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Inside, it is breathtaking. The polished bar is massive, wrapping around where the rounded booths used to be. It matches the rich wood floors that are as yet unscuffed by shoes. Some walls have exposed brick, like the mill. Others are papered in a rich brocade pattern with shimmery strands woven in. They sparkle and reflect the lighting when the strobes flash. New seating set twelve feet in front of the bar so that anyone ordering drinks can see the show includes booths with low backs and smaller tables. And the dancing isn’t just on stage anymore. There’s ample space to move about in front of the stage the way you’d expect to do at any concert.
Kelsey scuttles toward the far end of the bar, greeting me as she goes. I wave, offering a cheery hello back. Jake is by the stage with Julian, speaking to someone I haven’t met yet.
Jake is as different as he is the same, and he’s worked so hard to reopen Sweet Caroline’s. I don’t want to interrupt anything important, so I try to bypass him. But our eyes meet and he reaches a hand out for me. The pull to his side is magnetic. I grin like a fool when he beckons me over for an introduction with the main act’s lead vocalist.
“I’ll only be a minute,Corazón.Can you heat up the shower for me?” He requests when I excuse myself to go get ready, kissing the crown of my head.
The years of old flyers papering the wall in Jake’s office are gone. Along with the mirrors behind them. The walls are rich and warm, smelling of fresh paint. The furniture we picked out together once the drywall was up is blemishless. Even the adjoining private restroom had a complete makeover.
I duck in and unzip my garment bag. I pull out a pair of high heels and slip them on in place of the flats I stick to at the shop. Then I turn the gleaming shower faucet on to steam the room, letting the dress I’ve chosen for the night breathe to rid it of any latent wrinkles.
The door to the office opens and snicks shut.
“I would have been quicker.” Jake apologizes. “I brought us a drink.”
I hear a single glass thunk on a flat surface.
“You didn’t get one for yourself?” I kid from around the corner.
I look at my reflection, plumping my breasts in the lace bralette I’m wearing. I adjust the straps and pucker my lips.
Yup, that’ll do.
Jake is moving around outside the bathroom. He flings the shirt he was wearing onto a chair.
“Is everything all set?” I ask, turning off the shower and closing the door to trap the heat.
“As set as it’s going to get. Fuck me if I ever open another location. This was a hell of a lot more work than I expected.”
“I’d be glad to.” I want to say, but I go with, “Wait and see. It’ll be worth it.”
The headliner is well known. A coup for a new venue. Tickets sold out almost before they went on sale. Jake expects the club will be at capacity before showtime. I have the utmost confidence in him and that the band will bring down the house tonight.
“How was your day?” He asks me this every single day with genuine interest.
“Actually, I wanted to show you what the boutique got in.” I lean against the door frame crossing one leg over the other.
Jake has his back to me. He’s working his belt undone. “We gotta make it fast. Cris and Daveigh will be here soon.” He turns, lets his pants fall, and bites his fist as I saunter toward him. “I thought you’d be dressed already.”
His fingertips slide over the high-cut fabric covering my hip, up my side, then under the lace of my bralette.
While I err on the side of modesty at work, one of the things I realized after Jake knew about my scar was that any little bit of me that’s covered drives him wild. A short skirt and a top with a high neckline and he’s got his hand skimming my panties. Long sleeve t-shirt with cold shoulders and his lips are on my bare skin. Backless dress? He’s reaching inside and cupping my tits.
I agonized over what the former dancers were showing when what revved Jake’s engine was the opposite.
“Those are cute.” His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows.
My eyes are drawn to his broad shoulders. Unable to resist touching him, I graze my hands over his pecs.
We sleep at one another’s houses but still haven’t had sex. However, a girl’s restraint can only take her so far before it snaps… Or he acts like a gentleman, not wanting to push her into things he thinks she’s not ready for, and she’s the one who gets underhanded.
I’ve concocted a plan to seduce my sexy-as-sin-not-so-rebound-guy on the biggest night of his life.
“Aren’t they adorable panties, though? Know what I like best about them?” I stroll over to the couch, turning my back to Jake as I rest my knees on the cushions.
“It’s a thong.”
“Mmm hmm,” I hum. “I’m not sure. Do you think they’ll sell?”
