Page 176 of Second Sets Omnibus

Ah, Callum, the cricket on my shoulder whispering logic into my ear. Always full of reason and concern, guiding me on the right path. But not today. I don’t need the right path this Saturday evening. No. I need River, a thorough discussion of forgiveness, and her pussy in my mouth. Yeah, everything in that order, too.

“Sorry, bro,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “There’s nothing stopping me from marching in there and winning herback one flower at a time.” Callum’s face drops in defeat, and his eyes roll toward the star-filled sky with a loud, long-drawn-out groan.

“Christ,” Callum curses, knowing he’s lost this battle with me. “If you piss her off, it’s all on you. Then you can tell the other two why she’s making our lives a living hell.” He gives me a pointed look, leaning against his bike with interest. He can pretend all day long that he doesn’t want me to do this, but I can see it in his eyes. Excitement sparks there for the first time in years.

“You don’t want to join?” I wiggle my brows, earning a scoff in return.

“She’ll bury us alive. Better you than me,” he grumbles, pulling his phone from his pocket.

“I’ll be back soon,” I say with a confident grin. I straighten out my shirt, double-checking the tulips in my hands and counting all twelve of the pink and white blossoms beaming under the streetlamp above. “Please, let this work,” I softly beg, staring at the bright orbs twinkling in the darkened sky above me. It’s all I have right now.

Something deep festers inside me, guiding me through the ornate doors of the restaurant with the name Cherry Blossom hovering above the entrance in golden letters. The intense need to sit beside River and soak her presence in has me bursting into the eatery like a bat out of hell.

I heave a breath, glimpsing the intricate decorations adorning the walls. The light atmosphere envelops me in a hug, pushing away the urgency I had waltzing in. Soft music filled with harps and violins floats through the air.

“Sir.” I raise a brow, turning to stare at the man beside me with his nose in the air. Wrinkles drag down his cheeks and forehead as he scowls, raking his gaze over my attire, and he scoffs. “You do not meet our dress code. I’m going to have to askyou to leave,” he says, pointing toward the door with a haughty attitude I don’t quite like.

“Nah, that’s okay,” I say with a grin, digging into my pockets. “I can’t leave yet, bro. I have a girl to win back. You see her over there?” I ask, pointing toward the back of the crowded space where she sits with Mr. Handsy, snacking on delicious-looking sushi. When he should want to snack on my delicious Pretty Girl, looking like a full damn meal in her dress.

God damn. Up close and personal, she looks hotter than from across the street. Back in Central City, my girl would never be caught dead in a tight-fitting dress. Not to mention the makeup. But I guess she has that privilege now that she works for her brothers and has created this entire empire. My Pretty Girl sure has made something phenomenal out of herself, and I couldn’t be more damn proud of her. I’ll show her in the upcoming weeks that I’m all into this repair and refresh service she’s offering. And other things if she wants.

“A tragedy,” he mutters under his breath, following my finger. “But you’re still not appropriately dressed. Our attire requires suit jackets and closed-toe shoes.”

I huff, digging into my back pocket and pulling out my wallet. “I’ll pay you five-hundred bucks to turn the other cheek,” I say, waving the green under his greedy little nose. Instantly he perks up, watching the money like a pocket watch in front of his face. Yes, doorman, get hypnotized by the green in front of your face. Let me in! I want to beg and plead, but I know in this town money talks.

He peers around at the rest of the crowd, snatching the money from my fingers. “Then, Welcome, Mister…”

“Ashton Radcliffe the Third, my guy,” I say, patting his shoulder with an eager clap. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m on a mission to get my girl back.” I saunter away without a backward glance, darting toward the quaint little table located in the back.The further I walk through the tables and booths, the dimmer the lights become, and I squint until I get to my destination.

My fingers turn white around the stems of the bouquet when the fucker my girl is with raises his gaze to mine. A cocky smile pulls at his lips when we lock stares, and I’m eager to punch the sureness from his damn body—over and over. He hasn’t faced the mighty Rad rage yet, but he’s about to meet the bull if he doesn’t stop touching my girl. With more confidence than I feel, I wink at him, nodding in greeting.

“I believe you’re in my seat,” I say, pointing in his direction.

Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome has the audacity to laugh at me, waving a hand to the unoccupied chair next to River. Even better. I don’t need to sit across from her and play footsie; I need to be beside her, luring her in with my manly musk.

Shit. Discreetly, I sniff myself and recoil. If I had more time to get ready for this stalking adventure, I would have prepared a little better. Earlier, I pounded the drums to beat my damn frustrations away. And unfortunately, it shows with the stench coming from beneath my armpits. No wonder Mr. Doorman didn’t want to let me in. I’m ripe as hell.

“Take a seat,” he says in a smooth voice full of generosity.

“No! What the fuck!” River hisses at the same time, glaring in the direction of her date. Ha. If he’s not careful, I really am going to win her over and steal her away from him. But only after she stabs him in the dick to assert her dominance.

“For you, Pretty Girl,” I beam, presenting her with the vibrant tulips, even bowing a little to prove to my queen that she’s important.

“Wow! What a gentleman,” the man says, folding his hands under his chin with stars in his eyes, watching closely as I take a seat. “So, you must be one of the exes I’ve heard so many wonderful things about.”

“Rocco, I swear to God,” River mumbles, taking the flowers with a tight smile and setting them beside her on the table.

“Well, I suppose that’s me. Just depends on what you’ve heard about me. Charming, irresistible…”

“Annoying,” River gripes, slapping her palm across my lips. “What exactly are you doing here, Rad?” She raises a brow when I grin beneath her hand, basking in the feel of her flesh against mine. “This is a private dinner. No one invited you.” Her glare intensifies tenfold, lighting me from the inside out. Holy hell. I forgot how damn sexy her glares were. I’m going to—fuck, too late.Not now, Little Rad, I grumble to myself.

“Fascinating. I’m Rocco, by the way. It’s wonderful to meet you.” Reaching across the table, we clasp hands and shake in greeting. Rocco’s dark, devilish eyes twinkle in the low light with mischief when we separate, and he places his chin in his hand.

“Ashton Radcliffe,” I say through the gag over my mouth, grinning wildly when River huffs and pulls her hand away, wiping it on a napkin to remove my spit. “Great to meet you too. So, are you two…” Holding out the last word, I point between the two of them. A stark ray of hope flashes inside me when Rocco chuckles, turning a shade of red.

“Will you excuse us?” River asks sharply, jumping to her feet.

“By all means,” I say with a cocky grin, sitting back and expecting him to take the hint and leave the table.