Dear B,
I fucking did it! I made Private First Class. Major Jameson is taking us all out to a bar to celebrate. I feel like I’m the baddest motherfucker in the platoon. I gotta go. They’re calling for me. #pleasehookmeupwithjess
Love,
The awesomest brother you have
“OMG, Jess! You will not freaking believe the way they decorated this place. It looks like all four florists in the county dumped every flower they had onto this plantation.”
Snooping around and calling Jess while Sue, my boss, waits in the van for me to instruct her where to bring the three dozen pies we baked for the wedding might not be the most professional thing I could do right now. But how often does an opportunity to sniff around the coveted McCallister Jameson Foundation come around?
Never.
The closest I get to Cade Jameson is when he comes by the booth every weekend and purchases six jars of jam. Sometimes he says hi. Sometimes he grunts out a thank you and turns around and leaves looking pissed off. He’s a strange one, and this is as close as I’ll ever get to Cade in his comfort zone. I must seize the opportunity and do some recon. Okay, fine, I’m just a nosy bitch, but I’m beyond curious about what goes on behind these doors. Just judge me now because I have no hope I will come to my senses soon.
My quest to get to know Major Jameson has a way of bringing out the foolish college girl in me versus the new, twenty-three-year-old aspiring baker who has not seen a real penis in three damn years. You can feel sorry for me here. This girl needs a man.
“B, are you seriously sneaking around? They invited you, dumbass. Just be normal.”
I make a face but still hold my crouch, peering through the back fence, getting my first look at the pale pink flowers combined with white lilies scattered down a makeshift aisle between dozens of white wooden chairs. “Psht. I am being so normal it would impress you.”
“I doubt that. With the way you’re gasping for air it’s probably obvious to everyone around you that the most walking you’ve done has been back and forth to the oven.”
“Milos!” Jess scolds but it has no bite because she is fucking laughing. They can both suck a nut. Just because I only run if I’m being chased does not mean I’m that out of shape.
“Who invited you in on this call, Milos? Isn’t it like dark-thirty over there in Croatia?”
He laughs at my total ignorance of time zones. “As a matter of fact, you interrupted our work call about the review.” His tone turns a little stern as he continues to half-ass scold me for bailing on the call last night.
I was busy. Cooking. Shaving. Trying to pluck this stubborn devil hair from my eyebrow. I had to miss the call. I had real emergencies to deal with.
“Don’t start. You know what this means to me. I have penetrated their fortress!”
Milos and Jess both laugh at my choice of words. The three of us are so juvenile sometimes. “B. Go do your damn job and keep your hands to yourself. The last thing I need is to have to lie to my parents about why I need money to bail you out for groping all those hot Marines. Remember, self-control.” Jess’ warning is ridiculous. I wouldn’t grope all of them. I only have eyes for one.
“Ten-four.” They both groan at my military terminology. “Gah, both of you are total buzzkills this morning.”
“We’re working. The Ragnarok review needs finishing before tonight and we’re hung up on whether we like Hemsworth’s comedic role with Mark Ruffalo.”
“How could y’all?” I whisper-yell into the phone. “He was perfect. This movie was his best yet! Five stars all the way. Y’all better not downgrade him because Mark was off his game.” Sighing, they stay silent knowing how I feel about Chris. The man turns my panties into a rain jacket. He could be on screen and fart and I would still think he was golden. Debating his comedic acting … they’re crazy.
“Go to work, B. We’ll talk later tonight.”
Right. I have work to do. Like, maybe “accidentally” running into Cade Jameson.
“Okay. Love you, both of you, even if your opinions on Ragnarok suck.”
“Bye, B. Behave yourself.” They snicker and hang up.
Pocketing my phone, I straighten to my full height, acting like I belong here. Be cool, B. You got this shit.
I round the front of the house, noticing several caterers filing through the front door of the beautiful white plantation house. I’m guessing this entrance is the best place to ask someone where to put these pies. I bound up the creaking steps and notice the front porch is freshly painted, the banisters wrapped in tiny white lights for the wedding. Pink flowers are nestled into planters every few feet, creating an old country elegance. It’s simple and beautiful.
Sigh. I want a wedding. I mean, I need a man first but what’s the harm in a dry run sans the man? Weddings make me feel magical, like I’m a princess—
“Excuse me.” I startle at the deep voice in front of me. “Can I help you?”
Black dress shoes are where my eyes start. Then they drift up muscular legs that bulge at the seam of his dress pants, letting you know he loves to do leg presses. Farther up his beautiful body, a lean torso is hugged by a white button-down shirt, left open, drawing attention to a deep tan. His eyes, my God … they’re almost golden in color. And his mouth is … frowning. At me.
Right. He asked me a question and I’m standing here like I’m star struck.
Get it together, Breck.
I plaster on a smile and extend my hand, which unfortunately is stained an ugly shade of purple from smashing up blueberries all day yesterday. “I’m Breck. I have pies.”
O.M.G. Did I seriously just say I have pies?
“I mean—” He stares at my outstretched hand and takes it after a beat of awkward silence. “Can I start over?” I plead, trying to bury my head in my collarbone. My first big job ever and I blow it. Sue will never forgive me if I ruin any future business for her.
The McCallister Jameson Foundation hosts huge fundraisers, and it would be nice if we could do more business with them, but my nerves at being in Cade’s house betray me. That’s it; I’m destined to be a waitress for the rest of my life. My hand trembles and I look up to see the handsome stranger who opened the door is laughing.
“Come on, Breck, who has pies.” Oh, great, a new nickname. “I’ll show you to the kitchen.”
A sigh escapes with my smile of appreciation. “Thank you.”
He leads the way and I’m happy to report that his ass looks just as good as the rest of him.
“I’m Mason, by the way.”
I jerk to attention, praying he didn’t just catch me checking out his rear end.
“Hi, Mason. It’s nice to meet you,” I recover smoothly even though my voice sounds timid as I follow him through the halls, heading for what I hope will be the kitchen.
The interior of the house is just as precious as the outside, with light colors and family photos making up most of the decor on the walls. I guess when your foundation comprises of six men, you learn to keep it simple.
“Here we are.”
I take in the clean kitchen with stainless steel appliances. But what grabs my attention is the two guys at the breakfast table with a bottle of Jack between them.
“One pussy for the rest of your life, man,” the blond teases the dark headed stranger with magnificent blue eyes who I happen to know is Theo Von Bremen, the retired two-time Cy Young winning pitcher. I may or may not stalk his Instagram page.
And, no, the whole reason is not because he has an ass I could bounce a quarter off of. Bennett liked his team. That’s the truth, somewhat.
Theo doesn’t answer his friend. Instead, he slams back a shot and then does his friend’s shot too.
“Ah, shit.” Mason touches my shoulder with a groan. “Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I nod, entranced by the two at the table, and secretly admire the forearm porn going on as they slam back another round of Jack.
“The same tired blow job for eternity.”
Theo, who apparently will have the same tired mouth and pink taco until death do him part, takes another shot while the other hot-ass laughs, continuing to taunt him with fucked up wedding comments.
“What the fuck?”
I jump in response to the familiar voice.
Cade Jameson has entered the building, and holy alien babies, he’s wearing a motherfucking tank top with his dress shirt hanging open. Those delicious pecs toy with my emotions as they flex underneath the snug fabric, taunting me with ridiculous requests like: Bite me, Breck.
Crazy, right?
But Cade has some serious voodoo going on because I take an unintended step in his direction when he snaps, “Are you seriously getting him drunk, Hayes?” Cade charges over to the two drunks and snatches the bottle of liquor from the table before turning and pouring it down the sink.
“Aw! Come on, Major. I was just having a little fun with him. He had some nerves.”
Cade mumbles something low that sounds a lot like stupid motherfuckers.
“Cade.” Theo’s glassy eyes meet mine like he just realized I was here. And then he smirks at me. “Jameson,” he mutters.
“Don’t talk to me right now, Von Bremen. Commander is going to be fucking pissed that you’re drunk two hours before the wedding.”
“Jameson.”
Shoulders hunched, Cade sighs at the sink before straightening and walking to the table, sliding a glass of water in front of Theo. “Drink all of it.”
Theo laughs at the glass of water and tries to lay his head down on the table. “No, no, no. Stay upright,” Cade scolds, his tone laced with exasperation, pulling him up in the chair by his shoulders and then glaring at Hayes. “This is your mess. Sober his ass up right now.”
“Jameson.”
Cade loses his temper, yelling into the kitchen with the voice of a Marine. “What, Theo?”
Silence.
You could hear a mouse burp in China. That’s how quiet it is in this kitchen until Theo snorts and points to me.
“Your jelly girl is behind you.”
Jelly girl? What the hell is with these people and nicknames? First I’m Breck who has pies and now I’m jelly girl? Should I be insulted or flattered that they take notice of me enough to give me a nickname?
I’m going with flattered because I’m an optimist.
And well, the fact that Theo made it sound like it was Cade’s nickname for me—however terrible—makes me feel pretty fucking amazing.
Until Cade whips around and faces me with hardened eyes like the last thing he wants is for his jelly girl to be here.
I blink back at his scowl and swallow. Except, it seems like I’ve swallowed a tennis ball, so I try swallowing one more time before I offer him a hesitant smile.
Mason comes in and places his hand on my shoulder, completely out of breath. “Good. You found them,” he says to Cade. “And Breck.” He smiles at me with a glint in his eye that I’m not sure what to make of until he says, “She has pies.”
Theo, and who I assume to be Hayes, doubles over laughing. I’ll admit, it was a super dumb thing to say, but damn Mason, could you not have kept my little blubber to yourself, you walking orgasm?
I’m about to apologize to Cade when I notice he’s smiling too. He wipes any evidence of a smile off his face, clearing his throat and addressing me for the first time since I’ve been standing here.
“Breck.”
“Hi.” Hi? Really? Where is your inner hot girl? Your inner cool kid?
“Hi,” he says, his voice full of gravel.
Did I bring a change of panties? If I didn’t, these will have to come off. Major Jameson is going to dehydrate my lady parts with that broody look and sexy voice. Damn it. You are a professional, Breck.
“I, uh, I didn’t know what Anniston wanted me to do with all the pies. We have thirty in the back of the van.”
Cade’s eyebrows shoot up. “Thirty?”
I nod and clasp my hands in front of me to keep from jumping his fine ass.
He turns around after a beat and motions with his index finger for me to follow him up the staircase. “I didn’t know we ordered pies. You’ll need to ask Anniston.”
“I don’t want to bother her,” I start, but he shakes his head and continues up the steps. “Don’t worry about it. I need to ask her about some things myself.”
The last part of his sentence sounds like he’s pissed. Surely, it’s not about me being here. Maybe there have been other issues? I’m going with that theory.
“Fifty bucks says he takes another thirty-minute shower today.”
The two guys left behind in the kitchen drunk-laugh. I don’t understand it, but I gather Cade does when his shoulders tense right before he hollers back at them, “Sober up, Theo. Or I’ll run you until you puke it all out.”
It’s assault if I push him down on these steps and tear open his suit pants like an animal, right? I’m asking for a friend, not that I want to do such a thing. But if I was, I blame it on that damn commanding voice he used. I can’t help that it went straight to my clit and vibrated around a little.
“Through here,” he says, directing me through a bedroom door, only rapping once.
Anniston calls out almost immediately, claiming she is decent. Cade pushes through and I trail behind, feeling very out of place in the moment.
“How do I look?”
Anniston twirls around, and I hear Cade suck in a breath before he clears his throat and rasps out, “Like an angel.”
It’s not jealousy swirling around, making me feel like I want to shove him out the door so he can’t stare at her strapless, gossamer gown. She does look like an angel, but is it awful that I want Cade to think she looks like a troll? I’m a bitch for thinking it but he certainly didn’t look at me like that when I walked in. Granted, this sexy chef’s jacket hides my best assets, but still, my makeup is on point and my hair is pinned into the cutest French twist that took me over an hour to learn how to do from watching YouTube tutorials. And here Cade is, complimenting her perfect curls and tight body. Okay, so he said she looked like an angel, not that he wanted to dry hump her against the doorframe, but—
“Hi, Breck! You look beautiful!” Anniston swishes toward me, bypassing a scowling Cade. She squeezes me in a tight hug before lightly touching my hair. “Your hair is exquisite. Did you do it yourself?”
And now I feel like a turd. I’ve only met Anniston a few times at the market. She mostly deals with Sue or sends Cade. I like when she sends Cade.
“Doesn’t she look gorgeous, Cade?”
Okay, now I fucking love her. With a confident glance at Cade, I hike up a brow and wait for my compliment. He coughs, eyeing my hair and then trailing down the rest of me at a lazy pace before he licks his lips and admits, “She does.”
Score!
I don’t even care that he had to be prompted. But then he continues and the high I was riding is quickly sucked out of the room. “Not that I mind another beautiful lady in the house, but what exactly is she doing here?” He openly glares at Anniston and they stay silent, locked in each other’s stare as they silently communicate.
“Theo wanted pie,” Anniston finally says, breaking the tension-filled silence.
Cade scoffs. “Theo hates pies. He wanted cookies.”
Anniston shrugs and taps me on the shoulder as she goes back to sit at her vanity. “Well, he got pies. Any other questions, Major Jameson?”
Her no-bullshit tone halts any further arguments from Cade. The only indication he’s still pissed is the twitch of his jaw, but he grinds out one last question. “Do you want her to leave them in the kitchen?”
Anniston turns to face Cade, her eyes going wide. “No,” she states, waging a silent war with Cade. “I want her to serve them at the reception like Sue and I agreed upon.”
I almost expect Cade to stomp his foot, but he doesn’t. He squares his shoulders and inhales a ragged breath before tipping his chin once in understanding.
“Thanks so much for doing this, Breck,” Anniston continues like she and Cade weren’t just silently feuding with each other. “The guys are excited to gorge on your famous pies.” While Cade is glaring holes in her face, Anniston continues to praise me for baking all the different pies so each of the guys could get their favorites. I don’t tell her we made twice as many as she ordered. She and Theo are big names in this town, so we thought she may have more guests than expected and wanted to come prepared.
“It’s not a problem. I’m glad we could help.” I move toward the door when she glares back at Cade. Obviously, they are about to have words. “We’ll get set up in the kitchen. Thank you for this opportunity, Ms. McCallister.” I turn the knob to let myself out, and Anniston acknowledges me with a big smile.
“The pleasure is all mine, Breck. I plan on doing much more business with you and Sue in the near future.”
I swear Cade chokes. But I don’t stay and confirm it because Anniston swings back around to face him and they lock eyes in another epic stare-down.
For some reason, I envisioned Cade and Anniston’s relationship functioning very differently. I may enjoy this wedding a lot more than I originally thought.