“I can’t. I have responsibilities and a family to provide for.” Which was way more than Jett and Flynn knew.
“A family?” he asked, and his eyebrows crinkled in concern.
“Yes, my sister and nephew. They live with me.”
“Oh, you share an apartment with them. So what does she do?”
“She takes care of Bryer. He was very sick for a while.”
“Oh, my. What was wrong?”
“He had cancer. He almost died.”
Raymond reached over and gently rubbed his knuckles against her chin. He held her gaze, she felt the tears in her eyes, and she wondered why she was getting emotional. She hardly knew Raymond at all.
“That had to have been tough. Is he better now?”
She smiled and nodded her head.
“Wonderful. So you’re the breadwinner in the family?”
She smiled. “Yes, I am. So you see I’m really in no position to look for a job elsewhere. Jett and Flynn pay me well.”
“They’ve had the business for long?”
“Almost three years. I walked in on a whim one day and the bartender said they were hiring. He introduced me to Jett and Flynn and they interviewed me on the spot. I was fresh out of college and had a little experience.”
She thought back to that day, and how early her infatuation with the two older, sexy men had begun. They took to each other instantly. Too bad nothing ever came of it.
“Well, as long as their business is doing well, then your job is secure.”
“Oh, they’re doing great. That’s why we can be closed on Sunday and Monday.”
“Which is why I have you all to myself right now.” He began to draw tiny circles on her hand.
Raymond was very charismatic, and by the time dinner was through, he was escorting her down the street, and trying to talk her into going back to his place.
She denied him, and then he wrapped his arms around her as he pressed her against the side of the limo. The man was so intense, so macho, but there was something in his eyes that put her on guard. She wasn’t quite sure what it was.
“If you won’t come home with me, can I at least kiss you?” he asked. She knew it really wasn’t a request, and to be honest, she wanted him to. A man hadn’t kissed her in ages. So when he leaned forward slowly, she closed her eyes and he kissed her.
When he finally released her lips, after being so thorough with his hands and his tongue, he kissed her nose.
“You are delicious. When can I see you again?”
She smiled. “I don’t know.”
“Tomorrow? Say yes. Meet me for breakfast or lunch?”
“I have some errands to run in the morning and a workout to do.” He ran his hand across her hip to her ass. He gave it a squeeze and she gripped his arms.
“You seem in perfect shape to me.” She swatted his hand away.
“First date, remember?”
“Oh, I remember, but I’m originally from Brazil. We do things a little differently.” He teased her, then raised one eyebrow up in an adorable way. She shook her head as she laughed.
“Let’s get you home. We’ll make plans on the way.” She smiled as he pulled her against him, and Avery opened the door for them.