Page 18 of You're All I Need

Giving him a slight nod, I agree, “Dinner.”

Understanding washes over him, as does a slow, wicked smile. He nods too and stands up, turning his attention to the stage. He places his hand on the stool again, his thumb strumming along to the beat of the music. The tapping vibration from the stool goes straight to my clit, and it’s almost difficult to eat my food. I wiggle in my seat, searching for relief, knowing it’ll only come one way.

And that way ends with Caden in my bed.

We’ve been tap dancing around this for too long.

I know it.

He knows it.

“You okay?” Stevie asks, leaning over and whispering over the music.

“Yeah,” I quickly reply between bites. “Why?”

“You’re just all flushed.”

I almost choke on a French fry. When I’ve swallowed it, I wave off her comment. “It’s hot in here. And super busy behind the bar.”

She nods, as if she understands what I’m saying, but the look in her eye calls me on bullshit. Sheknows. I’m certain her eagle eye didn’t miss the way I responded when he casually touched me, or the way I can’t seem to breathe like a normal person when he’s near. But I also know she’s the last person to judge me or the decisions I make. It’s not like we’re looking to get married.

Just have a little fun.

“I knew it would be busy tonight,” Mallory says to me, glancing back to the bar to where her husband is.

“They warned me, but this doesn’t bother me. I’d rather be busy than slow. At least nights like tonight go fast.”

She nods. “Totally understand that.”

“And when you get home, you’ll be ready for a back and foot massage,” BJ chimes in with a husky chuckle.

Unable to control my own reaction and eyes, I turn and look up, meeting Caden’s intense gaze. Something tells me, if all goes as planned, I’ll be exerting more energy rather than relaxing later…

“Or a hot bubble bath,” Madelyn adds, her eyes dancing with delight beneath the low table lighting.

“Please don’t tell me my brother takes soothing bubble baths,” Stevie declares, a look of shock on her face.

Madelyn, looking gorgeous in her pearl necklace and white lace top, just smiles. “Not anymore. There wasn’t much relaxing going on the time we tried it.”

The table erupts into giggles as BJ and Stevie share a grossed-out look.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Jack announces, taking a long sip of his beer.

“Me too,” Leo grumbles, sliding off his stool and kissing his wife Kallie’s cheek. “I’m gonna go check in with the bubble bath taker and see if he needs any help.”

Madelyn blushes a thousand shades of red. “Please don’t call him that or I’ll never hear the end of it,” she begs.

“Are you kidding me? I’m trying to pretend I never heard it.”

“I heard you’re going to work for those two yahoos,” BJ says, swinging her thumb to where Jack sits beside Stevie and Caden stands behind me.

I nod eagerly, recalling the conversation I had with Jack yesterday. They discussed hiring a part-time assistant for the office, and after coming up with a list of duties, ultimately decided to offer me the job. The hours are flexible, allowing me to work for them on the days I’m off here, and the pay is reasonable. And frankly, I’ve always enjoyed the work that comes with it.

“I am. I start Monday,” I confirm between bites.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll do great. And just remember, sometimes you have to be domineering when it comes to guys,” Lyndee states. “You’re the real boss.”

Everyone turns their attention to the quiet baker. “Says the woman married to the perfectionist chef.”

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