Page 19 of You're All I Need

She shrugs and grins. “He’s the boss at work. I’m the boss in the…well, in other ways.”

The group laughs, and I don’t miss the way Madelyn’s face turns beet red. All eyes slowly return to Kinsley on the small stage. Caden takes the opportunity to whisper in my ear, “I’musually the one in charge, but I’m willing to try anything once, sugar.”

Kinsley starts a new song, one of her very first releases, and the entire bar explodes with cheers and sings along, elevating the volume level and ensuring I don’t have the opportunity to reply to his comment. I realize quickly I’ve eaten my entire burger and most of my fries, all while listening to the group of friends sitting at the tables around me and enjoying the music from the stage. They’re laughing, teasing, and sharing parts of their lives with each other, and while I’ve considered a few people friends throughout my life, it’s never quite felt like this. Except for Stevie. She has quickly become family, much like everyone at the table has experienced throughout the years.

What an amazing bond these people share.

Knowing my fifteen minutes are up, I slip from my seat and reach for my empty basket. “I’ll take care of it,” Caden states, taking the small container that once held my food.

“Thanks. I better get back to work.” To the rest of the group, I say, “Thank you for letting me join you for a few minutes.”

“Anytime!” Mallory announces, along with various comments from the rest of the table’s occupants.

“You’re always welcome to join us,” BJ adds with a smile.

My throat is thick, so I give them a single nod. I slip around Caden, catching his woodsy scent once more, and move toward the bar. Realizing I should probably take a second and use the restroom, I hold up a single finger to Walker, indicating I need one more minute. As if understanding, he nods and points up to the second floor. I know exactly what he means. There’s a single restroom upstairs for employees. Most of the time, however, we all just use the larger multi-stall ones in the hallway down here because they’re convenient. Unfortunately,there’s a line due to the volume of patrons tonight, so I don’t mind slipping up the stairs so I don’t have to stand in the line.

The stairs are roped off, and there’s someone standing near the back entrance, making sure no one slips in the door, up the stairs, or down the hall to the employee break room and kitchen. The man nods, realizing I’m authorized to go up, and returns his gaze to the gaggles of women waiting to use the restroom.

The main room that houses Isaac’s office is closed and locked up tight, as is the small storage room beside it. The employee restroom is open, so I quickly slip inside and do my business. Once I’ve washed and dried my hands, I unlock the door and turn off the light. A yelp slips from my throat as a figure moves, stepping forward and pressing me against the door.

“You said this was dinner,” Caden says, caging me in place, but also giving me an opportunity to move if I want to.

Lifting my chin, I meet his blue gaze. “I did.”

His thumb trails from my lips to my neck, stopping just above my cleavage. “Does this mean you’re going to invite me in?”

My breathing comes out in pants, desire swirling through my veins like a raging storm. “It does.”

A sexy, full-watt smile slowly spreads across his kissable lips. “Do you want me to meet you there when you get off work?”

“That’s fine,” I tell him, unable to keep my hands to myself. I press my palms against his hard abs, reveling in the feel of them tensing and jumping at my touch. “It’ll take us a little extra time to close down tonight.”

Leaning forward, he lightly runs his nose against my neck. His warm breath heats my skin, causing goosebumps to rise. “I’m in no rush, sugar. We’ve got all night.”

Knowing my time is up and I really need to get back downstairs, I reach around and pat him on the ass. “Mightwanna take a quick power nap, cowboy. You’re gonna need all the energy you can muster.”

A gravelly chuckle slips from his throat as he straightens to his full height. “Don’t you worry about my stamina. I’ll sleep when I’m dead, Adrienne.” With a wink and a dirty smirk, he moves back enough to allow me to pass and head for the stairs.

Legs are a little leaden as I start the descent, and when I get about halfway down the steps, I glance over my shoulder. My eyes are at the right level, and even if they weren’t, there’s no missing the erection in his pants. My blood starts to hum, my panties slick with need.

As I reach the main floor, security is still standing guard at the back door not too far away, his eyes always moving. I pause and whisper, “You might want to fix your issue, cowboy.”

He glances down and shrugs. “Happens a lot when you’re near.” Leaning in, he places a gentle kiss on my cheek and murmurs, “Have a good night, Adrienne. See you later.” He heads to the men’s room, since there’s no line, and disappears inside.

I shake off the trance I seem to always find myself trapped in when he’s near and return to the bar. Garreth offers me a warm smile as I jump back into the swing of things. All thoughts of Caden are pushed from my mind as Kinsley finishes up her time on the stage and the bar is alive with activity.

By the time Walker announces last call, my feet are sore and my back is tight. I finish serving fruity drinks to a couple of young ladies when I spot Stevie, Jack, and Caden approaching the end of the bar.

“I know you’re busy, but I wanted to say goodbye,” Stevie hollers over the noise as she leans in and reaches for me.

I throw my arms around her and squeeze. “I’m so glad you guys came out. Did you have fun?”

She nods. “It was great to get out for the night and catch up with everyone. I wish we could have gotten to chat more, but I know you’re working,” she says.

“We’ll catch up soon,” I reply, reaching for a few empty beer bottles on the bar and tossing them into the recycling.

Stevie glances behind her to where Caden and Jack are standing, talking. When she turns back around, she gives me a knowing smile. “I want to hear all the details.”

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