Page 9 of Captivated By Him

“Expansion? Where? Jakub, I can barely keep up with this place now as it is.” She waves a hand through the air. She works her ass off for me. It’s a lot to ask for her to take on even more.

“We’re looking into buying next door. Maybe we can make a second dance floor with VIP rooms upstairs. I’m not sure yet.” I should have grabbed coffee on the way in, but it doesn’t really matter. Right now I could use a stiff drink.

She’s quiet for a moment, then rolls her eyes with a heavy sigh. “Fine. Okay. But I need more help.”

“What sort of help?”

“Well, right now, I need someone that can handle all the private bookings. We’re going to be heading into wedding season soon and the bachelorette parties are going to start pounding down our doors.”

She’s asked for this before, but I didn’t see the need. It’s different now. Right now I need her on board with the expansion.

“Okay. Hire someone. And when we start working on the new project, we’ll hire more staff for over there. Maybe we’ll get a separate manager for that portion of the club.”

The relief in her eyes secures I’m getting what I want. “Yes. That would be amazing.”

“Okay then. It’s done.” I make my way around my desk. “And I want you to take a weekend away from the city next weekend. You and your husband, put it on the company card.” I wave her away and pull out my phone from under the papers she’s put down. More reports to sign and send over to the accountant.

“Thanks. It might be the only way I can get Jeremy out of the house,” she smiles and heads to the door.

I watch her as she walks away. When I first laid eyes on her, my mouth watered at her delectable curves. Now, eight months later, I still see her beauty, but I’ve tempered my desires with the business. But if I were her husband, I wouldn’t need to be dragged anywhere with her. I shake my head after she closes the door.

Marriage only mucks up everything. You go from wanting to sink your cock into your girl every single night to crawling into bed and barely kissing her good night.

No, the single life is better. Find a woman, devour every bit of her, then cut loose before things get too serious. It’s like having dessert for dinner every night the rest of my life.

Dominik may want me to settle down like he did, but I’m not him. He has a family to run, and he’ll still need to have a son in order to be sure the Staszek family is turned over when the time comes. I’m the second son. Dominik gets the responsibility, and I get the fun.

The marriage bug may have bitten him and my little sister, but I’m more than prepared to keep it from getting its gnarly teeth anywhere near me.

I’m never going to marry.

Ever.

Chapter 3

Nicole

Chicago hasn’t changed in all the years I’ve been gone. Garbage still litters the streets, and the smell of old grease mixed with gasoline still floats in the thick humid air.

It’s like I never left.

Part of me wishes I hadn’t. If I had stayed put while my father ran off to New York, things would be drastically different for me right now. I would have a degree in marketing instead of starting my shift working at a damn night club.

It’s no corner office in one of the sky-rises overlooking Lakeshore Drive, but it’s a job. And one I’m lucky to have. Paying the rent in the shoebox I call an apartment for next month was becoming worrisome.

The construction crew is already getting to work when I arrive at Katfish. Bobby, the foreman, waves to me with his toothy grin as I pass by toward the entrance.

“Morning, Nicole.”

I give a faint smile. “Hey, Bobby.”

He’s harmless, but huge. Beneath all his muscle and height, I’m sure there’s a pure heart of gold. He’s never once made a lewd comment or gesture when I’ve walked past his crew, and when a few of his men did, he popped them for being such assholes.

“It’s gonna be hot as hell today,” I say. “I’ll make sure the kitchen sends out some water later.”

“The company provides plenty, but thanks for the offer.”

I nod. “Well, see you later then.”

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