Series Starter : Firsts in Series Collection

by Kaylee Ryan

  Very slowly, he lifts the hand that reached out to steady mine and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Leaning in, he softly whispers, “Sorry.” His hands then drop to his sides and he takes a step back.

  Neither one of us says a word as I lift the plate toward him. He takes it, allowing his fingers to brush against mine. “Thank you.”

  I nod, then turn back to the stove. I finish slicing the roll, sure the guys will be back for seconds.

  Taking a deep breath, I turn to face them. “Okay, I’ll just be in my office if you need me,” I say and start for the door.

  “Logan,” Kacen calls for me.

  I stop and look over my shoulder. “Are you not going to eat?”

  “No, I had a bagel before I left my apartment.” I turn back around, but before I can take a step, he’s calling my name again.

  “Logan.”

  I again look over my shoulder.

  “You can eat here with us, and you don’t have to rush off to your office. There’s not a lot for you to do right now anyway, besides keeping us fed.” He grins.

  “You got that covered, baby girl.” Cole grins then shoves another bite into his mouth. Kacen elbows him in the ribs. He just grunts and continues to eat like nothing happened.

  “I don’t want to be in the way,” I say.

  “You’re not. Come and sit with us, take a break.” Kacen tilts head to the empty seat on his other side.

  “I’m good, really.” I turn back around.

  “I am the boss, am I not?” I hear him all but growl.

  This brings me to a halt once again. “Yes.” I don’t bother turning around.

  “Then sit. There is nothing pressing that you need to get to.”

  I want to stomp my foot, wrap my arms across my chest, and push out my bottom lip in a pout. However, I can’t. He is my boss, and he has requested, no . . . demanded that I join them. My heart is pounding and my palms are sweaty. I remind myself that this is a normal reaction to a guy who altered my world on its axis. I just have to learn how to control it, to not let him see me sweat. To get over the fact that he probably ruined me for all men.

  He’s my boss.

  Turning to face them, I make my way to the table and take the empty seat next to Gavin. I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t dare look. Instead, I turn to look at Tristan who winks at me. He swallows the gigantic bite he just took and flashes me a grin. “So, Log, what’s for lunch?”

  He sounds so much like a little boy I can’t help but laugh at him. “No plans yet, you have a request?”

  “Nope, just as long as it’s home cooked. So far everything you’ve made us has been delectable, darling.” He pitches his voice.

  We all break out in laughter at his antics, and I relax. The four men who make up Soul Serenade are not at all what I would have expected. They are fun-loving, down-to-earth guys, who live for their love of music. I’m reminded of the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ and all that.

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  Over the next several weeks, this becomes the norm for us. I make them three meals a day and coordinate their schedules with the label. Gavin, Cole, and Tristan have taken on the big brother role when it comes to me. They still flirt, but it seems to only be when Kacen is around. Kacen, he’s just . . . I don’t even know. I had hoped, as my time working for him went on, that I would learn how to control this . . . desire I have for him. The night that we spent together is always in the front of my mind.

  I can’t seem to get past it.

  We both remain professional. There have been a few innocent touches that overheated my senses, but that happens when I am just standing next to him. Sometimes I catch him watching me, and I think he might be thinking about that night too. However, the look doesn’t last long, and I realize that it’s all me. I’m wanting him to be just as affected by me as I am by him. My cell phone alerts me to a message.

  Stacy: Hey! We’re going out tonight. I won’t see you for two weeks.

  I grin. Stacy leaves for vacation with her family for two weeks. They invited me to go along, but I declined. I didn’t want to leave the guys. I know that they are making great progress on the new album and, well . . . I just didn’t want to go.

  Me: Sounds good. What time will you be home?

  Stacy: I’m about ten minutes out. Had to stop for gas. You home?

  Me: Yes.

  Stacy: Awesome! See you in a few.

  I decide to go ahead and jump in the shower and start getting ready. Who knows where we will end up tonight, but I’m excited to spend some time with my girl.

  It took us less time than usual to get ready for a night out. We both rushed through our routine, excited about the night ahead. We’ve both been busy with our new jobs and have not been out since before we came back from Hawaii.

  “We need to eat first,” Stacy says as she instructs the cab driver to drop us off at a local pizza joint.

  I don’t argue the fact. If alcohol is involved, food is a necessity. I’m more of a casual drinker, but something tells me that tonight my bestie and I just might tip the scale on casual drinking.

  “You want to split a pizza?” I ask her.

  “Yeah, sounds good.”

  We place our order and discuss work and her upcoming vacation. We ordered a large and both only ate two pieces. “We should have thought this out a little better.” Stacy laughs. “What a waste.”

  Leaving a tip and the left over pizza, we decide to walk to the bar. It’s a small little hole in the wall in downtown Nashville. The music is always awesome and the crowds guarantee a good time.

  “Selfie.” Stacy throws her arm over my shoulder and holds the other out in front of us while we smile big for the camera. She pulls back and starts tapping buttons so I know she’s loading it to the many social media sites she frequents.

  Just like that, she slides her phone into her pocket and grins at me. “Let’s do this.” She pulls me to the dance floor. We move our bodies to the beat and sing at the top of our lungs. This is our thing. This is what we do. I’ve missed spending time with my bestie.

  Song after song we stay on the dance floor. I throw my hands over my head and rock my hips to the beat. I watch as Stacy mimics me, then her eyes go wide. She’s looking over my shoulder. The next thing I know, I feel two large, strong hands grip my waist. I feel his hot breath against my ear. I smell him, Kacen.

  “What you’re doing should be illegal,” he growls in my ear.

  I don’t stop; instead, I lean against him and continue to sway my hips. His hold is tight as he matches my rhythm. Looking up to get Stacy’s reaction, I see that she’s found some attention as well. Cole is pressed up against her grinding his hips.

  One song leads into another and the four of us dance the night away. Gavin and Tristan join the fun with a couple of girls who have been dancing with us all night.

  My body is wound tight from dancing with him. His calloused hands roaming over my body, his hips and the very noticeable bulge thrusting against me.

  I need a break. I motion to Stacy and point to the restroom. She shakes her head no. Great, I’m on my own. I pull away from Kacen but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he places his hand on the small of my back and tilts his head toward the back of the bar toward the restrooms. He’s going with me, so much for the break.

  “I’ll be right back,” I say. Now that the noise level is bearable, I don’t need to shout. Kacen nods and leans his back against the wall.

  I take my time hoping that he’ll get tired of waiting, even though deep down I know he won’t. He’s not that guy.

  Taking a deep breath, I open the door and there he stands. His hair is messy, and there’s a five o’clock shadow on his face. He’s wearing a tight grey t-shirt that shows off his arms and his ink. I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from propositioning him. He is my boss after all.

  As soon as I reach him, he grabs my hand and pulls me down the hall, in the opposite direction of the dance floor,
where the lighting is practically non-existent. We reach the end of the hall and he stops, turns to face me, and steps forward until my back is against the wall.

  “You’re making this so fucking hard, Logan.”

  His body is pressed tightly against mine. He runs the rough pad of his thumb across my bottom lip. “How am I supposed to resist you like this?”

  He’s been drinking so I’m not sure if this is really him talking. I’ve not been around him when he’s drank this much.

  “I think about that night. Every fucking day I think about what it felt like to be inside you.” He leans down and kisses my neck. “I want you. I know I can’t fucking have you, but I want you.”

  He doesn’t give me time to reply as his mouth crashes against mine. I’m powerless to resist as our tongues duel. His hand traces my thigh as he lifts my leg and wraps it around his waist, holding me there. The other slips under my tank and skims the length of my belly.

  I want him, too, but I know I have to stop this. My head is fuzzy from the alcohol, but I know that we can’t do this. He’s my boss. Freeing my leg from his grasp, I plant both feet firmly on the floor, place my hands on his chest and push.

  He immediately stops and steps back. My eyes follow his hands as he runs his fingers through his hair. He watches me intently with a look of . . . longing in his eyes? Before I can decipher it, he runs his hands over his face and exhales. Dropping his hands, he reaches for mine, laces our fingers together and leads me back to our friends.

  Chapter 18

  Kacen

  The guys and I are killing this new album. We’ve been focused and the results are kickass. Gavin says it’s Logan, that her cooking inspires us. Although I don’t buy into his line of bullshit, I can agree that I like having her here.

  It took us a week or so to find our groove. I can’t say that it’s any easier being around her. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what it felt like to be inside of her. Each day, I follow up the memory with a reminder that she works for me and I can’t touch.

  The fucking struggle is real.

  Last night is a vivid memory. I was ready to fire her if that’s what it took. I know for sure this would not be the first employer/employee relationship to turn into more. I’ve never wanted another woman like I want her. I’m beginning to wonder why I’ve vowed to never touch her again. When I say wonder, what I mean is obsess. I’m a fucking train wreck waiting to happen with this girl. Yet, I continue to keep things as professional as possible. I find myself biting my tongue when I want to tell her how fucking hot she is, or when she’s dancing around in the kitchen, I fight with myself to keep from telling her how fucking adorable she is.

  That’s the thing with Logan. She’s the full package. She can be hot as hell, turning me to granite with just a simple look, and then adorable, causing me to want to pull her into my arms and just . . . snuggle her. Like I said, train wreck waiting to happen.

  I open the shower door and hear my cell phone ringing. I quickly grab a towel and tie it around my waist. Snagging another and running it over my hair, I make my way into the bedroom for my phone. As soon as I have it in my hands, it stops ringing. I watch the screen, waiting for the missed call notification to appear.

  Logan.

  I swipe the screen and immediately call her back. Please don’t let her be calling to quit. I know that I crossed a line last night, but I just . . . I had to kiss her.

  “Kacen, I’m sorry, did you get my message?” she says. I can hear the frustration in her voice.

  “No, I just missed you. I was in the shower. I didn’t bother to listen. I just saw that I missed you and called you back. What’s wrong?”

  She releases a heavy sigh. “My stupid car is making some kind of grinding noise. I’m going to be late. I’m sorry.”

  “Logan, it’s fine. What’s wrong with your car?” That thing is old and I worry about her driving it. Of course, I bite my tongue. As her employer, it’s not my place.

  “No idea. I’m going to call a cab, so I don’t really know how long before I get there.”

  “I can come and get you,” I offer.

  “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t. I offered. Besides, I can take a look at your car while I’m there, and we can get it towed to the shop for repair. In the meantime, you can borrow one of mine until it’s fixed.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but—”

  I cut her off. “Logan, you use your car to run errands for me and the guys all the time. Really, text me your address, and as soon as I get dressed, I’ll be on my way.”

  I hang up, not giving her the chance to argue with me. Within five minutes, I’m dressed and out the door.

  I pull into her apartment complex and spot her car. Luckily, the spot next to her is open, so I pull in and turn off the engine.

  I find her apartment with no trouble and knock on the door. I hear footsteps and then the sound of her turning the locks. “Hi.”

  “Hey, did you even check to see if it was me?” I ask her.

  “Yes, I did.” She points to the peephole. I nod, letting her know I approve.

  “Come on in.” She steps back from the door, allowing me room to get past her. “I made a fresh pot of coffee, since I know you came straight here from your shower.”

  “You’re too good to me,” I tell her. I’m not just blowing smoke up her ass; she truly is amazing. I’m shocked after last night that she’s being this nice. Then again, this is Logan. I’m too much of a chicken shit to bring it up. I don’t want to hear her tell me that it’s never going to happen. I can still taste her. It’s all too soon for that conversation. I hope that it doesn’t come up.

  “Oh, go on,” she teases.

  I take in the little apartment that she shares with her best friend, Stacy, who was Lynn in Hawaii. I chuckle at the thought that we all used our middle names.

  “Here you go.” She hands me a steaming cup of coffee just as there is a knock at the door.

  “Huh, I wonder who that could be?” she says, walking toward the door.

  “Did you forget to cancel the cab?” I ask.

  “No, I hadn’t called yet.”

  I watch her stand on her tiptoes and peer through the peephole. “Shit!” she whispers as her feet relax back against the floor.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Uh, nothing, it’s just Daniel.”

  “Daniel? The ex-douchebag?”

  “That would be the one. Let me get rid of him.”

  She takes a deep breath and opens the door just a crack. “Daniel, what are you doing here?” she asks him.

  “Logan, I’ve missed you. I saw your car and thought maybe you had the day off. I thought we could spend the day together.”

  Not on my watch. I set my cup down on the table and quietly walk toward the door.

  “Not interested in your games, Daniel. It’s over between us.”

  “Logan, come on, you don’t mean that. We were good together. Three years, you’re just going to throw that away?”

  She scoffs. “Me throw it away? Really, Daniel? Do you even hear yourself right now? You fucking strung me along for three years! I lost three years of my life that I WILL NEVER GET BACK!”

  “Come on, now, we can work this out,” he pleads with her.

  I’ve heard enough. I step up behind Logan, aligning my body with hers. I place one hand on her hip and the other on the door, pulling it all the way open. Releasing the door, both hands now reside on her hips, and I pull her into me. She tenses for only a second. Placing my lips against her ear, I whisper, “Follow my lead.” I’m sure to him it looks way more intimate, which is just an advantage for me.

  Pulling away, I drop a kiss on her temple. I want to say it’s all a part of the show I’m about to put on, but that would be a lie. I’ve got her in my arms. She smells incredible and I just can’t help myself. I’ve thought of this more times than I care to admit over the last month. I cracked last night under the pres
sure. I would like to blame it on alcohol consumption, but I can’t. It’s just her. I can’t resist her.

  Acting as though I just remembered douchebag was there, I extend my hand. “Kacen. How do you know my girl?” I ask.

  Confusion crosses his face. “Your girl?” douchebag asks.

  Crossing my arms over her stomach, Logan relaxes against me. “My girl,” I repeat for him.

  “What the hell, Logan?” He gives her a hard look.

  Standing to my full height, with Logan’s tight little body wrapped in my arms, I pin him with a stare. He immediately backs up a step. When I speak, I make sure my tone is menacing and my stare never wavers. “Let’s get something clear right now. You will not speak to her like that. I know who you are, and your history with Logan. I believe my girl has made it clear she’s done with you. I can, however, say that I’m glad you stopped by today. We get to have this nice little chat and set things straight. I also get to meet the jackass who fucked up the best thing to ever happen to him.” I kiss Logan on the temple to calm my nerves. I’m really trying hard to be civil here. “You will leave her alone. No more text messages, no more phone calls, and no more surprise visits.”

  Although he looks like he could piss his pants, he still runs his mouth. “I suppose you think you can stop me from seeing her? She was mine for three years.” He smirks. “I know Logan well enough to know she wasn’t cheating on me, so that means you’ve known her, what, a few weeks at best?”

  “Daniel, just leave, please. I don’t know how many times I need to tell you it’s over before you let it sink in. I’m done.”

  Reluctantly, I release my hold from around her waist, stepping in front of her, bringing me closer to this Daniel character. I step closer and feel Logan move with me. Her hands clench the back of my shirt. “Trust me, I know her. I know every delectable inch of her beautiful body. I know how she tastes, and I know what it feels like to come inside of her. She’s mine. Don’t think I won’t hear about it if you keep harassing her. I have attorneys on retainer who will eat you alive.” I get right in his face. “Try me, motherfucker. See what happens to you when you mess with what’s mine.”