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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Skylar

I sigh as I look at the spectacular disaster in front of me.

After Out Of This World Night, Davis now has him planning another themed night. This time it’s a Jimmy Buffett Bash , which is clever, considering where we are, but how do I make Jimmy Buffett-themed drinks? Margaritas? That’s soooooo boring.

So, here’s my third attempt at making a mix between a margarita and a Sex on the Beach. It has all the typical alcohol from both drinks, but it sparkles!

Or at least it should. It’s looking a little more dull and lifeless than I had hoped, and the sparkles kind of make it look like I might have spiked the drink, which, no matter how many times Knox says it, is not true. Just because he and Elton ended up getting freaky after a couple of Blue Nipples does not mean it was my fault. Same with the Bareback and Flip Fucks. These are all grown-ass men, and if they can’t drink responsibly, that’s not on me.

Still, I don’t want my new drink—It’s Sexy Time Somewhere—to be a major turn-off, so I huff and start from scratch. Pouring the drink into the drain, I set the glass down and reach for the tequila. I’m about to try again, and hopefully have something to show for my time when Rhys and Max get here, but something catches my attention.

Davis is shaking hands with someone I vaguely recognize. I don’t know what his name is, but he comes and goes every now and then, mostly just to and from Davis’s office. He pats him on the shoulder, leading him down the stairs and toward the bar.

“Skylar,” Davis says, with no smile on his face, but his voice is pleasant enough. “Can you get Lyle a drink?”

I nod happily. “Sure thing, boss man.” I turn to Lyle as Davis walks away and smile widely. “What will it be?”

He eyes my experiment with interest. “What’s that?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Trust me, you don’t want that.”

“Try me,” he says as he sits. “I like something new every now and then.”

I shrug. If he wants to try it, he can be my guest. I slide the drink over to him, my eyes trained on his expression as he takes a tentative sip. I can tell the second he realizes it’s complete shit, but tries to cover it up by clearing his throat. “That’s great.”

“You’re too nice. I’ll just have to try it again.” I quickly snatch the drink away, fearing he may be too nice of a guy and try it again. “Is there another drink you like?”

“Just water.”

I grab a glass. “So, you and Davis seem to get along. What’s going on there?”

“You’ll be seeing a lot more of me lately.” There’s a wide smile on his face as he runs a hand through his cropped hair. “I just got a job here, actually.”

“Cool! Congratulations!”

“How long have you been working here?” he asks, then takes a small sip.

“Five years,” I reply happily. “Nearing six at the end of this month.”

His eyes lock on mine over the glass, something teasing in them as he smirks. “You’ll have to show me the ropes then.”

He’s definitely being flirtatious. I can smell it a mile away. He seems like a sweet guy—nice and normal—and I think to myself he might be the perfect candidate. But something stops me. If this were a few months ago, I would have already flirted back. Fuck, I’d be the one asking him on a date. But now thinking about it just feels…icky. Something about it is turning me off, and I can’t quite place why.

When I don’t answer, Lyle fills the silence for me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not some creep who just goes around hitting on random strangers.”

He’s chuckling softly and that puts me at ease. “Don’t sweat it. By this time next week, you’ll be part of the family.”

“I like the sound of that,” he mumbles. Standing, he straightens his suit jacket and cocks his head. “I don’t think I caught your name.”

“Skylar.” I extend my hand, which he happily accepts. “Welcome aboard.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you next week when I start then.” He turns, and I don’t even check him out, which shocks the hell out of me.

It’s just then that Cassius comes in, immediately making a beeline for me, and ignoring one of the stage managers who tries to get his attention. When he reaches the bar, he full-on hops over the partition like a gymnast, not giving me enough time to prepare for the way his lips crash into mine. I can hear cat calls behind us, but I don’t pay them any attention. When I’m with my Cassy, everything else just melts away.

His tongue slithers against mine, stroking me softly, almost like a tease for what I know it can do. I blush thinking about this morning when that very body part was buried between my cheeks.

I pull back because I need to breathe, but Cassius just follows me forward, bracing me against the bar as he drops kiss after kiss to my neck. “You left before I woke up.”

“I know,” I say, lulling my head back to give him access to that one spot that makes my toes curl. “You got home so late last night. I didn’t want to bother you.”

He snorts as his hands migrate to my hips, pulling me flush against him, and making me whimper when I feel the hard outline of his cock dig into me. “You never bother me.”

Nodding lazily, I feel myself becoming lost in him. I promised Davis I wouldn’t fuck at work, so I lick my lips and fumble for my next words. “Um, d-did you have fun boxing last n-night?”

“Mmm,” he grunts noncommittally. “We could have had some fun this morning.”

Well, that’s not an answer, but I can’t deny that his topic of conversation is much, much more interesting. I push him away, because I’m two seconds from falling to my knees and whipping him out. It might just be me, but I’m pretty sure that’s a health code violation. “Wait, you rode the bike here?”

He frowns at my sudden dismissal of him. “Yeah.”

“You still won’t give me a ride,” I say with a pout. “Just one ride!”

“You can ride something, alright.”

“Cassius!”

“Cassius.”

Both of us freeze at Butch’s voice. He’s eyeing us both carefully, but there’s a hint of amusement quirking his lips, like he’s trying his hardest not to smile. “What are you two up to?”

“Nothing,” I squeak, pushing Cassius away so roughly he backs up into the rack of vodka. “I was not about to fuck him here. Tell Davis that, okay?”

Butch gives me a confused look, but shrugs. He up-nods Cassius and juts his thumb over his shoulder. “Boss wants to see you.”

Cassius wrinkles his nose. “Why?”

“Something about a new speaker?” Butch shrugs. “I don’t know. Since when do I ask questions?”

“Fair,” Cassius mumbles. He plants one last lingering kiss on my cheek before stepping back. “There’s clothes in the pack on the bike for you to change into after work.”

I cock my head and smile, already feeling the stirrings of a surprise. “Ooo, what for?”

Clicking his tongue, he shakes his head. “No. Just grab it before they open the doors so you can be ready when we’re off.”

“Cassius,” Butch groans, looking far too irritated. “Please, don’t keep him waiting.”

Cassius rolls his eyes and kisses my cheek once more. “Be ready.”

“Okay!” I say, practically hopping in place as he walks away.

I love surprises. And knowing Cassius, he’s planned something extra special for us tonight.

Fuck, I love my life.