Devoted Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 7) Page 2

  Erik called a private meeting after hours, off the clock, and away from the office. I brought my assistant, Sarah, along because she manages my schedule and the logistics of my life. I don’t have to look over at her to know she’s ready to cut off this request. I manage one of Texas’ largest boutique law firms—Colin, Baker & Garrett. Erik Garrett is more than a partner in the firm, he’s my friend.

  “Yes, and I believe I’ll get it with you as my campaign manager.”

  The air swooshes from my lungs as the words hang between us. If I ever ran another campaign, it would be too soon. Admitting this, even to myself, summons the spirit of my overbearing father. The thunder of his voice, Cowards, never win, invokes a cold chill through my body.

  “I’m retired.” I remind him.

  "But, you're the best."

  I don’t break eye contact as I search the depths looking for any hesitation. His gaze cuts to the side. That’s not what I want to see.

  "Sarah, give us a moment alone." She stands, gathering her note-taking devices before leaving us alone. I watch out the corner of my eye until the door closes behind her.

  We’re using a small meeting room in Torsion, a formal restaurant I own in downtown Austin. Few people know about my expanding business ventures in the city. This purchase was a matter of convenience. I don’t cook and it’s minutes from the office. Having open access to the kitchen, the staff, and the meeting rooms make maneuvering around my busy schedule possible. I usually dine in for breakfast and dinner and have my lunch delivered to the office. It’s etched into my day to eliminate physical setbacks.

  In my mind, tonight was a pit stop before heading to The Dungeon for a few hours to show my support before going home to review case files. It's Halloween, and the owner, X, is hosting a masquerade ball. X was a manager for this restaurant for years until he left me and took one of my best attorneys with him. Now, I consider them both dear friends.

  I turn my thoughts back to the matter at hand. My mind runs through every client, every commitment, every responsibility.

  I remove the napkin from my lap, trying to devise the best way to decline Erik’s request. I remove my jacket, loosen my tie, and fold over. I silently struggle to take deep breaths to relieve the pressure gathering in my chest.

  Managing political campaigns requires a unique set of skills I possess, but the toll it takes on me physically was near-fatal last campaign season.

  Excuses are for the weak.

  Politics isn’t for those with marshmallows in place of their spines. I sit up facing my best friend—the only constant person in my life since boarding school. So, I’ll do whatever it takes to help him make this happen if…he understands what he’s asking for.

  “Politics, Erik?”

  "You know I've always enjoyed politics. Hell, one day I'd like to run for governor. I see this as the first step to getting my foot in the door." His smile is greasy, slick.

  A lifelong friendship means I know his highs, lows, and the location of his skeletons. He’s able to overcome them all except for one vice, women.

  “Who’s the woman?”

  “Ahhh, man. Ryker, I'm offended."

  “Tell me quick. I have another appointment.”

  “Ryker,” he holds up his hands to gain my attention, “I really want this.”

  "And I'm not an idiot. Who is she?" I lean back, hoping this isn’t another one of his harebrained schemes.

  "Okay, …okay. Her name is—"

  I stand up and toss my napkin on the table. I know this man like I know myself. Yes, he's always aspired to hold a political office, but the last time he mentioned it was in high school, thanks to a redhead named Rebecca.

  "If you're serious, you have my full support. But…" I fold forward, placing my hands on the table, "I want to see genuine initiative. We have enough work to spread out across ten men. The last thing we need is you cooking up another way to get laid and pulling me into it." I turn to leave.

  “Ryker, I’ll prove you wrong.”

  I hear something lingering in his voice, and I glance back. "What's different?"

  “She’s different.”

  "Wrong answer." I shake my head. Very few women are truly different, especially in Erik's world. "If she's still different after six months, now that will be different." I laugh at my own joke glancing at the time. I can't stay out too late. I'm preparing a merger for a client, which means I have a night of reviewing facts and figures ahead of me.

  "I'm not waiting for six months." I stop and turn back. "I invited a few key people to meet with us tomorrow.”

  “Meaning?”

  "People, I think we'll need to fill the staff."

  “I didn’t say yes.”

  “But I know you won’t let me do this on my own.” His tone and posture exude confidence.

  Erik has that “it” quality. He talked professors into better grades, women into his bed. It opens doors. I’m sure this is one more door it will open for him. His quick tongue and my workhorse mentality make for a dynamic duo.

  “You have me curious. Who did you invite?” I return to my chair as he rattles off the names. I pair them with potential roles. “I see Chelsey as fundraising director. Mark as communications director.”

  Erik nods. "What about the networking director?"

  I sit back and think about the people I’ve hired for past campaigns. “I’ll make a few calls. What about events?”

  “Brooke.”

  "Brooke? Brooke, who?" I lean forward against the table.

  “The woman I’m trying to tell you about.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Erik tells me about meeting Brooke at a fundraiser he attended on behalf of the firm. His eyes glaze over, and the silly grin tells me he's beyond the point of reason. This is when I shut up and listen. I remove my tie folding it up and placing it in my pocket.

  My role is to be a supportive friend knowing he'll have me whether things get better or worse because Erik is always in a relationship. I can't recall most of his girlfriends' names. They come, and they go. That's where he and I differ. It only took one time to the alter and the divorce court to teach me a solid lesson.

  No one is worth half of my estate.

  I laugh when he tells a joke about their meeting. I nod when he tells me about meeting her parents. I smile when he tells me how much he loves her.

  “Congratulations.”

  It's nice that one of us isn't so jaded, that one of us is willing to keep trying until he gets it right. That someone is Erik because one time was enough for me.

  Krystal Mathieson-Colin ensured this lesson was etched in my head, my heart, and I tatted it on my body. My ex-wife is worth millions, but it didn't stop her from diving headfirst into my bank account. I was blinded by her elegant exterior and the ghosts of my past.

  My father said Krystal was the type of woman that came with this life. Names, bank accounts, status. He said an official bond between the Mathieson and Colin families was inevitable. But until the ink dried on our divorce papers, it was hell.

  It wasn’t her fault, that was the life she wanted and the life she knew. I blame myself, it was the equivalent of reliving my childhood—surrounded by the people, places, and possessions that made me question my worth.

  Listening to my father proved worse than marrying Krystal. She was spoiled thanks to her parents and being an heir to old money. But by the time she was due to inherit her portion, the estate had dwindled, sending Krystal on the hunt for a new sucker—me.

  She wanted the perks of being Mrs. Ryker Colin without letting her side boyfriends go. It took years to get her claws out of my bank account and my life. I wish I could say I've successfully moved on. Maybe one day, I will.

  “So, now you see why I’m ready to make this shift. Now’s the time. Wouldn’t you agree?" He sits forward in his chair, bringing us closer.

  “You look like a politician.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It’s not a compliment.”<
br />
  "Think about the clients we'll attract. The statewide recognition. This is a win-win for us, Ryker. If…I win."

  “I can’t believe I’m letting you talk me into this.” I rub the back of my neck.

  "You don't have to decide tonight. We'll meet here again tomorrow. And if you're not on board, I'll never speak of it again."

  "Erik, I honestly think you'd lie to your own mother." I laugh, shaking my head. This man thinks he's so smooth.

  “I would if it gets me that seat.”

  “You should never admit something like that.” I stand to leave.

  "See…you're already coaching me." He stands, dropping an arm over my shoulder. "With you, I'll go straight to the governor's mansion.”

  “Stop kissing ass and let me get out of here.”

  Erik laughs, and we head out of the meeting room, passing through the backside of the restaurant to the front breezeway. I see Sarah waiting.

  “What do you two have planned for tonight?” Erik asks in a low whisper.

  “Not what you’re thinking. What time is the meeting tomorrow?”

  "Six works. Maybe you should consider hooking up with her to get that monkey off your back."

  “Hooking up with Sarah?” I slam to a halt.

  "Yeah, you're uptight. You need a beautiful woman to work you out. We need your mind open and ready for the next year."

  "Absolutely not. What we need is for you to find another hobby that doesn't involve me."

  “Oh, I have plenty of those.” He winks as we stop near Sarah.

  I roll my eyes. “Are you heading over to The Dungeon?”

  “No, send my best. I’m heading to Brooke’s place. She wants to prepare a few things for tomorrow. So, I need to run.”

  “Me too.”

  We share a brotherly hug, and he heads to the valet, passing his claim ticket.

  “And Ryker…”

  “Yeah…”

  “Thanks.”

  “I didn’t say yes.”

  “You will.” Erik flashes a smile before slipping into his car.

  I glance down at Sarah. “You have a full day tomorrow.”

  "Move what you need to block out the evening."

  "Yes, sir," she mumbles, standing to gather her belongings again. She's been my assistant for ten years. I made the mistake of crossing the line with her once a few months after my divorce. We kissed, and parts of me still wonder if that's why she sticks around.

  “I thought you’d be gone by now.”

  “I rode over with you unless I need to call an Uber.”

  “I apologize. I got so caught up in Erik’s announcement.” I pass my ticket to the waiting valet calculating the time I need to complete everything on my agenda for the night.

  “I can ride with you to The Dungeon, and you can tell them I need a ride back to the office.” She struggles to hold back a laugh. “That should put you home and reviewing the Goodman files in less than two hours.”

  "Am I that obvious?" I chuckle, guiding her to my car, now waiting at the curb.

  "No, you're a creature of habit." I open the door, and she sits inside.

  I toss my jacket in the backseat, then I sit behind the steering wheel and sigh. What a night. Erik blindsided me. The cars ahead of us move forward, and I follow around the circle drive into the flow of the night traffic.

  “Would you like to review your appointments for tomorrow?”

  “Not yet.”

  Sarah nods. I glance over at her for a brief moment before turning back to the road. The soft sounds of jazz music fill the car.

  I round the final block, and the cars slow to a crawl. We near The Dungeon, and the line is wrapped around the building. The digital clock reads fifteen minutes until ten.

  Park and enter. Roughly thirty minutes.

  Find X and Ryann. A half-hour or so.

  Drop Sarah off and return home. Easily an hour.

  I won’t open a file until at least one in the morning. What a fucking night. I rub at my tight muscles.

  “Do you mind a little fresh air?”

  "Not at all, but I think we're a little overdressed."

  “Don’t worry, we won’t stay long.”

  Her trusty nod follows, and I see a spot open not far from the front door. I glance at the partygoers and Sarah’s right. Most are dressed in black, but the styles of Venetian masks vary from plastic to a few covered in rhinestones.

  I park and jump out of the car. The hip hop music from inside the club flows outside each time the doors open. I open the door for Sarah and guide her forward when I see a familiar face standing near the bouncers.

  “Tia.” She glances up and smiles.

  “Ryker, where’s your mask?” We share a quick hug.

  "In the car, we just left a meeting. Tia, Sarah. Sarah, this is Xavier's twin, Tia.” They shake hands.

  “Guys keep count because we’re nearing capacity,” she says to the men at the door. Then she turns facing me. “Come on. I’ll take you to X because you won’t find him alone.”

  “Great.” I step back and let the ladies walk inside.

  The front area is decorated in black and silver. There's a photographer off to the left with a Halloween-themed backdrop. The guys look basically the same with black shirts and pants. However, the women seem fully ready to embrace the theme with sex appeal.

  Tia stops for a moment to talk with a woman I assume is a staff member. A quick brush across the open area, and I spot the same costume on several women with serving trays. Then I spot men with similar black and gold gothic Venetian opera costumes with matching masks.

  The bass from the music pulses through my body, and it's easy to leave my long day outside. Tia flags us forward, weaving through the crowd. I've never seen so many people in the front, and I mention it to Tia.

  She cups her hand near my ear. “There’s a photo booth over there, an Instagram selfie section over there, and the bar.”

  I nod, following the direction of her finger, looking over the crowd when a spot of pink captures my attention.

  Pink hair. Pink fairy wings. Pink dress exposing a set of long legs.

  I hear Sarah calling my name and turn to catch up when the woman in pink turns my way. I stop. The delicate pink lace forms a mask across her face. Her sparkling eyes flutter and hold mine. She tips a drink in my direction. I look side to side and back at her. Her full lips painted in black lipstick spread in a smile familiar to me sending all the blood in my body straight to my cock.

  That can’t be her?

  I take a step forward, a hand on my forearm stops me. I glance down into Sarah’s eyes.

  "Xavier and Ryann are waiting." Her voice carries over the music. Sarah looks out over the sea of people, but I'm sure she can't see the object of my desire across the room due to her height.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  I calculate the steps it will take to see if she is as beautiful up close as she is from here and whether the fairy in pink is Jordan Cole. It can't be Jordan. But if it is…

  I look down at Sarah, over at X and Ryann waiting then back at the bar. I’ve been unsuccessful at getting Jordan to say more than a sentence to me. So, if it’s her…

  “Ryker, the Goodman files.” Sarah taps the face of her watch.

  "Yeah." I nod. I don't have time to satisfy my curiosity or the quiet hunger Jordan incites. I look out once more before following Sarah, and the fairy's flirty smile twists my stomach in a knot.

  Her back rests against the bar, and I decide to flirt back. I curl a finger in her direction and mouth, Come to me, sexy.

  Chapter 3

  Ryker turns into the crowd and disappears. I exhale, dropping to the bar. This isn't the right time to walk around without panties. The mere sight of that man makes me moist. I fan my face, and the bartender pours me a shot. I toss it back, the burn in my throat matches the ball of flames in my chest.

  I suck at flirting or maybe not. I glance over my shoulder and smile, knowing Ryker ca
lled me sexy. I laugh to myself and ask for one more shot of liquid courage. The problem is, I have to cross the room on these damn heels without falling flat on my face or my ass.

  I spin around, calculating the distance between the bar and the balcony. The walkway of The Dungeon ends at an area that overlooks the lower level. It's where X usually stands to greet their guests. And if I'm lucky, that's where Ryker is.

  Hunter tried to give me a lesson for walking in high heels, she said something about pretending I’m on a runway. Thankfully, Taylor begged me to ignore Hunter and whispered, heel-toe rest, heel-toe rest.

  The rest lets me rock into my hip and gather my bearings before continuing. After seeing I could stay on my feet, she added, Don’t worry about trying to sway your hips, the full skirt will give a sexy appeal if you keep a consistent pace. Heel-toe rest. Heel-toe rest.

  And don’t fall, the guys sang in unison.

  I turn around on the barstool and face the direction I need to go. I roll back my shoulders, and I stand on wobbly legs. I feel the sway of my wings, and I feel like a real fairy.

  Heel-toe rest. Heel-toe rest.

  The guys worked on me for hours. The halter-style bodice fits my trim frame to perfection. The dress flairs at the waist in pink tulle with a little mini skirt beneath for coverage.

  Heel-toe rest. Heel-toe rest.

  I’m amazed that none of my tattoos are visible through the body makeup. I fought to keep my signature black lipstick and septum ring. It was all amicable until Hunter pulled out these clear heels.

  Heel-toe rest. Heel-toe... I won’t reach the balcony until next week at this pace. I take a deep breath and look around me. I flirted once, might as well try again.

  “Excuse me.” I brush the arm of the man standing within reach.

  "What's up, beautiful?"

  I freeze. “I…uh…dance.”

  I flutter my lashes like Charlee suggested to keep from stuttering.

  “I’d love to.” He turns to wrap an arm around me.

  "After me." A muscular arm circles my body, and I look and find Ryker's blue eyes.