Satisfaction (Taking Chances #2)

by Jeanne McDonald

  Disoriented and a little depressed, I ambled downstairs to the bar. I was done playing for the night and it was time to wash away my sorrows with a few too many drinks. Autumn wouldn’t be ready to leave until morning and I wasn’t about to ruin her fun.

  Instead, I spent my New Year with a bartender named Sue and a bottle of Patrón.

  Happy Freaking New Year!

  I stood at the door, trying hard not to breathe. A large man, dressed in a black suit with a huge scar that veined down his cheek watched me as I rested my hand against the doorjamb. He’d already cleared me as a non-security issue and told me to enter, but I couldn’t bring myself to push the door open. Addison and Jacoby were in the middle of a moment and it wasn’t my place to interrupt. Though, had Nanna seen me, she would’ve tanned my hide for eavesdropping.

  “What the hell am I doing?” Jacoby’s head dipped down, his hands covering his face. “This...this is a mistake.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I’m making a terrible mistake.”

  “Jake, stop this.” Addison tucked a red curl behind her ear. She was the picture of perfection in her fluffy pink dress and floral crown of blue and pink carnations. If her hair had been short, she would have been the spitting image of Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles, which, of course, was what Jacoby and Eddie were going for. “You love Eddie.”

  Jacoby lifted his eyes to his former fiancée. “I do, but how can I be certain this is right? I mean, I broke up with you to be with him. Talk about not being one for browsing.” A low, guttural chuckle bubbled in his throat. Jacoby rubbed his hands over his face.

  Addison wrapped her fingers around Jacoby’s shoulders, giving him a shake. “You and I weren’t right together. We both know that. We’re better off as friends.”

  “He wants to have a baby, Red!” Jacoby bellowed.

  She gently touched his cheek and smiled. “That’s a good thing. You’ll make a wonderful father.”

  “But I always imagined a little girl with your red hair and my goofy grin.”

  Chills formed over my skin watching this tender scene unfold. From what I knew of their past, Addison and Jacoby were childhood best friends, turned lovers, and returned to friends after Jacoby came out of the closet. Talk about an odd couple, yet they managed to make it work.

  Addison let out a soft sigh. Her shoulders slumped and her chin fell to her chest. “Some things aren’t meant to be, Jake.”

  My heart broke for them both. Through the crack of the door, my eyes trained on Addison as she knelt in front of Jacoby. She took his large hands in hers and met his gaze.

  Slumped forward, Jacoby rested his forehead against Addison’s. His dark, unruly hair was an extreme contrast to hers.

  “What if I’m wrong, Red? What if I’m meant to be with you? I still love you.”

  Addison lifted her face and wiped away the tear that streamed down her cheek. “I love you, too, but I’m not in love with you any more than you are with me. I’m with Sebastian, and I love him so much, Jake. He’s what I need, just like Eddie is what you need. Don’t you see that?”

  “I do,” he rasped.

  “Then stop second guessing yourself. Yesterday you were happy to marry Eddie. Nothing’s changed since then. He loves you more than anything in the world, and I know you feel the same about him.”

  As I stood there, watching these two, I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of both Jacoby and Sebastian for having known such a pure love. It had been six months since Indulgence. Today was the first time I’d seen Addison since that night. After our almost tryst, she stopped coming to yoga. I figured after all that happened that night, the idea of bending and stretching in front of me made her uncomfortable.

  “You’re right,” Jacoby admitted. He stood and brought Addison up with him. “I’m being foolish.”

  “That you are.” She laughed and wrapped her arms around Jacoby’s neck.

  “Hey, you,” a deep, gruff voice growled. “You going in there or what?”

  I glanced to the side and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Then get in there. I don’t want to have to kick you out for stalking.” He tried to smile but his scar made him appear frightening. “And don’t think just because you’re on the groom’s list I won’t kick you out.”

  On that note, I nodded and figured now seemed as good of time as any to interrupt. I lifted my fingers and rapped against the doorframe. “Knock, knock,” I called out.

  “It’s open,” came Addison’s voice.

  I pushed the door forward.

  “Brix!” Jacoby resounded. A quirky smile flashed across his lips. “How’s it going, buddy?”

  I stepped inside the room, and closed the door behind me, happy to be clear of the brute on the other side. “It’s going.” I dropped my gaze when it accidentally met Addison’s. Heat burned around my collar. God help me, I was going to make an idiot of myself. I could feel it. “I just thought I’d stop by and wish the happy groom the best on his big day.”

  Jacoby crossed the room in a matter of steps and pulled me into a tight hug. I reciprocated, patting his back. I kept my eyes directed away from Addison, though I could feel her stare boring into me. “Thanks for stopping in. It’s great to see you.”

  “Well, I had to see these tuxedos you’ve been complaining about for the last few weeks,” I teased. “I figured I needed to get my laugh out before the ceremony started.”

  Taking a step back, I gave Jacoby the once over. Sans his jacket, Jacoby was dressed in tapered slacks, patent leather shoes and a black, gray, and white striped necktie that was nearly as wide as his chest. Matched with his floppy hair and his bloodshot eyes, he pretty much was the walking poster child for the 80s.

  I placed my thumb to my ear and pressed my pinkie near my lips. Jacoby narrowed his eyes at me as my lips vibrated with an imitation telephone ring. “Hello? Jacoby? Yeah, he’s here.” I glanced over Jacoby’s shoulder by accident and caught Addison holding back a laugh. At least I made her smile. I extended my hand out to Jacoby. “It’s the 1980s calling. They want their suit back.”

  Jacoby laughed and smacked my hand away. “Fuck you!”

  I rubbed my fingers along my chin. “Where on earth did you find these things? A thrift store?”

  Jacoby trailed his fingers down the clown-sized tie. “Close. A costume shop downtown.”

  “At least he’s not the one forced into pink taffeta.” Addison smiled, seemingly unfazed by my presence. There was a comfort in her stance, as though nothing was different between us, which basically drove me bonkers. I tried my hardest not to imagine her naked body, but no matter how sensitive of a man I claimed to be, I couldn’t help thinking about those perky nipples under that fluffy dress.

  “I think you’d win hands down for the ugliest bridesmaid dress.” I bit my tongue. How rude could I be?

  Jacoby and Addison burst into laughter. “Don’t let Eddie hear you say that. This is his fantasy come true.”

  Ralph Eddington, Jacoby’s fiancé, was obsessed with all things John Hughes. For months Jacoby had come to yoga just to get over the stress of the wedding, especially the wardrobe. I thought he was joking about all the 80s details. Boy was I mistaken.

  “He does realize that pictures last a lifetime, right?”

  Addison threw her arm out toward me in exclamation. “See! That’s exactly what I said.”

  “You know how headstrong Eddie is,” Jacoby argued. “He wanted his perfect Sixteen Candles moment.”

  I couldn’t help it. That sentiment was kind of sweet. “Aww, he’s marrying his Jake Ryan.”

  Apparently what I said was funny, because Addison buckled over in laughter.

  “See!” she exclaimed. “You and Eddie are perfect for each other. Even Brix sees it.”

  “Huh? What?” I rubbed the back of my neck a little embarrassed at being called out. “I didn’t mean to suggest─”

  “No!” Jacoby raised his hand, cutting me off with a smile. “I was having a bit of a meltdown
before you showed up. She’s referring to that. Nothing more.”

  My face flashed hot, fearing they knew I’d been witness to Jacoby’s said meltdown, but no one mentioned it. Instead Jacoby patted me on the back. “Can you excuse me for a second? I need to wash my face.”

  But Jacoby gave me no time to respond. He walked into the adjoining bathroom and left me alone with Addison.

  Sweat trickled down the back of my neck. Awkward silence encapsulated me. I dipped my fingers into my collar, tugging my tie away from my throat.

  “Um,” I mumbled.

  Addison glanced at me from the mirror she was using to adjust the floral arrangement on her head.

  “Are you okay?” Her smooth voice tickled my ears.

  “Yeah. Fine. Maybe I should go.”

  Addison whipped around. The smell of apples filled the air. I breathed in deep, my mind instantly returning to the night I kissed this woman for the first and last time. Her skin was drenched in the scent of apples, to the point I could almost taste them on my tongue.

  She reached out and grabbed my wrist. “Don’t go. Jacoby’s happy you’re here and so am I.”

  My eyes shot up. “You are?”

  “Brix, I know we haven’t spoken since that night, but I’d like to think we’re still friends.”

  Friends. That was a word I was well acquainted with.

  “You know,” I started low, “I’ve missed seeing you at the studio.” I tilted my head to look at Addison. Pink tinted the tips of her dainty ears.

  She rested an open palm on the oak desk beside her, only inches from a Bible. “I thought I might disrupt class.” She let out a huff.

  “How so?”

  It was Addison who now appeared a little embarrassed. That was unusual for me. I didn’t think anyone could turn as red as I did.

  “You see, when I go out, I’m, well…” She blinked a few times and collected herself. “I’m well-guarded.”

  “Yeah, I noticed.” I thumbed toward the door.

  “Exactly. And it seems I have the ability to draw a crowd now.”

  Ah. That explanation seemed valid to me. I never asked Jacoby about Addison’s absence and he never mentioned it. Thinking about it, I should’ve known what her real reasoning for missing class was. The whole world had eyes on the woman who stole Sebastian Hawk’s heart. There wasn’t a day that went by I didn’t see her name splashed on the entertainment news shows, internet, magazines, and even the tabloids. She’d become a household name overnight.

  A loud thump followed by a groan came from the bathroom. Addison pushed off the desk, the frills of her pale pink dress slinking around her as she made a dash toward the door. “Jacoby, you okay in there?”

  “I’m fine!” Jacoby hollered back. “Don’t come in here!”

  “Are you kidding me? I’ve seen you pop a pimple on your ass. Whatever’s going on in there can’t be any worse than that!”

  “I said don’t come in here!”

  I took a step back toward the door, feeling as though my welcome had officially run out. “I think I better leave you two alone to finish whatever it is you need to finish.”

  Addison looked between me and the door to the bathroom. “It was good seeing you, Brix.”

  “It was great seeing you, too.” I turned toward the door, ready to bolt, when my body froze of its own accord. I pivoted to face Addison, whose hand was already on the doorknob to the powder room. “You know, even with your entourage, you’re still welcome to my studio.”

  “Are you sure?” She seemed a little confused. “I really don’t─”

  I lifted my hand. “I’m positive. You said we’re friends; well, friends don’t avoid each other simply because one’s kind of famous.”

  Her eyes lit up and a smile brightened her flushed skin. “Thank you. I’ll hold you to that.”

  I tugged at my collar again. “You better.”

  Addison knocked on the restroom door. She gave me a wink and called out, “Ready or not, here I come!” I chuckled and exited the dressing room, feeling a little better than when I’d arrived. It was strange, but seeing her happy, knowing she got her heart’s desire made letting go of my fantasy with her a little easier.

  “What’ll you have, mate?”

  The chatter and loud music muffled the tone of the bartender’s voice. I eyed the bottles on the shelf behind the man who waited patiently for me to make my request.

  “Tequila. On ice, shaken.”

  The sunshine barkeep nodded, his hair flopping forward in his face. As I waited for my shot, I glanced out toward the crowd of happy people celebrating the union of Jacoby Cross and Ralph (Eddie) Eddington.

  On the dance floor, the two men held each other close in a warm embrace. From their expressions, it was plain to see they were madly in love and all of Jacoby’s doubts were long forgotten. At a table close by, Addison and Sebastian leaned into one another. Their heads were pressed together as they watched the newlyweds share their first dance. Not too far from them, I noticed the brutish man from earlier, standing rigid and stoic. It made me wonder about Addison’s life now that she was with Sebastian. I’d always admired her independence, and having a bodyguard seemed to stifle that side of her.

  “Here ya go,” the bartender called out, gaining my attention.

  I turned around to accept my drink only for a small hand to snake it away.

  “Thanks, sugar.”

  Big black eyes, dark as night, enhanced by flawless eyeliner, cut in my direction as the tiny woman poured my shot down her throat. Something about the way she licked the rim of the glass caused my cock to twitch in my pants.

  “Um...I...uh,” I fumbled for words. Her plump lips pursed, as she placed the empty glass back on the bar.

  “Another?” she asked, almost innocent in her demeanor yet full of seduction.

  I nodded, directing my attention to the bartender who was just as mesmerized by this creature as I. “Two more,” I croaked.

  Blonde sunshine blinked a few times and nodded. “Sure thing.”

  “So,” sweet lips started in, “you here for the groom or the groom?”

  I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing this strange, alluring female. The top of her head barely reached my shoulders. Her jet black hair was cut extremely short, in a sort of boyish haircut with strands of purple blended in. My eyes drifted down her body, drinking in the sight of her supple breasts and the curve of her hips. Bright ink covered her left arm from her shoulder down to her wrist. The colors were vibrant and seemed to flow around a central point on her bicep. It was a tree, where the roots and branches mirrored one another, yet didn’t. The colors of the tree were brilliant, from bright green and yellow, to dark orange and brown. It was almost as if every season was captured within that tree.

  She cleared her throat and my eyes jumped back up to meet hers. “Huh?” I gurgled.

  Her finger pointed out toward the dance floor, but I failed to look. All I could see was the ink on her arm in stark contrast to her two handful sized tits bouncing inside her sheer, sleeveless black dress.

  “Are you here for groom one or groom two?”

  “Who are you?” I blathered. “Dr. Seuss?”

  The girl smirked. “A long, lost cousin.”

  “Well, since I’m unsure as to which is groom one and which is groom two…”

  She waved her hand as if to blow off the thought. “No matter. You’re here. That’s all that counts.”

  “I guess.”

  “Two shots of Patrón.”

  I reached for my shot as fast as I could. No way was I letting this little thing snatch it away again. My nerves were already frayed at the ends.

  She popped her shot back with ease. “So good,” she purred. “Now, sugar. Tell me. Where’s your date?”

  In one gulp, I swallowed my drink, relishing the burn that followed. “No date,” I gasped.

  Originally, Autumn was supposed to attend the wedding with me, but she got called into work. As an ER nurse at Memori
al General, she remained constantly on call. Had she not demanded I go without her, I might’ve bailed after she cancelled. But I learned a long time ago to never buck against her wishes. Besides, I knew she was right. I would’ve regretted not having seen my friend marry his true love.

  “Mhm. Girlfriend?”

  “Nope.”

  “Boyfriend?”

  “Nu-uh.”

  Bombshell rubbed her hands together and clapped. “This is my lucky night.”

  Stunned, I said nothing.

  “What’s your name, sugar?”

  “Brix,” I answered automatically.

  “Brix. What an unusual name.”

  I massaged the back of my neck, and pointed down to my glass. One shot wasn’t enough with this little minx moving ever so close to me. Everything about her screamed sex and my body was reacting to her.

  “It actually means unusual and surprising.”

  Stupid! Why on earth would I tell her that?

  “Interesting. I can see why your mother named you that.”

  Not that my mother actually knew that when she named me. She picked it because of some lead singer in a rock band she loved. Good ol’ sister Mom. Always knew how to stick with the pop culture references.

  Another shot appeared in front of me and I downed it. “What’s your name?”

  Bombshell grinned and shook her head. “Nah. I don’t think I’m going to tell you.”

  I placed my glass back on the bar. “What? That doesn’t seem fair. You know my name.”

  Her slender finger trailed down the length of my arm. “Yes, but I enjoy my anonymity.” She fluttered her eyelashes and grinned. “What do you say we get out of here?”

  I shook my head in disbelief. No one ever came up to me like this, except for at Indulgence. Autumn would disagree, of course. She swore women gave me fuck-me eyes everywhere we went. I didn’t see it. And now, well, deep down I wanted to pinch myself to make sure this was real. “I beg─”

  She placed a finger to my lips. “Oh, I’ll make you beg, sugar, and then I’ll make you come like you’ve never came before.”