Kara
I’m kind of excited I was invited to Monday night dinner at Logan and Sky’s house tonight, even though I think it was only because of what’s going on with me and Noah. Shane says it’s because I’m Katie’s sister and part of the family. I think it’s sweet of them to include me no matter what their reason. I could really use my friends right now to help me get past Noah. I know it should be easy considering how he’s treated me and how mad I am, but it’s still hard. Shane told me at the end of my shift on Saturday that Logan and Sky were expecting to see me at dinner, and seeing how I have nothing else to do on a Monday night, I’m happy to be going.
Before I can do that I have to hit the gym. I stretch in bed and then jump up to throw on a pair of leggings and a tank top. Running to the kitchen, I find my father having coffee. “Good morning, Daddy.”
“Good morning, baby girl. Off to the gym?” He sits at the table staring at the newspaper in front of him, and sips his coffee.
“Yeah, and then I’m going for dinner tonight with Shane and Katie.” I grab an apple with some peanut butter. I sit with my dad to eat.
“How’s the new job?” He continues to stare at the newspaper.
“It’s fine. I’m making good money and I’m having fun. The people Logan hire are good people.” He nods his head. He was really upset when he found out I was going to school to be a bartender. He wanted me to be ‘bigger’ than that. I roll my eyes, thinking back. I think it’s finally starting to grow on him now that he sees my bank account growing. He doesn’t believe me, but my goal is to be on my own by the end of the year. I’m even thinking about trying to find a job during the day to keep me busy and help make some extra money. I feel like it’s only going to encourage him to tell me that a bartender isn’t a good enough job when really it is. I make decent money and I don’t even have the prime shifts every week.
When I’ve finished my apple, I rinse my plate and stick it in the dishwasher. My dad still hasn’t looked up from his paper. I kiss him on the head. “Have a good day, Daddy.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “You too.” Poor guy sounds defeated. I think he’s given up on trying to convince me on my career choice.
When I get to the gym there’s a sign on the door that says they’re hiring, and it makes me smile because I love the gym, and I’ve been a member here for a few years now, and I know a lot of the staff. I scan my key chain across the scanner. “Hey, Kara.” Jake waves as I walk by.
“Hi Jake. Hey, do you know what the position is they’re hiring for?”
“There are a couple. One is to man the desk and walk the floor, and the other is a trainer. Why? Are you interested?”
“Yes, I’m looking for something to do a few days a week outside the club, and since I love being here…” I shrug my shoulders. “Why not?”
“Colton is here…let me see if he has time to chat with you. I’m sure he’d be thrilled you’re looking to work here.”
“Sure.” I stand by the front desk while he runs off in search of Colton, Jake works here, but Colton manages the place. He’s been the manager here for as long as I’ve been a member. He can’t be too bad a guy to work for…I hardly ever see signs that they’re hiring.
“Hey, Kara.” Colton comes over with his hand out. I take it and give him a firm, confident handshake. “Jake tells me you’re looking for a day job.” He shows me his perfect, bright smile.
“Yeah, I’m trying to get my ass out of my parents’ place, and while I make good money at the club, this would be a perfect day job to give me a little added bank.” I look up at his brown eyes. Colton is a tall, lean guy. He’s handsome, but not Slade handsome. Wow! Where did that come from? Up until now I compared guys to Noah the asshat.
“When can you start?”
I need to focus. I shrug my shoulders. “When do you want me start?”
“Come to my office. Let’s do your paperwork and discuss your schedule.”
“Cool.” I follow as he leads me to his office.
“Which position did you want? I think you qualify for either, and the trainer position gives you a bit more flexibility with your schedule. Plus you’ll make more money.”
“Do you think people will be bothered by a female trainer?” He opens the door to his office and points to the chair across from his desk.
“Not at all. As a matter of fact, most of our clients are women anyway, and a lot of them are more comfortable talking to woman.” I nod my head. “Don’t get me wrong, there are women who like to work out with a guy, because if they think he’s hot, they’ll work harder to impress him, but most times that’s not the case. They get intimidated by us.”
“Okay. I’ll take the trainer position. I think it’ll be fun to help people get in shape and be healthy.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I think that’s a way better position for you. Can you come in tomorrow for some training?” He pulls some papers from his file cabinet and puts them all into a folder for me.
“Yeah, I’d love to. Ideally, I would like to work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I work the club on Thursday, Friday, and most Saturdays. That gives me some balance and time to rest between working late nights and days.”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll build you into the schedule and you can start taking clients in two weeks.” I have a huge smile on my face. I’m really excited to start this. “Take these home with you. Fill them out and then bring them back tomorrow. You’ll get paid hourly while you’re training and scheduled as a salesperson. Once you start building a client base, you’ll get paid by the client. It’s our incentive to get you out there and talk to people. You’ll make a lot more training than you will selling.”
“Sounds great to me.” I take the folder from his hands. “I’m going to go work out. Can I leave this at the desk and grab it on my way out?”
“Sure, just leave it with Jake.”
“Thanks for this opportunity, Colton. I’m really excited.” I put my hand out, he takes it and we shake one more time before I run out of his office. I’m glad I don’t have a tight schedule today, because I wasn’t expecting to get interviewed on the spot. I leave my folder with Jake, who welcomes me to the team, and then head to the elliptical. I jump on, pressing my earbuds into my ears, setting the resistance to six, and go at it full speed for thirty minutes. When I get off I’m soaked in sweat, but make my way over to the machines for my leg workout. If I don’t do at least fifty squats, my ass will turn to flab, and I need to get my ass in gear because I want to fill out this paperwork before Katie and Logan pick me up to go to Logan’s.
***
Slade
I pull up to Logan’s house in my red Dodge Challenger for the weekly meet up and there are a ton of cars already here. Cole is coming too, but I don’t see his black SUV yet. I slip out of my pride and joy, clicking the remote to lock it. I got her when I got home from my last tour overseas. I spent a pretty penny on it and I love driving it. When I knock on the door, Sky answers with Stephan at her feet. She hugs me and I step inside over Stephan, who seems to be having some sort of tantrum.
“Slade.” Shane puts his hand out to shake mine and then pull me in. Logan follows behind him, and then Katie kisses me on the cheek. That’s when I spot her. Kara is sitting at the table looking all lonely, but damn, is she fine.
She struts on over in some tight jeans and a sweater top that barely covers her belly. She gives me an awkward hug and goes back to her seat. Sky and Katie join her as Logan pulls some beers from the fridge. “Thanks.” I take the bottle of Heineken that’s been offered to me. We clink bottles and drink our beer while we wait for Stone and everyone else to get here. The guys are all talking around me, but I’m only half listening because my ears perk up when I hear Sky ask Kara what happened between her and Noah. Kara goes into the details of her break up, and I’m starting to think my night just got even better.
“I don’t even think I’m sad anymore.” Kara takes a sip of her Reds. “I’m mad at myself for not doing it sooner. He made me feel like a fool.”
“Don’t be like that. He swept you off your feet at a time when you were most vulnerable. You had just been attacked, and in that light, he looked like a knight in shining armor.” Sky rubs her arm. I take another pull from my beer. I think it’s time I become her real knight in shining armor.
“Hey, Earth to fucking Slade.”
“Oh, my bad.” The guys start laughing. I’m fucked because he probably asked me something more than once and I was so focused on Kara I never heard it.
“Did you talk to Zane?” Logan punches my arm.
“Yeah, I spoke to him. He has some connections. He’s going to scope things out. Oh, he wanted me to tell you that he has your back, and whenever you need me and Cole, we’re yours.”
“Good, I think I have a plan.” Logan looks over us to see the girls deep in conversation still. My brows shoot up at his grin.
“Do tell?” Shane leans in closer so Logan can lower his voice.
“I want to send you guys in undercover. Our friends aren’t safe until we figure out what the hell this guy has going on and we get him off the streets.”
“Isn’t that Cooper’s job?”
“Yeah, well, he doesn’t have enough to go on to put anyone on the inside. If we can manage to see something, maybe we can get him in.” Logan takes a pull from his beer and our conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door. Our friends are all here now, and just as Logan is handing out drinks, the oven timer beeps, and Sky announces that dinner is ready.
A few minutes later we all make our way into the dining room and I happen to end up sitting next to Kara. Sky has made veggie lasagna, chicken, and broccoli Alfredo, with salad and garlic bread.
“How’s the club?” I ask her, trying to make light conversation.
“It’s good. I’m really excited about my new job though,” she announces.
Shane looks nervous. “Am I losing you?”
“Nah, I love the club. I’m going to be a trainer at my gym. They hired me today. I’m going to train Monday through Wednesday during the day, and work for you the rest of the time.”
“Nice, that’s what I used to do.”
“Really? I never knew that.” Kara piles salad onto her plate with a small helping of veggie lasagna.
“Well, shortly after I started seeing Katie, I was offered full time by Logan, and didn’t have the time to do both anymore. It’s a cool gig. I think you’ll be good at it.”
“Thanks, Shane.” Kara smiles. Her mood is starting to shift and it’s nice to see.
“You like to work out?” I bring the conversation back to us.
“I love it.” She pats her mouth with her napkin and then puts it on her lap. “You must work out.” She gives me a grin and squeezes the muscle in my arm.
I laugh. “Yeah, I’m at the gym every day. No one wants a security guard who’s weak and can’t fight.”
She giggles. “I guess you’re right.” We continue our conversation while everyone else talks in groups around the table. Stephan and Laney are in high chairs next to each other, attempting to feed themselves, but are really just making a mess. It makes me realize that I’m getting up there in age, and I’d like to have kids someday. I’m wondering if I ever will or if my age will be an issue for Kara, because I’m definitely asking her out the first chance I get.
The girls get up to start clearing the table. I grab my plate and some of the other stuff and carry it into the kitchen, where the girls are all busy putting leftovers away and rinsing plates. “Oh thank you, Slade,” Sky gushes, because I’m the only guy helping.
“No problem.” I want Kara to know I’m not afraid to help out. As a matter of fact, I keep a very tidy place. I can’t stand things messy. When I get back into the dining room, the guys are back to discussing the plan for us to go undercover. I take my seat. The plan involves myself, Cole, Jonah, and Shane. Shane and Jonah weren’t at the club when Benny and his buddy were thrown out, so they wouldn’t be recognized no matter who’s there. We were there, but not involved in throwing them out, so we should be good. Kara comes back into the room and leans over the table right next to me, giving me a clear view of her stomach. I can see her bellybutton piercing dangling, and when she turns to leave, her ass is practically in my face. Fuck, I want to bite it, and the thought causes my dick to twitch under the table.
I turn my attention back to the guys. “Hey, can you use the head on your shoulders for five more minutes?”
“Fuck you, guys. You’re all hooked up. She comes in here shaking that ass and you want me to behave.” They all start to laugh, but the conversation quickly goes back to our plan.
“I need to get some things lined up before you guys hit the club, since both my head bouncer and my manager are going to be out of the club at the same time.” Logan brings us back on point.
“Okay, so when are we doing this?” Shane puts down his empty beer bottle.
“Not this weekend, but the following. Do it on a Saturday night.”
“Sounds good to me.” I look around and everyone nods their agreement.
Kara comes back into the room. “Shane, how late are you guys staying?”
“Why? You in a rush to go home?”
She shrugs her shoulders and I take advantage of the opportunity. “I can take you home if you want.”
“You don’t have to.” She turns shy, blushing slightly as she looks to the floor.
“I know I don’t have to, but I don’t mind.” I turn to Logan. “Are we done?”
“Yeah, for now.” Logan gives me a shit-eating grin.
I’ll kick his ass later. I turn back to Kara. “Are you ready?”
“Sure.” She gives me a small, shy grin.
We make our rounds to say goodbye to everyone. I thank Sky for having me over and I walk Kara to my car. Her eyes go wide when she sees it. “Is that a Challenger?”
I chuckle. “Yes, it is. I love that you know your cars.”
I pull the handle on her door for her to slip in and close it behind her. When I get into the driver’s seat, I turn to her with a smile. “Do you really want to go home?”
A smile spreads across her face. “What do you have in mind?”
“Want to go for a ride?”
“Why not?” She bites her lip and I’m glad she’s getting a bit braver.
I start the car and pull away. I take Kara for a ride through the city, and then jump on the freeway, where I can open the car up and show off a little. I have the radio playing as I drive through some winding roads. I look over to see pure joy on her face. I’m driving with some speed, hoping I don’t get pulled over. The sun is setting, so I take her to a cliff where I used to go and hang out when I was younger and had more time. When we pull up, I jump out of the car and run to her side to open her door. Taking her hand, I help her from the car and we both lean on the hood in silence, watching the sunset.
She looks over to me. “This is beautiful.”
I look over to her and our eyes connect. “I love the view from up here.” I’m not sure she catches that I’m referring to her. “Is it true that you and Noah are done?” I continue to stare into her beautiful green eyes. She nods her head and I smile as I step in front of her,pinning her to the top of my car. “I’m glad to hear it.” My voice is soft as I lean in a bit closer.
“You are?” Her words come out in barely a whisper.
“Yes.” I rub my nose along hers. “Because I’ve been dying to do this.” I press my lips gently to hers, and when I pull away, she leans forward for more. This time she opens for me, giving me my first taste of her, and it’s better than anything I’ve ever tasted before. My hands slip into her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, our tongues exploring each other’s mouths. I pull away, resting my forehead on hers.
She closes her eyes. “Let me take you out.” It’s more of a demand than a question but I’m hoping she says yes.
“I don’t know, Slade. I know you’re a great guy and…you’re…” her words trail off.
“I’m what?” I give her a dirty grin.
She bites the inside of her lip and blushes as she contemplates her words. “Let’s just say I’m attracted to you.”
My head falls back as I laugh at her choice of words. “There’s no but then. Dinner. Wednesday night. I’ll cook for you.” She giggles. “What’s so funny? I can cook.”
“It’s funny because I can’t cook. My mother and sister both are excellent cooks, but I can’t cook for shit, and my sister keeps telling me I need to find a man who can cook for me or we’ll starve.”
I pull her away from my car. “Well, you’ve found me.” I press my lips to hers one more time. “Where’s your cell?” She slips it from her back pocket and hands it to me. I save my number in her phone, text myself so I have hers and hand it back to her.
“I should probably get going. I have to be at the gym in the morning to start my training.” She looks to the ground.
“Let’s get you home then.” I pull her off the hood of my car and open her door for her again before getting in myself.
I pull up to her place a while later. She looks over to me. “Thanks, that was fun.”
“You’re welcome.” She glances down but I lift her chin. “Don’t look away. You’re beautiful, and I like looking into those brilliant green eyes of yours.” I kiss her goodnight. “I’ll text you my address when I get home, and I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“It’s a date.” She jumps out of my car and runs up the steps of her porch. She waves, and as soon as she ducks inside, I shoot straight home, tasting her lips on mine the entire way. I can’t wait to taste the rest of her.