He steps towards me, opening his arms and slipping them firmly around my waist as he pulls me in for a tight hug that hints at much more than just a professional relationship. He smells woodsy and like bourbon, the scent reminding me of our intense night together, causing heat to spread throughout my body and my underwear to immediately betray me.
Ten years later, and my body still reacts to his like a seventeen-year-old girl.
"What are you doing here? And wearing sunglasses?" I ask, trying to step back and put some distance between us.
He chuckles as he moves them to his head and steps closer, clearly not getting the hint.
"Trying to keep a low profile. Though I’m assuming most of your clients don’t care about that."
I nod. "I think they are pretty open about their celebrity status,but you’re a..." I lean forward and whisper, "country music star. In Nashville. It’s not that odd to see them out at restaurants, I’m sure?"
He smiles. "I’m meeting with my manager, Victor, about the 'meeting' we had yesterday and didn’t want to be interrupted."
I wonder what part of our 'meeting' he’s discussing with Victor?
Hopefully not the part where his long, ridged cock was plunging into me while I screamed his name after our third round together. Or maybe the part where he turned me around, pressed my face into the sheets and fucked me from behind while telling me how much he used to love my ass.
My face flushes and it’s as if Cody knows exactly what I’m thinking. His easy smile turning into a wicked grin.
“You know,” his voice drops lower as he leans into my personal space, “you never responded to my text message this morning…”
Yeah, because I knew it wasn’t a good idea. Afterward, I fell asleep, only to awaken this morning asking myself what the hell I was doing acting like a teenager. I slipped out while he was still resting and caught an Uber home. Cody texted later this morning thanking me for a goodnight and I left it on read.
Just then, another man approaches the bar, shakes Cody’s hand then turns to me with a smile on his face.
“Victor. Cody’s manager,” he says, extending a hand in greeting.
"Mae Sterling. I think we spoke briefly on the phone," I reply, shaking his hand firmly.
Victor smiles, a little older than I expected for someone managing Cody’s career, but then again, nothing about Cody has ever followed expectations.
I barely have time to process that thought before I feel the weight of Cody’s stare. My eyes flick back to his, and—yep.He’s undressing me. Right here, in front of his manager, with zero shame.
And damn it, Ilikeit.
I shouldn’t. IknowI shouldn’t. But the way his gaze drinks me in, slow and deliberate, like he’s committing every inch of me to memory—it sends a shiver down my spine.
Not that I blame him. I’d put effort into this. A tight, little black dress that clings to my curves in all the right places, hits high enough on my thigh to tease, and showcases just enough cleavage to be sexy without pushing into trashy territory. Classy. Confident.
It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a date and tonight, I was dressing to impress and attract attention.
"You look… amazing, Mae," Cody breathes, his voice low and rough around the edges. Then he blinks, seeming to remember where we are. “What are you doing here tonight?”
"Um—"
Before I can even get a word out, Axel slides up beside me, his presence immediately solid, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist. He extends his hand toward Cody, his expression cool, unreadable. And just like that, the air around us shifts.
"Axel Delco."
Cody looks down at Axel's hand, then back at me, then back at Axel again until his eyes narrow as they meet mine for a second time.
"Cody Cameron. I’m one of Mae’s clients," he says, shaking Axel's hand. "Are you one of her clients, too?"
"Oh, no. Mae and I are on a date," Axel responds firmly.
Cody’s eyes narrow again, dropping Axel’s hands as he looks back at me briefly. "Oh, really? And how did you two meet?" His voice is way too calm for this conversation and the rage I know he’s likely feeling. This isn't going to end well. I can already see the pissing competition forming between these two alpha males.And speaking over me as if I’m not standing right there between them isn’t only childish, it’s below my standards for men that I’m interested in.
I step out of Axel’s grip and answer before they can continue, "Your friend Dexter introduced us, Cody. You should thank him," I say forcing a smile, then turn on my heel and head to the restroom.
