Page 34 of Hungry Hearts

I like that he has a rags-to-riches story and wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. It adds more layers. Layers he’s pretty good at keeping to himself.

“Short version. I didn’t keep a job for more than a few months. Eventually, I worked in a steakhouse at one of the casinos. It’s where I met Drake and Trey. They’re part of our close circle now.”

“Do you visit them often?”

“Too often. Every freaking day.”

“They’re here in Boston too?”

He hesitates and rubs his chin but doesn’t break eye contact. Finally, he nods. “Drake owns Four Aces. Trey manages The Club, although more from afar now. He buys up property around the city and flips houses and apartments. Nolan is head of security at the casino.”

“Oh, wow.”

That’s an impressive jump from flipping burgers in fast food chains to not only being the head chef and owning one of the finest restaurants in Boston, but to being best friends with the owner of a casino. His friend group is way out of my league.

I’m not even qualified to be in the nosebleed seats of his league. I sag against my chair and lower my gaze to the remnants of my brunch. Pushing my food around with my fork, I avoid his gaze.

“Why does that ‘oh, wow’ sound anything but impressed? Not that I was trying to impress you with that information. It’s not something I share with most people.”

Yet he shared it with me. That should mean something, but I can’t help my insecurities. I’ve refinanced my home twice in six years. The rent for my salon is massive, but the location means we can charge more for our services. My car is a decade old, and I’m still paying off college loans for a degree I never earned.

Yeah. Out. Of. My. League.

“What is it, Maia?” The way my name rolls off his lips is sinful. He reaches across the table and takes the fork out of my hand so he can thread his fingers through mine.

“I don’t think I’m your type.” For more reasons than he knows.

“Are you the type of woman I’ve been wasting my time with over the past too many years? Hell, no. And that’s why I’m sitting in this funky diner on a third date with you. Something I’ve never done with anyone else before.”

I lift my chin. “The diner or the third date?”

“Either.” He lets out a huff. “Ironic that what attracts most women is what frightens you.”

“I’m not frightened...exactly.”

“Tell me what exactly it is then.” He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand.

“I don’t flock in the same social circles as you.”

“Thank fuck for that.” He tugs my hand closer to him and brings my knuckles to his lips. “My circle is my three aces and their significant others.”

“Aces?”

He cups my hand in both his. “Drake came up with the name for the casino and we each inherited an ace. Since he’s the brains behind it all, he’s the ace of diamonds. Nolan is the spade. Trey is the club. I’m the heart.”

“Obviously.”

“For the record, we all came from humble beginnings. They’re all great guys. We’re not money driven, we’re work-driven. Although, now that the three of them have settled, they’re working less and spending more time with their women.”

“Feeling left out, are you?” I tease, but if that’s why I’m here, because he’s lonely now that his friends aren’t spending as much time with him, I need to step back before my heart gets broken.

“Not in the least.” There’s honesty and desire in his eyes, and once again, I find myself squirming in my seat.

My body is drawn to him. The need to taste him, for his hands to be on me, is stronger than it was last week. We’re consenting adults and I want him. Need him.

“Do you want to go for a walk or something?”

Ryder tilts his head to the side, trying to get a read on me, no doubt. The vein in his neck pulses as he swallows. “Let’s go.”

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