As she set his coffee on the desk, one of the guys said, “Dakota, introduce us to your lady friend.” She moved out of the picture.
Dakota laughed. “Mylady friend? Who the hell talks like that?” The guys cracked up.
“Maverick, that’s who,” one of the other men said.
“Come back, darlin’,” the first guy boomed. “Say hello to us.”
Dakota’s light-hearted laugh touched the deepest part of her. Whoever these men were, he was comfortable enough to be his true self.
“Providence, come meet my idiot friends.”
She pulled up a chair alongside him. One by one, he introduced her. “Colton Mitus, Crockett Wilde, Jagger Loving, Maverick Hott, and that handsome devil is my brother, Sinclair Develin. This is mylady friend, Providence Reynolds.”
She loved meeting his friends, loved hearing their good-natured ribbing as they expressed their condolences that she was spending the day with him.
“Dakota, bring her to Jagger’s wedding,” Maverick said.
Colton laughed. “Can someone mute him?”
Again, the guys cracked up.
“Seriously, if you can put up with that crazy one—because that’s what he is—you’re welcome to come,” Jagger said.
“Thanks,” Providence replied. “Good meeting you guys.” She stepped away from the screen and stood by the window, appreciating the breathtaking landscape.
“Okay, so did everyone have their fun?” Dakota asked. Providence could hear the smile in his voice and she peered over at him. She loved seeing that happy expression on his handsome face. “Can we get back to work so I can get the hell out of here?”
“Who’s the developer?” Sin asked.
“Zander King,” Dakota replied.
“Maverick and I are checking out the location in a couple of weeks,” Crockett said. “We’re bringing Alexandra and Carly.”
“I reserved rooms for all of us,” Maverick said. “Let me know if you guys can make it.”
“I’ll check with Brigit,” Colton said.
“I’ll run it by Evangeline, but we’ll probably go,” Sin added. “Jagger, I’ll video chat with you when I’m there so you can see the land.”
“Thanks, bro,” Jagger said.
“Dakota, can you make it?” Colton asked.
“I’ve got too much going on right now,” Dakota said. “I’m dropping off. I’ve gotta touch base with Zander.”
He ended the call. Seconds later, he stood beside her as she stared out the window. To her surprise, he stroked her back, then he left his hand on the small of her back.
Her skin tingled, everywhere. The need to kiss him so powerful, her body went from warm to scalding. She ached to run her fingers through his hair or jump into his arms. She became aware of his breathing, and then, her own. It was as if they were both trying to keep things under control, but the tea kettle was screaming for someone to take it off the hot stove.
She wanted him so badly, it hurt. This partnership was never going to work if she couldn’t reel in her need.
“Thanks for putting up with my friends,” he said, breaking the silence.
“You guys seem close.”
“We are,” he said as he wrapped his long fingers around the back of her neck, inside her collar, and gently massaged.
His rhythmic caress had her closing her eyes and relaxing into his touch.
