Page 7 of Hooked on a Feeling

Judge scrunched his face up like he’d tasted something sour. “A romp in the hay? How are you only two years older than me?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“You already said fucking. Just leave it at that. You don’t want word to get around that you’re fucking a Young.”

John glared at his brother. “I’m not fucking a Young.” Not yet, he wanted to add but didn’t because he shouldn’t.

“Is that your kitten heading out now?” Judge pointed to his window, and John jumped up from his seat, making a beeline to the glass.

It was her. She wasn’t hard to spot when the property was basically a ghost town. In the past, there wouldn’t have been a chance with boats docking and people eating and visiting with friends. “That’s her.” It took John a second to realize how fast he’d jumped out of his seat to stalk her. He shook his head and put his back to the window, ignoring Judge’s I gotcha look. “This is crazy. I have a meeting in twenty minutes with Raven. She has a few things to go over about the yard. Guess there’s a few numbers not adding up.”

“Wow, she must really be stuck if she needs your help.”

John gave him the middle finger. “I’m her oldest, most intelligent brother. Of course she’s going to come to me first.”

“Keep telling yourself that, brother. You say you’re smart but not smart enough to go after the one piece of ass that you actually seem to be enamored with. Tell me, when’s the last time you even went out with someone?”

“I’m busy. I work in my free time. Unlike you who… well, I don’t even think you work when you’re at work, so you don’t count.” John waved his hand in the air. “It was with McKenna, and how long ago was that?”

Judge put his feet down and stood abruptly. “So freaking long ago. We’re going out to the beach and finding you someone. There are at least fifty girls out there”—Judge pointed to the window—“who would be willing to go to bed with you tonight. Let’s go find you one.” Judge shrugged. “Might as well pick me one up, too, while we’re at it.”

John was already shaking his head. “No. No. No. Can’t do it.” John’s mind was already filled with dirty thoughts of Starr. There was no way he could go and find a substitute. Even if he never acted on the initial chemistry with her and potentially never spoke to her again, his libido was in overdrive over her, and it would likely stay that way. At least for another day or two.

Chapter Four

Here it was two days later on a Tuesday, and John still couldn’t stop being a stalker creep staring out his office window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Starr. He’d only seen her once, and that was yesterday morning when she’d unrolled her mat and done yoga on the docks. He would never admit to anyone that he’d watched her entire routine. He would also never admit that he was pretty impressed. Nor the fact that he’d actually gotten wood from watching.

She was strong. She knew what she was doing. She was clearly an expert in yoga. John couldn’t do much more than run a shit ton, and sometimes when Jersey and Judge dragged him to the gym, he managed lifting. But otherwise, running was his thing. So watching Starr bend one way and then another, hold her entire body up with her hands, and balance on one leg while her entire body was in the air was extremely impressive.

“Johnny?” His mother, Rose, stood at his door, holding a box of doughnuts in her hands. “I brought you breakfast.”

John rubbed his hands against each other and stood from his chair. He took the box and set it on his desk and pulled his mom into a big hug. “What brings you into the office on this lovely morning?” His mother’s smell was always so comforting.

“I came to remind you about dinner on Sunday.”

Like a savage, John opened the box and took a bite of one of the doughnuts. He let out a groan as the sugar played over his tongue. “I’ve been coming to family dinner every Sunday for a long time, Ma. I’m not going to forget.” He took another bite and finished the doughnut, reaching for a second one.

Mom smiled. “Well, I know that. But that’s my job. Besides, I can’t risk not reminding one of you and someone using the old ‘I forgot’ excuse.” She winked and glanced around his office. “How is business these days?”

His mother had only worked at Blue after she was done raising her seventh child, and even then, she had stayed at the reception desk and had never delved too much into the inner workings of the company. Not to say she wasn’t familiar with all that was going on—because she was—but now at fifty-five, she wasn’t working at all.

“Business is good. Just landed a new order from New York Water Taxi to build a small fleet of yachts. I have no complaints.” His eyes flashed to the windows. He had one complaint. “When is Dad going to finally retire, Mom?”

She thinned her lips. “Just be patient, Johnny. Your time is coming. Maybe even sooner than you think. It may be nothing, but he told me he has an announcement to make at the next meeting. Don’t get your hopes up, but maybe he’s finally ready.”

Happiness burst across John’s chest, and he let out a whoop of joy. “Yes!” He sobered. “You sure about that?”

His mother laughed. “I’m sure. Anyway, mum’s the word.” She mimed zipping her lips. “I don’t want to be the one that let the cat out of the bag.”

“Gotcha. You hear about the marina?”

“Are you kidding? Judge couldn’t keep his mouth shut about something like that.”

“About what?” John’s little brother Jake popped his head into the room.

John lunged for the box of doughnuts at the same time Jake did and managed to beat him. He held the box away from Jake. “Mom brought these for me.”

“She wouldn’t do that. I’m her favorite son.”

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