Page 5 of Key Of Dreams
I decide to check out the local shops. I discover a really cool boutique with gently used vintage clothing that I get lost in for over two hours. I could have bought over a dozen items, but I curbed my itchy spending habit and picked up a peach-and-gray scarf and a black leather belt with an intricately designed buckle. Both will look great with a soft gray pencil skirt and cream sweater.
Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Sweaters, ankle boots, peacoats, ahh, I love them all. I’ve learned to become a selective shopper, and I am the deal-finding queen. Hence, I’m excited to discover hidden gems in a shop like the one around the corner.
Unfortunately, when I’m home alone, I have time to think, and all thoughts go back to the party and seeing Bull again. He’s too handsome, too sexy, too… Everything. I couldn’t stop staring at him. His eyes are mesmerizing. I was stunned when he reached out and touched me. His rough hand felt good on my skin. His lips were full, and when he smiled, I was left breathless.
I have an entire week of torture ahead of me. A week of anticipation, making myself crazy, and trying to think of a million excuses not to go. All of which are a waste of time because I won’t let Gertie and Kailyn down.
Chapter3
Step Up
Bull
“Mason, please don’t be late. I agreed to have the gathering at my place, and I could use a little help moving some things out of the way to make room for the folding table,” I hear Kailyn say.
“Babe, relax. I’m off all day Saturday, and then I’ll be at your beck and call,” Phoenix teases. He does an exaggerated bow in the doorway of her office.
A couple of days ago, Phoenix came into the boardroom and invited everyone to come over for a party on Saturday. And when he mentioned it was for a new friend of Gertie and Kailyn, I knew he was talking about Maya.
I’ve been looking for a reason to see Maya again. I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since that night. I’m not some lonely guy looking to get laid. All I have to do is walk into a bar, and I’ve got that covered. I’m not bragging. It is what it is. Women seem to be attracted to a big man like me, and I’m no virgin. I enjoy their company, but I never lie to them. They all know that I’m in for a good time, but have no intention of making it more than that.
Our new venture with Storm Enterprises is my main focus. Rebel, Wire, Phoenix, Falcon, and I have invested everything we have to make this work. We’ll be glad when Archer is done with his final tour and comes home to join us, but for now, the rest of us are holding down the fort.
Rebel is coming out of Falcon’s office and hears Kailyn as well.
“I’ll be there early,” he says. “I want to meet this pretty new neighbor of yours.” Rebel gives a flirty wink. I know he’s kidding, but I don’t like it. Actually, I want to punch him in the nose.
“Yeah, well, get in line,” Phoenix replies. “So far, the guy on the second floor, Collin from the gym down the street, and the owner of the coffee shop are all vying for Maya’s attention, and she’s ignored their asses.” He laughs.
“She’s full of herself?” Rebel asks, surprised.
Kailyn laughs. “Maya, stuck up? You couldn’t be more wrong. She’s not playing hard to get. She doesn’t even see that they’re interested in her. Maya doesn’t know how beautiful she is.”
“Beautiful, huh?” Rebel says with a salacious grin.
“Cut it out,” I snap. “She’s a nice girl and doesn’t need you to fuck her up.”
“Maybe I’m looking for a nice girl,” he counters.
“Since when?”
“What’s with you, man? You got a thing for this chick?” Rebel asks. I can’t blame him. He’s just being his joker self, and if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t give a shit. But he’s talking about Maya.
Without responding, I turn away from the three of them and stomp down the hall back to my office. Only, I’m not alone. Kailyn follows me, closing my door behind her.
“Bull?”
I walk around my desk and plant my ass in my seat. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
She steps closer until she’s standing in front of me. “Fine. You don’t have to talk, just listen. Maya is a sweet girl. I like her, and Gertie adores her. That says something right there. I wasn’t around the night you met Maya, but I have it on good authority that there were sparks.” I move to stand and speak, but she holds up a hand to stop me. “Let me finish.” She pauses and waits for me to sit down. “I’m going to tell you something that would get me kicked out of the sisterhood, but because I love you like my own brother, I’m going to let you in on a secret.” I blink and wait for it. “She likes you.”
My jaw clenches, and I haven’t got a clue how to respond. When I find my voice, I ask, “How do you know that?”
“When we were over, Gertie mentioned your name, and I saw Maya’s expression. I know that look, Bull. I know it because I’ve noticed it on myself.”
“She’s too young,” I mumble. She looks fresh out of high school, with her big, wide, blue, innocent eyes and creamy-white complexion.
“She’s twenty-seven years old. She may be from a small town, and she may be a little naive, but she understands attraction.” Kailyn raises her brow and hitches a hip, crossing her arms over her chest. “Let me put this to you another way. How are you going to feel if Rebel, Wire, or any other man, for that matter, makes a move? Could you deal with knowing she’s out with another guy?”
