She tended to agree with him. The way he always had a handful of it whenever he could, was proof of that.
“Since you’re the boss of this here establishment, how about we play hooky and spend the day comparing who likes whose ass better?”
She held up a finger just before she spoke. “First, that sounds weird. Second, this is my first day and you’ve already put up the sign telling everyone I’m here for their business. I can’t make people think I’m unreliable from the start.”
He leaned down, placing gentle kisses on her mouth, trailing down to the sensitive bit of skin at the curve of her neck.
“Please,” he begged. “I promise it won’t take long.”
She moaned, partly from how good his lips felt against her skin. Hot blood rushing to the site he was paying such loving attention to.
“No, the last time you said it wouldn’t take long, I almost missed my office furniture delivery.”
He nibbled on the area a little longer before raising his head. His eyes shone with playful desire, tempting her to say, “To hell with it,” and shut down for the day.
She was about to say as much when the chime over the front door rang.
“Saved by the bell,” she said with a chuckle as she stepped out of his embrace.
“Literally,” he responded.
“Excuse me.” Vanessa shook her head at Janae’s distinct and confident voice. “I thought this was a reputable place of business.”
Cree stepped through the door behind her, the delight at catching them hugged up written all over the knowing look on her face. “Looks like the only business going on ’round here is funny business. Maybe we should leave you two alone so you can pick up where you left off.”
“That’s a perfect idea,” Michael replied. “We’d see you out, but we’re busy.”
Vanessa laughed, sidestepping his attempts to pull her back into his arms.
“Pay him no attention. What do you two need?”
Janae waved a dismissive hand at Michael before turning to Vanessa. “Nothing, we just wanted to wish you good luck before you got swamped with work.”
Vanessa opened her arms wide, bringing them in for one of their joint hugs. “Aww, the two of you are so sweet. What would I do without you?”
“Me,” Michael mumbled. “You’d do me.”
Vanessa laughed because she knew he was only half joking.
“We love you, girl. Of course we’d be here.” Janae’s proclamation warmed her heart, reaffirming she’d made the right choice in coming back to Monroe Hills to start her life over.
“Well, since it seems we’re leaving you in good hands”—Cree looked over her shoulder to glance at Michael—“we’ll let you get to it. Whateveritis.”
They turned toward the door when Janae stopped abruptly. The door opened slowly, revealing a familiar tall man with a butterscotch complexion and locs hanging free around his broad shoulders.
Adam’s distinctive good looks meant it was hard to not notice how fine he was. If Vanessa wasn’t already sprung over Michael, she might ogle him the way Janae seemed to be doing.
Vanessa watched the two carefully as they seemed to instantly lock on to one another’s presence, forgetting the rest of the people in the room.
“Adam.” Michael interrupted whatever was going on between their mutual besties, pulling Adam’s attention away from Janae. “What’cha need, man?”
“Morning, everyone.” Adam may have included the rest of them in that greeting, though it was obvious the only person he truly noticed in that room was Janae.
“You need something?” Michael asked again, and Adam blinked, finally bringing his attention to Michael.
“Oh, I just picked up those two tickets for the reunion you asked me to get when I was near the school?”
Michael went to pull out his wallet to reimburse his friend. Adam shrugged him off. “Don’t insult me like that. You’re my boy, we look out for each other.”
