Page 3 of Irresistible Temptation

“You know the answer to that, Eloise.” He grabs Mom’s preferred hot tea with honey and a dash of milk and hands it to her.

“You’re the best, hon,” she replies.

“So I’ve been told. Okay, let’s get this show on the road, or our girl is going to be late, and we can’t have that.” Dad grabs the keys off the hook, spinning them around his finger before clasping them in his palm.

“That’s all you’ve packed?” Mom looks down at the carry-on I have packed with a spare uniform, a pair of pajamas, an outfit, my toiletries, and my tablet to play on at the hotel room if one is necessary. They prepare you for all of this during training. It’s better to be packed and ready than to have nothing at all, especially considering the airline I’m working with does international flights.

“Yep, it’s not like I’m going on vacation,” I say with a snort. We’re both notorious over packers, and while I’ve had to pack and repack multiple times, I somehow made it work.

“Well, then, I guess it’s time we get on the road. This reminds me of the last time we dropped you off, only it was for college,” Mom says excitedly, forgetting the fact that I’m thirty-four years old, living at home, all while asking for a ride to work.

“Yeah, a barrel of fun.” I wince saying it under my breath, back turned and wheeling my suitcase through the house. I’d rather my mom stay happy. I’m not exactly excited to make her feel bad when it’s me having a tough go of it.

“Mom, Dad, I really do need to get going.” I check my watch on my wrist, noting the time and worrying my bottom lip with my teeth. This is part of the reason why I didn’t want them to drop me off or pick me up; they’re semi-retired and on their own time. Dad picks up a contract here and there with the Department of Transportation, and Mom works at the local library a few days a week.

“Right, let’s get a move on.” Dad comes up beside me and takes my suitcase out of my hand, dropping the handle and picking it up. We move in separate directions once we clear the door to the garage. Mom goes to the front passenger seat, Dad heads to the trunk with my bag, and I move to the back seat.

I glance at my watch again once I’m settled in my seat and belted in. I’m wondering if this was the right decision, if maybe I wasn’t subconsciously choosing my newfound career for a different reason entirely.

Dad enters the car and goes about getting everything adjusted, which isn’t much seeing as how he only just came home about ten minutes ago from Oak & Brew. The garage door is still open, and with a push of the button, the SUV comes to life. A sports commentator blares through the speaker.

“Frank, turn it down. I swear I’ll be deaf before too long when we’re in the car together.” Mom isn’t wrong. There’s a slight ringing in my ears. He turns it down, and I tune everything out.

My thoughts drift to a man. Specifically, a man who gave me a night that still plays like a reel in my head every time I go to bed. There’s something to be said about a memorable man who delivered more orgasms in one night than Chad the chode ever gave me in the handful of years we were together. Obviously, that’s because he was giving his all to his secretary, or maybe she wasn’t getting off, either. Whatever the case, it’s not my problem anymore, at least with my ex-boyfriend/conniving asshole. I guess you could say I still harbor a lot of anger and hostility when it comes to the Millers and everyone who is part of their family. Other than that, there is no love lost. In all honesty, being away from him and thinking about Tysen, the man whose touches I can still feel along my skin, makes me well aware of that fact. My nipples pebble, the muscles in my thighs tighten, and I’m back in the hotel room again.

Tysen’s hands in my hair, his firm hold on my hips, my legs wrapped around his waist, and him watching as he glides in and out of me. He didn’t have to say much; the demands were all in the way he held his body and us moving together like two people who had been with each other for years. If only he’d called me, which he didn’t, and he hasn’t, proving the point further. One night with a pilot was all about our mutual satisfaction, nothing more and nothing less. Now, it’s time to put everything in the past and work toward the future. And I’m doing that today.

2

TYSEN

“Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly,” I say, sitting in a chair with two fingers of scotch with a splash of water in the cut crystal Johnny likes to keep on hand. All of us are here at the club tonight, a rarity since we’re all coming and going. A few have families now or like Asher, who has one on the way with Lennie. Kennedy and Trent are trying, wanting to give Briar a sibling without there being even more of an age gap. Then there’s Johnny and Winnie; they’ve got Sebastian, her nephew, except he’s been formally adopted, and the way there are with one another, none of us were surprised when they made the announcement about her pregnancy.

“All is good on this home front. Both clubs are doing well, memberships are up, problems are down for the time being,” Johnny says. He’s got a drink sitting to his left and is scrolling back and forth on the security feeds. There’s a reason why everyone flocks to Undercover Lovers and Night Moves—the place is pristine, you don’t have to worry about someone slipping something in your drink, and the atmosphere is a fucking vibe.

“Jagged Edge has a couple of jobs that we’re behind on. Got more work than we have manpower. I’m going to open up the website for applications, might see about bringing on another general contractor. I’d like to be able to look at the bids coming in and pick up more but can’t do that as it stands right now.” Jagger is the majority owner of the construction business. He runs the day-to-day operations, and whenever we can help out, we do. The others have done more than I’ve been able to with starting my new business venture.

“Put it in the works,” Asher grunts, tacking on, “We’re all only getting busier. Not fair to put the bulk of the load on you when shit gets busy.” I nod in agreement and take a sip of my drink. The burn from the alcohol hits the back of my throat, causing me to clench my teeth.

“Good idea. The way this group is going, I’ll stay busy at the clinic with all the babies you’re in the process of making.” Luke, the doctor in our group, announces. He’s standing near the window, hands in pockets, and says this over his shoulder. Luke must have gotten off work and hit the club before going home if his scrubs are anything to go on.

“Only trying to keep you in business,” Trent says from his seat in a club chair across from Johnny’s desk.

“Well, if we’re done talking about Luke looking at women’s vaginas, I’ve got an idea to run past everyone,” Jude chimes in.

“Jesus, man. Warn someone, will you,” Crew says, trying not to choke on his drink.

“Good one, man,” Jagger says to Jude; they pump knuckles. Sometimes, they’re so alike it’s scary; other times, they’re polar opposites.

“Alright, get back to your idea. It’s late. I’ve got cases to look over and a hot meal in my future that doesn’t consist of diner food.” Matthew moves the conversation back to Jude. Except the fuck just dropped a bomb of his own.

“Care to elaborate?” I ask.

“Yeah, who’s the woman cooking for you, and does she want a real man to slide in your place?” Jagger states.

“Fuck, you did it now, man,” Trent replies.

“Jesus Cristo, finish your conversation, then we’ll get back to whatever Jude wanted to discuss, and maybe we can all go home some time tonight,” Johnny says through laughter of his own. He drops his head, shoulders shaking, and the added effect is when Trent and Asher join in.

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