Page 100 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

CALEB

K iera moves away, and Nolan turns to me. “Am I getting in your way?”

Yes. No. I don’t know. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

His expression turns amused. “I don’t think I am.” His gaze tracks Kiera. “How long have you been flirting with her?”

I dip my voice in ice. “I flirt with everyone, Nolan.”

He takes a sip of his rum-and-coke. He’s almost done with his drink. Soon, he’s going to raise his hand, and Kiera’s going to come back here, her hips swinging, her lips curled into a ready smile, the pink highlights in her hair glistening under the bar’s lights…

I groan silently. Fuck. I really have it bad for this woman.

Nolan laughs. “I’ve known you for a long time, Caleb. I assure you, I know the difference between casual flirting and genuine interest. Have you asked her out?”

“No.” Damn Nolan and his curiosity. “She works here. She works for tips. If I asked her out, I’d put her in an incredibly awkward situation, and I’m not going to do that.”

“Xavier’s not going to fire her if you ask her out, and she declines.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Or if she accepts. Have you looked her up?”

I run a computer firm specializing in cyber-security. While Nolan does flashy stuff like stopping black-market weapon deals and rescuing women held captive in the slave trade, I stay in the background and provide him the information he needs to get stuff done.

Nolan’s at the forefront of the action. I used to do that once upon a time.

There’s a part of me that still misses the thrill, the adrenaline rush that comes with being in the field.

There’s a part of me that’s envious of Nolan’s relative freedom.

But I have adult responsibilities, ties that anchor me to Myersburg.

I don’t begrudge them. If I were traveling the world, I wouldn’t find time to visit Club M.

Or to play cocktail-games with Kiera.

Nolan can be like a dog with a bone. “No,” I reply shortly. “She’s entitled to her privacy.”

His eyebrows creep up. “You look everyone up,” he says. “You really like this woman. Ask her out, for fuck’s sake.”

“Nolan, you have a vivid imagination.” I change the subject. “What brings you to town? I thought you were in Mexico City.”

“I’m looking for someone.” He glances at the ceiling, at the cameras dotted through the club floor. He drains his drink and gets to his feet. “Let’s chat somewhere more private.”

Kiera’s talking to a couple of guys at the far side of the bar. She’s laughing at something they’re saying. I fight the urge to march over to her and growl possessively. She works for tips, asshole. Let her do her job. Leave her alone.