by Blake Camden
I hate that.
“How do you…” Emily starts to ask but then quickly realizes the connection. “Oh, okay.”
“Yeah.” Angel gives her a shy smile, confirming her friend’s suspicion.
I can’t help but notice the child is leaning toward Angel. “And who is this little man?”
Angel practically shakes herself back into the conversation. “Oh, sorry. This is my nephew, Oscar. He’s living with me for a while.”
Interesting. Now all her hesitation about working nights and weekends makes a lot more sense. I extend my hand to Oscar, gently shaking his. “It’s nice to meet you, Oscar.”
His grip is firm, as firm it can be for a young boy. “Nice to meet you.”
I glance at the three open seats at the table. “May I join you?”
“Of course.” Emily points to the seat next to Oscar. “My brother is sitting there, but those seats are open.”
“Excellent.” I pull out the chair across from Emily and have a seat, carefully watching Angel’s reaction.
She’s clearly uncomfortable with my presence, but I don’t know if it’s because of the conversation we had when I last saw her or if there’s something between her and the brother that I’m intruding on.
Either way, I can’t exactly walk away now, so I spread my napkin on my lap and try to ignore the surge of energy I suddenly feel in my bones. I don’t know if I want to flee the scene or pull Angel into my arms, but I’m definitely out of it for a few minutes.
“Have you bid on anything, Garrett?” Angel asks, trying to make conversation.
“A few things, but they’re just a few token bids to get the auction started. If I don’t win anything substantial, I’ll show my support through a direct donation. What about you?”
Oscar grins widely and looks up at his aunt, waiting for her to respond.
Angel wraps her arm around his shoulder and pulls him to her side. “Yes, we did, but I explained to Oscar that lots of people are still bidding, so we might not win anything tonight.” She looks down at her nephew. “You understand that, right? There’s only one of each prize and lots of people are placing bids them. So only the last person who bids the highest amount will get it.”
His grin fades, but he nods his head. “Yes. I know we won’t get anything.”
“What did you bid on?” The thought of this child walking out of here without whatever he seems so excited about is heartbreaking.
Angel appears sad that she has to force such disappointment on her nephew, but he’s handling it well. “There’s an overnight stay in the aquarium and a painting party for his entire class. We put bids on both, but I don’t know how it’ll turn out.”
I notice Emily giving a pointed look at Syrus and he subtly nods. I’m guessing he has the same idea in mind that I have. “Well, we’ll just have to wait until the end of the night to find out who the winner is.”
Oscar nods vigorously. “Yeah, but I hope it’s us.”
A man suddenly appears to my right and pulls out the chair beside me before dropping into it, placing a plate full of fruit and treats in front of Oscar. “Jesus, those people are ruthless. I barely got out of there with all my fingers.”
Oscar giggles as he reaches for a chocolate-dipped strawberry. “Thank you, Uncle Eli.”
“Anytime, buddy.” The man ruffles Oscar’s hair before turning toward me. “Hey, man. I’m Eli White.”
“Good to meet you, Eli. I’m Garrett Madison, a friend of Syrus.”
“Oh, cool.” He turns to Syrus and shrugs. “He’s a good guy.”
Emily scoffs. “Oh, come on. You know you have a man crush on my future husband. Just admit it.”
Syrus smiles and shakes his head while Eli mumbles choice words at his sister before Angel kicks him under the table to shut him up.
“Not in front of Oscar, please.”
Oscar chimes in at the mention of his name. “It’s okay, Auntie Angie. I know all those words already.”
Angie just rolls her eyes. “Well, just like how you’re not allowed to say them, you don’t need to hear them.”
The salad course interrupts the conversation, giving us all a welcome respite from the bickering.
As soon as everyone digs into their food, I thumb out a text to Melissa, one of my assistants who is volunteering at the auction table. Who has the winning bids on the aquarium overnight stay and the classroom painting party?
A moment later, Melissa responds. Eli White is hugely in the lead for both. Do you want to bid?
I glance at the man sitting beside me and wonder just what his interest in Angel really is. No, unless someone else outbids him. If so, double their bid. But if Eli stays in the top slot, leave it be.
Eight
Angie
Garrett looks good in a tux. I mean, really good. Like better than any mere mortal should. His hair is cut short with just a few dark locks artfully arranged to fall casually across his forehead. It’s sexy as hell.
And his blue eyes stay trained on me through the entire meal. Well, that’s not true. When he’s not carefully watching me, he’s staring at Eli. Some part of me feels guilty that Garrett obviously thinks Eli and I are here together.
But it’s better this way.
The less Garrett tries to pursue me, the easier it will be for me to resist. Because right at this moment, if he even tilted his head in my direction, beckoning me to follow him into a back room for a quick fuck, I’d be there.
I just wouldn’t be able to stop myself.
Not having Garrett visit me at work lately has been disappointing, but it’s made it easier for me to stay focused on my goals.
And my most important goal is sitting right beside me, trying to avoid the vegetables on his plate.
“Oscar.” I wait for him to look at me before continuing so I know he’s really listening. “I heard the desserts around here are pretty amazing. If you want some, you need to finish those off.”
Oscar glares at me then spears an asparagus stalk with his fork. “Fine. But you have to eat yours too.”
My plate is almost empty, except for a few of the roasted potatoes I was resisting. I’ve been trying to watch my carbs, but I guess that will have to take a backburner for the evening. “Fine.” I stab a potato with my fork and quickly pop it into my mouth. “Mmm, delicious.”
Oscar giggles and finishes the rest of his mixed vegetables just before the plates are taken away and the dessert course is served.
“Should we go check to see if we won yet?” Oscar asks before taking a big bite of cake.
“No, it’ll be more fun if it’s a surprise. Besides, if the bids are too high, I won’t be able to outbid them anyway.” I look Oscar in the eye to make sure he understands what I’m saying.
“I know, Auntie Angie. We have to be reasonable.”
I grin at his choice of words. I’ve had to use them often when it comes to Oscar. I’m afraid he has his mother’s addictive personality. Keeping him from overindulging on the good stuff and obsessing about the bad stuff has been a challenge for us both. “Exactly right, little man. We’ll just wait and see what happens.”
There are a few speeches that seem to drone on and on before a woman in a sequined gown takes the stage to announce the auction winners.
She starts with the lowest dollar items first, working her way up to the really big items. A bottle of Dom Pérignon goes for $375. A painting by an up-and-coming local artist goes for $700. And a beach house weekend in Pescadero goes for $1200.
Disappointment fills me as I lean down and whisper into Oscar’s ear, “I’m sorry, buddy. I don’t think we won either item this time, but I promise we’ll go to the aquarium and we’ll have a painting day.”
Oscar’s shoulders droop and his head quickly follows. “That’s okay, Auntie Angie. Maybe next time.”
My maximum bid for each item was $1000. I was afraid to go over that and win both since I really don’t have $2000 to spare. The money from Fate Advisors is amazing a
nd has paid off all my personal debt, including my car, but in order to cover the land taxes due next month, I need to be smart about how I spend.
Oscar’s head rests against my shoulder, and I can tell he’s fading fast. Syrus invited us to the event as his guests, and it was fun to bring Oscar to such a fancy dinner, but it’s time for us to go.
Besides, without the anticipation of possibly winning the auction items, it’s hard to stay focused on anything except Garrett.
I turn to Emily and nudge her shoulder to get her attention. “We’re going to head out,” I whisper. “It’s past our bedtime.”
Emily smiles as she looks down at Oscar. She loves him as if he were her own blood. “No problem. Syrus’s driver can take you home then come back for us. Syrus needs to talk to a few people before we leave, so we aren’t in a hurry.”
I wave off the suggestion. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll call an Uber.”
“You’re leaving?” Eli leans across the table to jump into our conversation.
“Yeah, it’s getting late, and I need to get Oscar into bed.”
“I’m pretty beat too.” Eli forces a fake yawn, and I try not to smile. “I’ll call a car for us.”
“Are you sure?” Eli already has his phone out, so I don’t bother trying to sway him. I’m sure he’s just as bored as me and Oscar are. They’re like two peas in a pod.
Just as Oscar and I stand up, the emcee announces the classroom painting party. “And the winning bid of $6,000 goes to Eli White.”
I stand there in shock, looking at Eli. “You?”
A shy smile spreads across his face. “Well, the money goes to a good cause.”
I turn to Emily. “Did you know about this?”
She shakes her head, also in shock. “Nope. I thought Syrus was going to bid on it.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s too much money, guys. You shouldn’t have spent that much. We could probably order a party directly for one-fifth of that price.”
“It’s done, Ang,” Eli says just as the overnight at the aquarium is announced.
“And the winning bid of $8,200 goes to Eli White.”
“How do you even have that much money?”
He winks and glances at Syrus. Syrus has hired him for some projects recently, but I had no idea he was paid so well.
I put the conversation on hold as I kiss Emily goodbye and give Syrus a quick hug before circling the table to Garrett.
He stands just as I reach him and pulls me against his chest. “I’m heading out too. I’ll walk with you.”
“Sure.” Oscar is talking Eli’s ear off about the auction items he now knows we won so Garrett and I walk a few steps behind him. “I can’t believe he did that.”
Garrett’s hands are in his pockets. He seems tense and his words are choppy, but he’s trying to hide his emotions behind a terse smile. “I think someone is smitten.”
“Eli? With me?” I shake my head and keep walking. “Maybe a little crush, but he knows there will never be anything between us. We’re like family.”
Eli bends down and scoops Oscar into his arms to point out a model of a dinosaur hanging from the ceiling. “See that? He’s like a big kid.”
Garrett eyes me but doesn’t say anything as we continue toward the main entrance. His warm palm lands on the small of my back and my breath hitches as I look over at him. He keeps his eyes trained straight ahead even while stepping closer to my side. “Would you like me to take you home?”
I swallow and try not to think about the field of heated energy coursing through me because of Garrett’s proximity. I thought I was getting past my attraction to him. I thought the time apart had done me some good and I could accept that friendship isn’t possible…and neither is a business relationship.
I thought I’d decided it’s just not the right time for us. Even though it feels like exactly the right time.
But maybe I was wrong.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
“No, thanks. Eli called an Uber, so we’re riding back with him.” Eli peeks out the front door then turns back and waves at me. When I nod to him, he points to the minivan waiting at the curb. “Oh, I think that’s it. I better run.”
Without thinking, I lean up on my tiptoes and give Garrett a kiss on the cheek before jogging away to catch up with Oscar and Eli.
I don’t know where my mind is, but my strict no-kissing policy doesn’t seem to extend to Garrett Madison. And for the first time, I’m not annoyed by that.
Nine
Garrett
I watch Angel disappear out the glass doors and then climb into the back of a minivan. With a heavy sigh, I turn toward the side door to enter the parking garage. I’m almost there when a tall blonde steps in front of me. Her arms are folded over her swollen belly, and her eyes are like daggers.
“So this is why you don’t want me or our baby?” Tiffany has fake tears streaming down her face. I know they’re fake because she once told me she yanks out a nostril hair when she wants to get out of a speeding ticket. “You’ve already replaced me with some bimbo?”
“No, Tiffany. You’re the only bimbo I know.” I try to go around her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Fuck off, Garrett. You’re playing with fire, and I don’t think you want to get burned.”
I roll my eyes at her dramatics. “Has someone been watching too many action movies lately?” Nudging past her, I walk into the garage and head straight to my car.
“Do you love her?” Surprisingly, there’s a hint of jealousy in Tiffany’s voice. Maybe she does have a sentimental side. Maybe if she thinks I’ve found happiness with someone else, she’ll back off and go find some other schmuck to harass. Looking her right in the eye, I lie. “Yes, I do.”
Tiffany seems devastated for just a second before a mask of anger replaces her normally pretty features. “Wrong answer, Garrett. You said you could never love anyone. Your wolf couldn’t be tamed or whatever that bullshit lie was. That’s why you were always so distant with me. So, what does she have that makes her so special? Why would you love her when you could have had me?”
“You took off with my car, Tiffany. How can I love someone who is constantly stealing from me?”
Her eyes turn hard as she stares me down. “Have your fun with her while you can because it will be over soon enough. You will provide for me and this baby, Garrett Madison. If it’s the last fucking thing you do.” She spins on her heel and stomps back into the building, leaving me alone in the parking lot.
I don’t know if that was a real threat or not, but I have zero fear that she could do anything to harm me.
My businesses are fully protected, and there’s nothing else in my life that truly matters to me.
And that’s the way I like it.
Since seeing Angel at the event a few days ago, my dick has been desperate to get back inside her. I rationalize that we can keep things professional because she needs my business as much as I need her body.
No strings attached.
I tried to get on her schedule yesterday, but she was fully booked. Today at eleven was her first opening, so here I am. When I arrive at her office, I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I don’t have any meetings today, so there was no need to dress up.
“Garrett…” Angel takes a quick breath, checking me out from head to toe with appreciative eyes. She’s never seen me dressed down before. I’ve always been wearing a suit or nothing at all. Her eyes linger on the thin cotton stretched across my chest before meeting my gaze with a soft smile. “Hi.”
“Angel.” I lean forward and kiss her cheek, expecting her to turn away but pleased when she doesn’t. “You look beautiful today.”
“Uh, thanks. Come on in.” We don’t even bother with the counseling charade anymore. She just hits the button to open the bed cabinet as she stands there and stares at me. “How are you doing?”
“Good.” I pull my shirt over my head then step closer to Angel, loving the way her silk blouse feels ag
ainst my skin where her tits press against me. “I’ve missed you,” I whisper into her ear.
Angel shudders in my arms and I swear I hear a whimper before she clears her throat. “What do you have in mind today?”
With my arms wrapped around her waist, I step forward, walking her backward until she hits the mattress and sits down. Her silky dress isn’t fitted, so I drag my fingers up her thighs, slowly bringing the fabric with me until I can peel it over her head. Within seconds, she’s sitting in front of me with only a lacy bra and panties to shield her skin.
Although I know she doesn’t like it, I brush a soft kiss across her lips. My fingers walk down her sides then slip under the fabric of her thong, gently dragging it down her body until it’s off her completely.
She’s still wearing her heels.
They look hot as hell, and I know they’ll feel even better digging into my ass as I pound into her.
I briefly consider my options before dropping to my knees. Her scent is particularly strong today and I wonder if she’s heading into a heat. Inhaling deeply, I close my eyes for a second and appreciate her perfect gift. Angel is fully bare without a single blonde hair to detract from the beauty of her pink folds. Her slit is already glistening as I lean forward and dip my tongue inside, tasting her as she wiggles beneath me.
Angel pulls her knees back, exposing herself even further as I dive in, eating her out like a starving man.
And for Angel, I am.
I could feast on her pussy for hours. But she won’t last that long. And neither will I.
It only takes a few minutes of licking and sucking for her to come in my mouth, her fluids gushing across my lips and chin as she grinds against me, screaming my name.
I’ve never appreciated how my name sounds on a beautiful woman’s lips until I hear Angel say it during an orgasm.
I could get used to this. Maybe I already am.
My cock is drooling when I finally free it from my jeans. I can’t tear my gaze from Angel’s as I hold my shaft against her opening, circling her clit and teasing her before finally sliding deep inside.
