Page 15

Chapter Fifteen

FRANKIE

T here are only so many times I can go over this contract at this point. I know I’m using it to keep myself busy. I went ahead and sent it over to Kyle and Turner. This is supposed to be a team thing, but they bounced out of here two hours ago.

I overheard them talking about going to play golf or some boring shit. I, of course, wasn’t invited. It’s not that I even remotely wanted to go; it’s the fact that they didn’t even give me the option.

The boys won’t invite you to their club if you’re better at their job than them. It's not that they're incompetent, but if they can drag ass, they will. They don’t have anything to prove, and I’m starting to wonder if I do. Both of them know I'll get this done and wrapped up in a bow.

There’s nothing more that I want than to send it straight to my boss Evan, but that will get twisted and used against me if I do. They would claim that I hadn't given them a chance to participate. They love to play the victim when it’s convenient for them.

They both have been radio silent to me about this contract since the dinner. In fact, the only email I received was from Turner asking me if my fiancé could get tickets at a discounted price to football games.

I grimace as my email receives a reply from Kyle. All it says is that it looks good, but I know he didn't read shit. It’s been thirty seconds since I sent it, and the contract is over fifty pages. I close my laptop, packing up for the day.

When I step off the elevator, Kaden is standing there, leaning up against the wall, one foot crossed over the other. The second his eyes land on me, a smile spreads across his handsome face.

A face that had been between my thighs last night. The man is way too handsome for his own good and my self-control.

"You're here," I blurt out. It's rude, but I suppose I keep thinking he might be tired of my shit. I'm me, and I even get tired of my own shit. It shouldn't surprise me that he showed up. He said he was going to, and he hasn’t gone back on his word since we started whatever this is between us. I’m guessing that’s not the only reason he showed up either.

Probably thought I was going to try to dip out on him.

“Where else would I be?” He pushes off the wall, heading straight toward me. I stand there as he drops a kiss on my lips as if it’s the most natural thing in the whole world. “I missed you.” Kaden takes my hand. I don’t miss the security guards at the front desk who are watching all of this.

The news of my engagement to Kaden quickly spread throughout the building. I swear a couple of the men I worked with gave me a few glances. I'm sure they were wondering why Kaden Gunner was engaged to me. I ignored it all.

"I might have missed you." There was no might about it. I have missed him, and it irks me.

"Good, because I have plans for us."

"Are you calling it plans? Because if you say date, I might run."

Kaden smirks, letting me know I'm right. "You can try and run," he says playfully, but I see a glint in his eyes, as if daring me so that he can chase. It sends desire firing through my veins.

"Not in these heels." Kaden holds the passenger door open for me. I slip inside. "What do you have planned for us?" I ask when he takes off from the curb.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Surprises aren’t really my thing.” Well, they never have been before Kaden, but I can’t help the little spark of excitement that flutters in my belly.

“I wanted to take my woman out.”

“So you planned a date. Just for me?”

“I did.”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

“Are you a curious kitten?”

I snort a laugh. That’s really sexy, Frankie .

I am curious. I haven’t been on a ton of dates.

Hell, only a couple, if I can recall, and they might not have been full dates but more friends hanging out.

Who knows? They have always been sporty dates to the batting cages or go-karts.

Which isn’t the worst thing. Sure, it can be fun, but men put me in this box of the tomboy.

I know I don’t help with that, but it does burn.

"Fine, I'll be surprised."

"That's the hope." He reaches over and places his hand on my thigh.

I'm more curious when he pulls up to the Bloomem Court at The Plaza. This place is super fancy. There is luxury shopping on the first three floors. The fourth and fifth floors house a spa, while the top floor features The Gilded Teapot.

"Not sure if I'm dressed for this place." Here, I wanted to be taken somewhere different, and now I'm complaining about it.

"That's part of it." He squeezes my thigh. "Stay put, Kitten." Kaden hops out of the vehicle, jogging around to open the door for me. I take his hand. He pulls me into him, dropping another kiss on me.

"Mr. Gunner." Kaden steps back, tucking me into his side. An older woman in a breathtaking Chanel tweed quilted suit greets us. Yes, I can spot designers. Luna is, after all, my best friend, and maybe I enjoy the pretty suits that are a touch more feminine than what I wear every day.

"Mrs. Metzer?" he asks, tossing the keys to the valet as he passes.

"That's me. Is this her?" The woman swings her attention to me.

"Hi." I try to give a little wave, but the woman rushes me, kissing both of my cheeks.

"A redhead." The woman beams at me. "Redheads are my favorite." She winks at me. "Don't tell anyone that, but there are so many colors that just simply work best for you."

"Okay," I say, not sure how else to respond. "I'm sorry, can I have a moment with my fiancé?"

"Of course!" The woman steps back. I grab the front of Kaden’s button-up shirt and yank him back a few steps.

“Did you bring me here for a makeover?” I glare up at him.

“If I’m giving you a makeover, Kitten, it would only be me stripping you naked and wiping off that powder you put on your face that covers up your freckles.” I find myself melting into Kaden.

“Then, why are we here?”

“I thought we could get you something to wear. The Gilded Teapot has a weird-ass dress code. I don’t quite understand, but Ms. Metzer here told me she’s got it covered.”

I swallow. “We’re going to The Gilded Teapot?” I search his face.

“We are.” A slow, sexy smile spreads across his face.

There is no way this is really happening. This is the nicest gesture anyone has ever done for me. Who would have thought that Kaden Gunner would be the one extending it to me?

I was little when my grandma passed away, but she’d left me a set of teacups and pots. We always pretended to have tea. It's one of my favorite childhood memories.

It turned into a hobby, I suppose. I collect teacups and pots, but that’s my secret.

Kaden tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. His hand drops to rest on the column of my neck. "You don't have to hide from me." Kaden's thumb brushes back and forth over my pulse. "When you're with me, I take care of you."

"I—"

"I know you can take care of yourself. That's not the point. I need to take care of you."

"Need?"

"As crazy as it sounds, yeah, I need to."

"Well, ah." I lick my lips. "If you need to, who am I to stop you?"

"That's my girl."

I really do want to be his girl…. and I hate that as strong as I present myself to the world, I can't bring myself to tell him that.