Page 37 of Double or Nothing
Snuggling up closer for one last hug before I go, she says, “I’m warming up to the idea if we can bring the other two guys on board.”
“Do you have a sneaky plan to win their hearts through a home-cooked meal?” I tease. “Because I can think of a few other ways that might be more persuasive than food.”
She playfully slaps my arm, her laughter a beautiful sound. “Who said anything about a home-cooked meal? I said I’d make dinner, which means putting something edible on the table. That’s all I’m promising.”
“Sounds good to me.” I smile down at her, feeling a warmth spreading through me at her words. “I love knowing you’ll be here when I get home. You have no idea how happy it makes me.”
“Me too,” she whispers against my chest.
I kiss the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair before reluctantly heading for the door.
“If the other guys arrive before I do, don’t start without me,” I yell over my shoulder.
“You mean dinner?” she asks.
“Dinner and anything else you’re serving up.”
* * *
It’s wellafter midnight when I return to the ranch. Vulcan’s motorcycle is parked out front in its usual spot, while Seven’s sleek Porsche sits beside it. When I walk into the kitchen, Jade is busy setting the table with plates and silverware. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun, a few stray strands escaping to frame her face.
The scent of Chinese takeout food hangs in the air, a tantalizing mixture of ginger, garlic and soy. I never remember walking into my house to the homey smell of food before.
The sight of the white cartons and paper-wrapped chopsticks lined up on the counter causes a pang of guilt in my stomach. I make a mental note to give her one of my credit cards tomorrow, so she can buy anything she needs from now on. The least we can do is take care of our girl financially. It’s time for her to share in our wealth. The thought of her using the little money she has saved up to buy us food bothers me.
I break the silence with a light-hearted tease, “I see you’ve been slaving in the kitchen all night,” as I approach her from behind. My hands find their way around her waist, and I push her hair back to nuzzle her neck. “Miss me, pretty girl?”
She turns around and draws my face down for a slow, deep kiss, her lips welcoming. “I always miss you when you’re not with me,” she murmurs, her breath warm against my mouth.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Seven watching us intently from the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. Though his presence is a tad unsettling, I’ve already decided not to hold back anything around Jade for fear of ticking off Seven or hurting him. He knows the deal now, and it’s up to him whether he wants to join the program. There’s an undercurrent of tension in the room, but for now, all that matters is the woman in my arms.
“How was work tonight?” I ask Seven, a normal question to bring us back into routine. The same question I’ve asked him a million times before. Seven is always full of amusing tales of mishaps during his illusionist show or crazy things someone in the audience does. I watch him closely, aware of his reluctance to engage. He’s never at a loss for words, but something about tonight feels different.
“Good,” he answers tersely, his voice tight as he avoids my gaze. “Everything went smoothly for a change.”
I raise my eyebrows at him over Jade’s head, but don’t comment. His response tells me he’s clearly uncomfortable with my show of affection and Jade’s return of it to me. His usual spark of humor is absent.
Vulcan chimes in, cutting through the tension with a teasing smirk, while reaching for a water bottle in the refrigerator, “How was your pussy show? Did anyone get bit tonight?”
A laugh escapes me, and I shake my head, trying to keep the mood light. “I’d never let anyone else get close enough to the tigers to get bit,” I reply. “The tigers were cranky. They don’t enjoy putting on a show under bright lights late at night, or anytime. They’d rather be lounging around here in their pool or enclosure. I hate making them work for their keep.”
“Well, maybe you won’t always need to do that,” Jade says, her voice soft and thoughtful as she pulls out of my arms. “There might be another way to make enough money to let them live out their days relaxing here.” She motions for us to gather around. “Let’s eat, guys, and I’ll catch you up on recent developments.”
The guys take their seats while she serves up helpings from the containers onto our plates. “I ordered several vegetarian options for you,” she says to me. “You can pick out what you want.”
“You’re a sweetheart,” I tell her. “Thank you.”
I hate to admit how much I’m enjoying watching her putter around in my kitchen, teasing the guys and laughing at their jokes. After a while, even Seven begins to relax.
“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” Jade begins after we’ve all finished eating, her voice suddenly serious. “Kit has come up with a fantastic plan, and I’d like the two of you to consider it. At least temporarily, if nothing else.”
“What’s the plan?” Seven asks, his piercing gaze swinging my way.
“I want to invite you both to live here, to move in with me and Jade,” I say. “We can’t keep expecting her to shift around every night going to different places to spend the night. Jade needs a place to call home. She’s still living out of a suitcase. The ranch is the safest place for her right now with my security systems, and I’ll add more.”
“Damn,” Vulcan says, shocked. “You want us all to live here together at the ranch like one big, fucking happy family?”
“Yes,” Jade answers, smiling at him. “That’s exactly what I want. One big, happy family with three big, happy guys. Please say yes, or at least consider it.”
