“So you won’t be mad if I win it?”
“Not at all,” she said. “Go for it.”
“You’re amazing. I can have someone pick it up this week, but I’ll have you mail the check, if that’s okay.”
“Oh, yes, that’s fine.”
“Do you need the address of where to send it?”
“No, I have it.”
“Perfect. I’ll write you in.”
“ThanksAddison, we’ll see you there.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” I hung up and joined Jake back in the dining room. “Sorry about that. I’m planning a fundraiser and we’re two weeks out, so it’s getting particularly busy.”
“No problem.” He smiled and rose to his feet. “Speaking of busy, I should get back to work.”
“Oh, right.” I tried really hard for that not to sound so desperately sad and failed.I liked him in my space and kind of wanted him to stay there.
“If you think of anything that might help, call me, okay?”
I nodded and walked him to the front door. “Thanks again for lunch. That was really thoughtful.”
“My pleasure, Addison.”
He smiled and walked out my door, and I’m not gonna lie, I closed the door but stared through the peephole at his perfect butt as he walked down the hallto the elevators. Man, it was a nice ass. Firm, squeezable... mmm... yum.
* * *
Jake
After my shift, I decidedto stop by the Brass Frog. It had been a rough couple of days, and I needed to blow off some steam.
“Jake!” Ryder called as I walked up to the bar.
Ryder Carsen was a former member of a notorious motorcycle club, the Gresham Spiders. In fact, so was Reese, and the club was stillpissed about it. Ryder and Reese had their own crew now, although, not an official club, filled with former members, and they owned several properties around the city. Ryder was married to Sadie, who used to be a nun of all things and was now a teacher, and their relationship worked, even if it didn’t on paper.
“Hey, brother,” I said, sitting on an empty stool. “Where’s Sadie?”
“She’s gradingpapers,” he said, setting a beer in front of me. “She told me to get out of her hair for a few hours. Ollie’s hangin’ at the house.”
There it was. Ryder could only be described as protective, so I knew he’d never leave Sadie alone without some kind of protection. Until the threat of retaliation from the Spiders was completely eliminated, Ryder would never drop his guard.
“Hey, Jake,” Reesesaid from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder as he approached.
I gave him a chin lift as I took swig of beer and Reese sat beside me.
“Thanks for taking care of Lex.”
“No problem. Jaxon had already done the hard shit.”
“So you sequestered Addison Allen in a conference room, huh?” Ryder asked with a smirk.
I nearly choked on my beer. “Fuck me, who told youthat?”
Ryder nodded to Reese.“Who do you think?”
