seat at the table. His tone and his expression were dark, and she immediately knew that he was up to something. She could read it in his eyes. He held her gaze as she
looked up at him. A bottle of wine sat on the table, along with three glasses. Flynn poured them each a glass and then handed her one.
“To another great night. You’re appreciated, Adelina, you know that, don’t you?” Jett asked, as he made the toast. She clinked her glass against theirs and held tightly as she took a sip. Her belly ached.
“Thank you, Jett. I appreciate that. So what’s going on?” she asked. She wanted to get down to it. Being this close to and sharing glasses of wine with the two men she fantasized about fucking for the last year was too difficult to handle.
Jett leaned back into his chair, his debonair expression and confidence suited him well.
“So, how is life?” he asked. Small talk? Interesting.
“Life is good, and you?” she replied hesitantly. What the hell were these two getting at?
* * * *
Jett was trying his hardest to figure out how to ask her about the guy from tonight. Murph initially wasn’t too keen on giving up any information, but it seemed that Adelina just recently met the guy. Kind of soon for him to show up at her work place and then hold her the way he was.
“About the Tess situation,” Flynn said, and then licked his lower lip as he stared at her deeply.
“He appreciates the fact that you were looking out for him, but we are grown men. We can handle things.”
“Speaking of looking out for one another, who was the guy that visited before?” Flynn interjected and Jett didn’t think it was a smooth way to handle the questioning at all. It seemed that Flynn was just as anxious to know.
Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at Flynn and then Jett.
“What guy?” she asked.
“The one from earlier? The one who showed up while we were handling the Tess situation,” Jett said.
She opened her mouth to speak and then thought better of it. She leaned back into her chair and stared at Flynn and then Jett.
“I don’t believe this.”
“You don’t believe what?” Flynn asked, and Jett had that instant feeling that Flynn’s direct question sent the wrong message.
Phantom's Destruction or Destiny [Power Surge: The Billionaire Club 5 ] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 5
