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Chapter Three

FRANKIE

A s I greet everyone, all I can think about is how Kaden is staring a hole into me.

I don’t have to glance his way to know it’s happening.

I can feel his stare like a touch. I do my best to shake off our interaction and focus, but that is never easy when it comes to that man.

He has a way of getting under my skin, and I can’t get him out.

I think he was already driving me nutty when I was still a teen, and I’d watch his college football games. The man was a legend in college, and I’m sure he’ll be one in the NFL too. He might have had a shitty fumble once, but don’t we all?

Even back then, when he was kicking my favorite team's ass, he was pissing me off.

Especially because I had this weird crush on him.

He was the boy that made my mind start to wonder about the opposite sex.

Before him, I'd been living blissfully male free.

He ruined it for me. Before I knew it, I was noticing things like thighs, biceps, and washboard abs.

“Ms. Lodato, it's a pleasure to finally put a face to a name.” Mr. Parker holds out his hand for me to take.

“The pleasure is all mine.” I give him a firm shake. I swear I hear a growl coming from the direction of Kaden’s table. I don’t even bother to give him a dirty look. My attention needs to stay focused on my business, not on the drop dead gorgeous man behind me. “Call me Frankie.”

“And call me Jasper.”

Jasper Parker is in his sixties. I know for a fact he used to be a heartbreaker.

I would have only guessed him to be in his fifties if I hadn’t used Google to dig up everything I could about him.

He’s well over six feet but on the lean side.

His black hair is turning gray at the sides. It works well for him.

Back in the day, he ruled the NASCAR world.

It was never a sport I got into. I was born and raised as a city girl.

I have never even owned a car, and if I do end up having to drive, I pray for everyone.

My internet sleuthing informed me that Mr. Parker won over one hundred Cup Series before he retired and started dabbling in building cars himself.

I have no clue what that actually means, but it sounds impressive.

“Are you thinking of having Scotch tonight?” My boss Evan asks as he pulls out one of the chairs to sit down. Turner and Kyle have already taken their seats. Turner is in the finance department at Forged, while Kyle is in legal with me.

They both have been with Forged for almost ten years now. Turner on his own isn’t bad, but he and Kyle together make me often want to bang my head on the wall. Hopefully they both will stay in line tonight with our boss being here, along with Jasper. We all know how big this deal is.

“I was thinking it’s more of a whiskey kind of night,” I say before Jasper can respond.

“I was too.” Jasper gives me a warm smile that has lines creasing around his eyes.

I knew he was thinking whiskey, but again, I did my research.

What can I say? Provide a woman with internet access, and she can discover a wealth of information about you faster than the FBI. Jasper pulls my chair out for me.

I can’t help but turn my head slightly to peek over at Kaden, who is staring not at me but at Jasper. When Kaden starts to stand, a rush of panic fills me. Oh God, what is he about to do?

“Jasper Parker.”

“Kaden.” Jasper turns toward Kaden, still smiling. They shake hands. “It’s been a few years.”

“The White House, I think, was the last time we ran into each other.”

“Right, that was a nightmare of a night.” They both chuckle.

All of us are watching the two of them now.

I see Kyle lean over toward Turner, his eyes wide.

I’m sure they recognize who Kaden is. All of us at the office played in a fantasy football league together.

Football is often a hot topic. Plus, I took them for all of their cash when Kaden fumbled the ball that time. I made out like a bandit.

“I didn’t know you were meeting with Jasper Parker, babe.

” Kaden’s hand comes down on my shoulder.

With his other hand, he grabs the napkin I’d tossed onto the table and quickly drapes it back over my lap.

He does it so quickly I’m not sure anyone notices.

Jasper’s brows lift. “She is always very hush-hush about work. A lawyer thing, I’m sure.

” I’m at a loss for words for the first time in my life.

“You’re dating this lovely woman?”

“I think it’s more than dating at this point.” He winks at me. I’m going to murder him.

“Damn, Kaden Gunner.” Evan stands, offering Kaden his hand. I don’t miss my boss's flinch when Kaden takes it, but he masks it. “I’m Evan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kaden responds.

“Why are you sitting there?” Jasper asks, nodding toward the table Kaden was at.

“I was going to grab some dinner while I waited for my woman so I could drive her back home tonight. Don’t care for her calling for a car, especially at night.” Each word he speaks brings him closer to his death. I’m not sure how exactly I’m going to do it, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

He’s laying it on thick. But it’s kind of ridiculous that he has everyone at the table eating out of his hand and believing this. I mean, come on, Kaden Gunner wouldn’t really sit for hours waiting for a woman. Would he?

“Good man,” Jasper praises him. “Join us.”

“I shouldn’t,” Kaden responds, already grabbing the chair next to mine.

“I insist,” Jasper pushes.

“Yes, please do,” my boss adds.

“All right, don’t twist my arm.” Kaden drops down into the seat beside me, placing his hand on the back of my chair.

“We wouldn't do that. You need that arm.” Jasper takes the seat across from us. He is rather smitten with Kaden.

“Not more than I need my Frankie.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. I grab his thigh under the table and dig my nails in. “Easy, Kitten,” he whispers in my ear. “Save the claws for later.”

If anything needs saving, it’s him.