Page 18 of Indecent Ventures

I see Braden as I walk through the door. He’s much fairer than me, looking every bit the Irish lad he is. We have the same blue eyes, but his hair and skin are a little lighter. He’s around six feet in height, leaving me a few inches taller than him.

It’s crowded tonight, which is expected for a Saturday. Music is playing and the drinks are flowing. I love this place.

I see him already talking to two women. A shorter brunette, who’s a bit hidden by their positioning, and a tall blonde, with curves in all the right places, evident in tight jeans and a midriff-baring top. Her back is to me. If the front matches the back, I’ll be elbowing Braden out of the way.

Braden notices me as I approach. “There he is. My slightly less attractive older brother.”

I grin as I approach, placing my hand on the blonde’s exposed lower back. “He means, significantlymoreattractive.”

When she turns her head, I realize my mistake and immediately pull my hand away. “Jade? What are you doing here?”

She smiles. I can’t believe I never connected the dots that she and Reagan are related. They have the same mischievous smile, and the same shade of expressive, blue eyes. Jade may be a bit taller, but the resemblance is uncanny.

She looks me up and down. “I’m looking for a fairy tale, Collin. You know, a man who doesn’t fuck me in a closet and then disappear two minutes later. Who doesn’t go out of his way to ignore me for four years.” She shakes her head. “I know, I’m so needy, aren’t I?”

Her smile never wavers. Her friend and Braden start laughing hysterically.

Her friend asks, “This isthatguy?”

Jade nods her head, still freaking smiling. “It is. Carter’s bestie. I find myself wondering if Carter knows what happened.”

My face immediately drops. “He doesn’t. And it’s going to stay that way.”

She winks at me. “It will cost you a few rounds of drinks.” She turns to her friend. “Pandora, this is Collin. Collin, this is Pandora.”

I start to open my mouth, but Jade places her fingers over it. “I know you’re about to bust out with some stupid Pandora’s box joke. Save it. We’ve heard them all.”

Braden lets out a laugh. “Damn, Collin, you’ve met your match.”

I give an over-exaggerated fake smile and hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Pandora. Ladies, can I get you drinks? Pandora, perhaps a juice box?”

Pandora rolls her eyes. Jade giggles as she loops her arm through mine. “I’ll go with you. We should catch up,old friend. It’s been a little while. Four years to be exact.”

I should remove her arm, but I don’t. Admittedly, I don’t mind her touch. The past four years have been good to Jade.Verygood. Her body has filled out in all the right places. She’s womanlier now. Confident too. She was gorgeous and bold when I met her, but there’s an added layer of confidence present now that wasn’t as strong then.

I listen enough to know that she graduated from college early and is killing it at Daulton and Lawrence Holdings. She’s obviously very smart.

Before we get to the bar, I turn to her. “Listen, I’m sorry I left so abruptly that night, but when I found out you were only eighteen, and that you’re Reagan’s cousin, I freaked out.”

“I never lied to you about my age.”

“I know. I just assumed you were older based on the way you looked and the fact that you mentioned working with Reagan and Carter. I’m sorry for freaking out. That was wrong. I regret it. You were just so young. Honestly, I felt like a perv.”

She laughs. “I came on to you, Collin.” I see a drop of emotion on her face before she masks it. “It’s not a big deal. I’m used to men bailing. It’s kind of a theme in my life.”

Oh fuck. What does that mean? I run my fingers through my hair and notice her watching. I roll my eyes. “I know, it’s longer. I don’t need you giving me shit too.”

She moves close to me and runs her hands through it. “I like it.” She tugs hard on the back. “If it were this long four years ago, it would have given me something to grab onto that night.” She leans into me, our bodies touching. She scrapes her nails down my neck, giving me chills.

I’ve attempted to erase that night from my mind, but I’d be lying if I said I was successful. The attraction and sex were electric, and I know I would have taken her home for more if the evening didn’t go the way it did.

Her close proximity is turning me on. She smells like a fruity mix. I can’t place the exact kind. It’s intoxicating.

I quickly scan the bar. Every man’s eyes are on her. She’s insanely beautiful, so that’s not a surprise. I wish we didn’t have our history. I’d be very receptive to this aggressive behavior. My cock is receptive, whether I want him to be or not.

I grab both of her wrists and hold them behind her back with one hand. I’ve never been with a woman as tall as her. In her heels, I need only bend my head down slightly for us to be nose to nose.

I run the thumb of my other hand across her bottom lip. “If I remember correctly, your hands were indisposed at the time. There would have been no hair pulling.” I tug her hair. “Except maybe by me.”

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