I’d dropped my voice on that last word, but Harper’s cheeks went pink as she glanced over my shoulder to make sure the others couldn’t hear us.
“No, we’re well-ventilated here, and I always maintain the proper uniform.” She’d smiled a little, and I’d known then that she wasn’t really mad. “Of course, at home, in the privacy of my own kitchen, things might be different.”
“Ah ha.” I’d nodded. “I’ll have to keep that in mind. What’s your favorite thing to do in the kitchen?”
She’d tilted her head, considering. “At home, I enjoy chopping garlic. There’s one particular part of my countertop where I especially enjoy doing that, because it holds some very, um, intense memories. Pleasurable memories.”
I’d had a sudden image of her sitting on that spot in her kitchen, her hands on her boobs, my mouth licking her wet pussy as she screamed out my name over and over. Just like that, I’d gone painfully hard.
“Well, this has been very illuminating.” I’d nodded. “I should let you get back to work.”Before I haul you into a closet somewhere and dry hump you.
“Actually, I’m about to go on a break. I’d be happy to walk you out.” She’d called to the wait staff, telling them she’d be back in thirty minutes. They’d nodded without much interest.
And then we’d spent the next twenty minutes in the backseat of my car, parked down an alley, fucking like teenagers, fast and dirty. Later that night, we’d played a very hot, very erotic game of Diner Visits Chef in Kitchen—Harper’s home version.
“Jake. Earth to Jake. Hey, are you having a stroke or a seizure or something? You just got a weird look on your face, and I think you were starting to drool.”
“No.” I wiped my hand over my chin, and Owen chuckled. “I was thinking of all the shit I have to do this weekend.”
“Really? What’s going on this weekend?” Max had rounded the corner and come into my office, too.Great. Now I was running Grand Central Station here.
“Apparently, lots of shit, because Jake here can’t seem to break away and join me and the boom-boom guys up in Richmond for some partying and fun.” Owen shrugged. “I think he’s got a side piece he isn’t telling us about, Max. He hasn’t hit the bars with me in a long time.”
“Nah.” Max shook his head, and I wanted to kiss him for having my back. Well, maybe notkiss—dude really wasn’t my type at all—but a manly hug, maybe.
“A sidepiece is only if you’re married or engaged,” he went on. “So if Jake had a sidepiece, it would have to mean he also has a secret wife or girlfriend he hasn’t told us about.” He arched his eyebrows at me, and I mentally took back my manly hug of appreciation.
“Fuck off,” I muttered.
“You know, after our engagement party, Samantha kept trying to tell me there was something going between you and her friend, Harper. She swore she’d seen something there, and that the two of you vanished for a while in the middle of the party. I told her there was no way you’d be banging one of my fiancée’s best friends without telling me. And Harper said she was crazy, too.” He paused. “Anything you want to share, Jake?”
My face was burning, but I only shrugged. “Sam wants to see what she wants to see, I guess. I met her, yeah, but—”
“Harper?” Owen had an odd tone in his voice, and suddenly dread swept over me.Shit. He’d met her that first night, and I’d introduced them. It wasn’t like her name was Sue or Mary or Jane. Harper was unusual enough that there wouldn’t be that many running around.
“Yeah, you know Samantha’s friend. Her former roommate.” Max sounded neutral, but I had a feeling he was just waiting to pounce.
“That chick you picked up back at the new bar ... the one who made me take a picture of her license before she left with you? Wasn’t she named Harper?” Owen dug his phone out of his pocket. “I think I still have the photo on my phone. Hold on.”
Fuck. Oh, holy fuck. Harper was going to kill me.I dropped my head to the desk and hoped maybe they’d all just go away.
“I think we have our answer, Owen.” There was no end to the amusement in Max’s voice. “So you met her at a bar? And ... what? You’ve been dating her ever since? Why the hell wouldn’t you tell us?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t keep asking you to go out if I knew you were seeing someone.” Owen grunted. “All you had to do was say the word, bud.”
“We’re not really ... dating,” I hedged, lifting my head to glance at Max. “We just ... we’re casual. We hook up when we can.”
“You’re fuck buddies?” Max’s mouth fell open. “Damn. Samantha’s going to freak out.”
“You don’t have to tell her. As a matter of fact, I would consider it a personal favor from both of you if you didn’t say anything to—well, anyone. It doesn’t matter to me, so much, but it’s Harper’s secret. She’s not comfortable talking about it. This whole arrangement is dependent on me being discreet.”
“Damn, Jake. I don’t keep secrets from Samantha.” Max looked seriously stressed. “I can’t lie to her.”
“Can you avoid bringing it up?” I fiddled with a pen on my desk top. “Bros before ‘hos, man.”
He pointed a finger at me. “Don’t you fucking call my fiancée a ‘ho. But ... if Harper really feels this strongly about it, I can keep my mouth shut, as long as Samantha doesn’t ask me directly.”
“Thanks.” I let out a long sigh. “I appreciate it.”
