Southern Attraction

by Kaylee Ryan

  “You can’t argue until you’ve tried it.” He scoops a big bite on his fork and holds it out for me. I swallow, take a sip of water, and lean in to take the sample he’s offering. My eyes connect with his and I literally feel the heat from his stare. “Well?” His voice is raspy.

  “Mmm, good, but mine are better.” I cut off some and offer it to him, even though I know he’s already had them.

  He doesn’t disappoint as he leans in and takes a bite. “Mine,” he says with conviction.

  I don’t think we’re talking about food anymore. We’re interrupted by the waitress asking if we need refills and the spell is broken. I’m in over my head here; nothing in my experience has ever felt like this. Deep-seated attraction, the need to just be with another person. It’s all-consuming. We make small talk through breakfast nothing too heavy, but the lingering attraction is there. It always is with us.

  “You ready?” he asks once we’re in the truck.

  “Yes, but are you sure I shouldn’t call first?”

  “Promise. She’s going to love the surprise.”

  I watch as he furrows his brow.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Maybe we should wait a day or so to tell her you’re here.”

  “What?” I laugh. “Why? She’s not going to be mad, Michael.”

  Reaching over the console, he laces his fingers through mine. “I know that. But once she finds out you’re here, she’s going to monopolize all of your time. I selfishly want you all to myself.”

  “You’re good for my ego,” I tease him.

  “Just telling you how I feel.”

  “I’m sure she’ll have some wedding stuff to do, but I promise to come to your place every night,” I say as we pull into the long lane that leads us to Whit and Aaron’s place.

  He looks over at me. “That’s more than I could ask for.”

  We pull up outside of the house and climb out of the truck. Mike holds his hand out and I readily accept it as we walk up the front porch. Raising my hand, I push the doorbell. I hear Aaron yell out that he’ll get it. When he opens the door, his eyes widen.

  “Are you okay?” he asks.

  “Yes.”

  He smiles. “Whit, baby, can you come here,” he yells over his shoulder.

  “What’s going—” She stops when she sees Mike and me standing in the foyer. I watch as realization washes over her and she squeals. “Eeeek!” She rushes me and throws her arms around me in a hug. I hug her back. I miss my best friend. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” She steps out of our hug and stands on tiptoes to kiss Mike on the cheek, stepping back into Aaron’s waiting arms.

  Mike slides his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “She showed up last night.”

  Whit’s eyes find mine. “You good?” she asks again.

  “Yeah. Are we interrupting anything?”

  “Never, I was just folding laundry. Come in.” She grabs my hand and pulls me to the living room. I hear Mike and Aaron laughing behind us. “Spill,” she says once we’re sitting on the couch, facing each other. I spend the next twenty minutes explaining what brought me to Kentucky on a whim. She glances over her shoulder to where the guys are sitting at the kitchen island. “You’re in love with him.”

  I shrug. “I care about him, more than anyone else I’ve ever dated, but I can’t really say.”

  “You moving here?” she asks.

  “No. I’m here early for the wedding. I’ll go home after that and decide what to do.”

  “You’re staying with him while you’re here?”

  “Yes. He asked me to and… that’s where I want to be,” I admit.

  “I just worry about you and him. I worry about both of you getting hurt.”

  “I think we’re past that point. I know hurt is inevitable. I’m in too deep.” Looking over my shoulder, I find his eyes and they soften. “We both are.”

  “You could stay.”

  “You know I can’t.”

  “That’s bullshit and you know it.”

  “My parents, my career. Now’s my chance, Whit. I’ve always wanted to branch out to a bigger firm. My loyalty lay with Mr. Warren, but now… now it’s time to pursue the career I’ve always dreamed about.”

  “What do you ladies want to do today?” Aaron asks as he and Mike join us in the living room. I watch as Aaron picks Whit up and takes her spot, sitting her on his lap. Mike slides in next to me.

  “Mike and I are going to the bar for a while. I want to see where the magic happens.” I waggle my eyebrows and Whit bursts out laughing. “You have any last-minute wedding stuff you need help with?”

  “No, it’s all good. We’re ready.” She looks at Aaron and smiles.

  “Good. Well, I’m here if you think of anything. Might as well put me to work while I’m here.”

  “You all coming to Sunday dinner?” Mike asks them.

  “We are now,” Whit tells him.

  “Good, we’ll see you then.” He stands from the couch and holds his hand out for me. I put mine in his and allow him to pull me from the couch.

  Whit jumps up and wraps me in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me too. This one needs to work this week, so can we get together sometime?”

  “You can count on it,” she assures me, then turns to Mike. “Take care of her.”

  His eyes lock on mine. “You can count on it.”

  Jamie insisted we run by the bar. I admit that I really want to check on things. I was too… I’m not sure what I would call my mood yesterday. All I know is that I missed her and I was in no shape from my sleepless night the evening before to be there.

  Reaching over the console, I place my hand on her knee. I’m not sure if it’s for reassurance that she really is here for two entire weeks or it’s because the attraction I feel for her burns deep inside me and that craving to touch her all the time wins. Either way, she’s here and my hands are on her.

  “Whose car is that?” she asks when we pull in behind Liv’s new Honda Accord.

  “Olivia’s, she just bought it last week.” She climb out of the truck and beats me to the front, not giving me the opportunity to open her door for her. “Liv,” I call out once we’re inside.

  “Back here,” she yells back.

  With her hand in mine, I lead Jamie back to the office. It’s large with two desks, another change I made. I wanted Olivia to feel like this was just as much hers at it is mine. “Hey,” I say in greeting.

  She looks up and her eyes go wide. “Jamie!” She’s out of her chair and wrapping her in a hug. Then she turns to me. “You didn’t tell me she was coming.” She pushes against my chest.

  “I didn’t know,” I laugh at her.

  “Everything okay?” she asks, concerned.

  “Yes, I think I mentioned that I thought my boss was going to retire?” Olivia nods. “Well, he did and here I am.”

  “On my God, are you moving here?” Liv jumps up and down in excitement.

  “No, I’m just here until after the wedding. I figured I would spend a few extra days here.”

  Olivia turns to me. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “Uh, I wanted to check on things, and Jamie wanted to see behind the scenes.”

  Liv looks over at Jamie. “You’ve been here before.”

  Jamie shrugs. “Yeah, but that’s the only way I knew I could get him to come. I know he lives and breathes for this place. I felt guilty that he wasn’t at least stopping in because I showed up on his doorstep.”

  “Not anymore,” Liv says under her breath. It’s not quite low enough since I hear her and she’s right. Not anymore. I don’t know when it changed for sure, but Jamie’s at the top of my priorities list, hands down. “Things are good here,” she says, louder this time. “Deposits have been made, order has been placed, staff is all good to go. Now go enjoy your time together.”

  “Why don’t we take over tonight, let you and David go out,” I offer.


  “You only have two weeks,” she says, her eyes darting between Jamie and me.

  “We need to work out a schedule so we’re both not here all the time.”

  “Okay, in a few weeks we can make that happen. Now go. Besides, this is good for me. I need to see what the pressure is like if I’m going to do this.”

  I stare at her to make sure this is what she really wants. Her smile is bright and I can tell she’s happy. “Fine, but not tonight. We’ll be here. You go call my friend and tell him you’re his for the night.”

  She laughs. “My boyfriend will be excited. Sunday dinner this week?”

  I look over at Jamie and she’s smiling. “We’ll be there.”

  “Okay, boss man, what do we need to do?” Jamie asks me.

  “Nothing, Liv has it all covered. She ordered, balanced the books, so really we don’t need to be here all night.”

  “Yeah, but I kind of want to,” she confesses. “It’s another piece of you I get to see. Michael Wallace, the bar owner. I want to see you in boss mode.”

  “Really? Why’s that?”

  “It’s hot,” she says, green eyes shining.

  “Hot, you say?”

  “Yep.”

  I stand from my chair where we’re sitting in my office. The night’s been going smooth, normal for a Wednesday night. Then again, I’ve been back here most of the night. I told the staff not to bother us unless they absolutely have to. I walk to the door, closing it and flipping the lock, then make my way back to where she’s sitting on the corner of my desk. Her legs fall open and I step between her thighs. “I can make it hotter,” I say, kissing her neck.

  “Prove it,” she taunts.

  I can feel her pulse in her neck as I trace it with my tongue, tasting her. Running my hands underneath her tank top, I push up until I reach her neck. She grabs it and pulls it over her head. Reaching behind her, I deftly unhook her bra and let it fall to my desk. “You’re so fucking gorgeous.” I capture a pert nipple between my lips and suck hard, her head falling back as she moans.

  “Like I said, hot,” she murmurs when I switch sides, her hands buried in my hair.

  Tugging on the neck of my shirt, I pull it over my head. “Shorts off, darlin,’” I grit out. I’ve fought being with her for months and now that I’ve had her, I want her even more. I never would’ve thought that would’ve been possible. Taking a step back, I give her room to stand and discard her shorts. I grab my wallet and retrieve a condom before dropping it to my desk and kicking out of my shorts and boxer briefs.

  “Now what, boss?” she asks, batting pretty green eyes up at me.

  “On the desk,” I say, dropping to my knees. “Open.” With a hand on each knee, I pull her legs apart and take her in. I can see how much she’s enjoying this. With my index finger, I trace her swollen lips, her desire coating my finger. Not able to wait a second longer, I lean in and taste her.

  “Shit,” she hisses. I hear her hands slap the desk and I know she’s holding on. Good. She’s going to need to for what I have planned.

  I bury my face between her legs and feast on her. “Mike.” My name is a plea from her lips. Her legs clamp around my neck and she lifts her hips. I add a finger, needing to finish this. I need to be inside of her. Now.

  “Yes, there, don’t—”

  “Mmm,” I moan and the vibration sends her over the edge. As soon as her legs drop, I grab the condom, sheath myself and slide home. She’s tight and her muscles are still contracting from her orgasm, squeezing the hell out of my cock.

  “Again,” I say, pushing in and out of her. I need her to come again.

  “I can’t. Mike, it’s too much,” she complains, her nails digging into my shoulders.

  I pick her up and her legs wrap around my waist. I begin to lift her up and down until she catches on to the rhythm and I only have to hold onto her, hold on for the ride. I feel her start to tighten and I brace my legs apart, slamming her down on my cock.

  “Unhhh!” she screams, unable to form words.

  I grip her ass and lift her, pressing my lips to hers as we swallow each other’s moans. Pulling away from the kiss, she buries her face in my neck. I remove my hands from her waist and wrap them around her, holding her tight, my cock still buried inside of her.

  “What was that?” she mumbles.

  “That was us, Jamie.”

  Her lips connect with my neck and her legs loosen around my waist. Reluctantly I lift her off me and set her on her feet, keeping my arms around her until she gains her balance. “My legs are shaking,” she chuckles.

  “Did that fulfill your fantasy?”

  “Not a fantasy, but it was… hot.” She grins.

  “Funny girl. Get dressed.”

  Just as I’m zipping up my shorts and she’s sliding her tank over her head, there’s a knock at the door. “Uh, Mike.” My bartender, Joe’s, voice is hesitant.

  “Yeah,” I call out.

  “Your friends are here asking for you. I told them you were busy, but they insisted I get you.”

  Jamie laughs. Not just a little chuckle either—she throws her head back for a deep belly laugh. I forget about everything but her as I stand there and take in her beauty.

  “Mike,” Joe calls again.

  “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” I turn to her. “What’s so funny?”

  It takes her a minute to get herself under control before she answers. “This, us.” She laughs again. “This is the riskiest, hottest thing I’ve ever done with a roomful of people just outside that door and down the hall, and now we can add our friends to that list.”

  I love how she says “our” friends. With each passing day, we’re becoming more and more engrained in each other’s lives. I wouldn’t have it any other way. “You good?” I ask, raking my eyes over her. There’s no hiding what we just did; she’s glowing from the aftereffects of her orgasm.

  “I’m good. No point in trying to hide it.”

  I pull her into me and kiss her hard, one more time, before I have to share her.

  “They’re waiting,” she mumbles against my lips.

  “Fine,” I concede. “But I want to go on record stating the only reason I’m letting you out of this office is because I know you’re coming home with me and will be in my bed in a few hours.”

  She nods, smiling, and I twist the lock on the door and lead her with my hand on the small of her back to the table filled with our friends. Aaron, Whitney, David, Olivia, and even Evan and McKinley are here.

  “Please tell me that you were not using my desk.” Olivia grins into her drink. She’s trying to sound horrified, but her smile gives her away.

  “You mean the way we didn’t use his the other night,” David whispers a little too loud, and her face heats.

  I close my eyes and try not to think about my friend and my sister in that… position. It’s been years now that they’ve been dating, but that’s still not something I like to think about. Ewww.

  We spend the next couple of hours laughing and cutting up. Evan and Kinley tell us how Lex is having a hard time with the wedding. She’s excited that Whit is going to be her aunt, but she’s afraid Uncle Aaron won’t have time for her. I look over at Aaron and see determination in his eyes. He loves that little girl. Whit fills us in on wedding planning and Aaron just smiles that goofy, “I’ll give her anything she wants” smile. It wasn’t until I met Jamie and fell hard that I finally understood that look.

  “So what about you two?” Kinley asks Olivia. “Are you and David next?” She grins.

  Liv looks up at David, and he leans in and kisses her. “One day I’ll convince her,” he says, never taking his eyes off my sister.

  Hmm, interesting. I make a mental note to ask Olivia about that later. The girls smile at his response and the guys, including me, smirk. We know he’ll eventually wear her down.

  I hold Jamie a little tighter. I can only hope that we’re able to come to an agreement on what we are, and where we live.

  “Ja
mie, Whit says you’re here until after the wedding,” Kinley says.

  “Yes.” She goes on to give the condensed version of her current job predicament and how she ended up here a week early.

  “We’ll have to have a girls’ day.”

  “You have a spa day scheduled before the wedding,” Aaron says.

  “Yeah, but we very rarely have this much time together. We need to take full advantage,” Whit chimes in.

  “I’ll call you next week and we’ll plan something. Olivia?” Kinley asks.

  “Count me in.” She points at me. “If this slave driver lets me take a day off.”

  I just shake my head and laugh at her antics.

  “I hate to break up the party, but Mom and Dad are at our place with the kids. We really should be going.” Kinley stands and walks around the table to give Jamie a hug. “You’re good for him,” she whispers, but since Jamie is still on my lap with my arms around her, I heard it. I happen to agree with her.

  “We should go too.” David stands.

  We say our goodbyes and I make my way over to Joe, my arm around Jamie.

  “What’s up?” he asks.

  “I’m heading out. You got this?” I ask him.

  “You know it. I know how to reach you if I need you. Besides, last call is in an hour.”

  I nod, thank him and head back to my office to grab my phone so we can get home.

  It’s already Wednesday. I wish I could figure out a way to make time stand still.

  I’ve settled easily into being here with him. Sunday, we had dinner at his parents’ and stayed there most of the evening, swimming and just hanging out. Monday, he was off, so we went hiking again. It’s so peaceful and beautiful. Last night we were at the bar, though we left again before closing at Mike’s insistence that the staff could handle it.

  Now I’m sitting on Mike’s front porch waiting on the girls. He offered for me to host girls’ day, and when I mentioned it to the girls, they jumped at the idea. Apparently Whit and Kinley live close to work, and the guys do too, so unless they get out of their houses, it’s doesn’t feel much like a break.

  Liv was just excited that her brother offered his house. She rambled on about how I’m changing him for the better. Mike and I went out yesterday afternoon before we went to the bar and bought some snacks, though he refused to let me pay. He’s spoiling me, and I hate to admit that a girl could get used to it. Not because he buys me things but because of him. It’s who he is. He wants to take care of me, and it’s a heady feeling.