“Yeah?” His brow climbed. This is the stuff he did in his sleep at his old job and gave him the biggest buzz. Grabbing a deal and flipping real estate for profit was a gift. Somehow, his brain clicked in all the right ways to get what his clients wanted. Stealth was well-known in the industry and a power player. “I’m surprised they came to us.”
His boss grinned. “Yeah, me too. We’re small potatoes but seems someone found out you were working here and thought you could get the job done. There’s a hefty bonus in there, too.”
“You didn’t want this one?” he asked carefully. Usually, the owner claimed all rights to these types of opportunities.
“No, I have enough crap to deal with. Plus, the last time I tried something like this, I ended up being the villain in town. No one likes to hear their mom-and-pop shops are going to be bulldozed. You have less connections.”
Kane laughed. “I’m the bad guy, huh?”
His boss laughed. “Take it, leave it, doesn’t matter. I’m happy with what we’ve built here, but I sense you’re not. Stealth wants a conference call this week.” He paused, his gaze shrewd. “If you succeed, Stealth may want to hire you.”
Kane cocked his head with amusement. “Why do I get the feeling you won’t be fighting to keep me?”
His boss stood from the chair. “’Cause I won’t.” His gaze held a hint of sympathy that startled him. “I recognized your talent immediately, and I’m grateful to have you. But being in business for so many years allows you to see the bigger picture.” Duncan hesitated. Kane waited, curious. “I have nothing left to prove. But I think you still do. Let me know if you have questions. Good luck.”
Kane was firing up his computer before his boss hit the door. The old zap of adrenalin hit full-force, and soon, he was lost in the new proposal of possibilities. He put together a networking plan and fell down the rabbit hole of research until he surfaced late that day.
Before he got home, Kane decided to stop in for a beer at Sunfish. He texted Brick to see if he could join, but he was busy with Aspen and asked for a raincheck. Kane found an empty stool, ordered a whiskey, and enjoyed people watching. The place was kicking with tourists, bringing a revelry and chaos that amused him. It was as if everyone used their weeks off to cram as much fun into the hours as possible, and Sunfish was always a popular spot.
He chatted with a few drinking neighbors, waved to others he knew, and settled in.
Until he saw Sierra.
His body tightened with immediate awareness as his gaze locked in. She sat at one of the tables, her caramel hair shiny and curling down her back. A bright red sundress splashed with white flowers showed off her tanned shoulders and hugged her generous breasts. His gaze automatically swept down to check the shoes.
Yeah. She’d come out to play. The sexy red sandals held a sassy bow in the front with an open back. Kitten heels about an inch. She was afraid to look too tall so the whole thing screamed blind date. She leaned across the table, obviously trying to hear her companion over the noise, then offered a smile.
Jealousy ripped through him. He fought the urge to get up, cross the room, and haul the guy she smiled at off his feet and out the door. The primitive roar inside him ached to rip free and bellow the truth she refused to accept.
Sierra belonged to him.
The scene around him faded away as he studied the guy she sat with. Average looking, with a too-short haircut and roving gaze. His hand covered his phone like a cherished girlfriend’s hand. Even worse? He was wearing flip flops. Kane was embarrassed for him, but relief also hit full force.
She’d never be into a guy who didn’t even try.
His chest loosened and he was able to watch their interaction with calm. Oh, she was trying, he’d give her that, but the guy seemed more interested in the cut of her dress and his next text.
She’d barely get to dessert if she wasn’t rescued.
With a grin, Kane gripped his beer, got off the stool, and decided to save her again.
Just like he had four years ago.
The flare of awareness in her pretty hazel eyes struck him full-force, before a wall shot up to hide her emotion. But it was too late. He’d caught her interest and it was enough to jump into his role with delight.
“Sierra! It’s wonderful to see you,” he said, interrupting their obviously flat dialogue. He bent over and kissed her cheek, watching them redden. Kane knew it was temper, but at the moment, he didn’t care. Any type of response from her was a win. “I’ve been waiting for you to come over and see Pedro. He misses you.”
Her companion cleared his throat. Sierra glared, her teeth gnashing together. “Umm, Kane? What are you doing here?”
“Well, you mentioned you may be coming here tonight and we’ve been so busy, I hoped to catch you. Oops, sorry, don’t mean to interrupt.” He stuck out his hand to Mr. Flip Flops. “I’m Kane.”
The guy nodded and tentatively shook. Kane deducted more points for a limp shake that held no power. Sierra would eat this guy for breakfast. “Hi. I’m Gary.”
“Gary and I are on a date right now,” Sierra said, her mouth twisted in a painful smile. “We can talk another time.”
“Oh, I’m sure Gary doesn’t mind. You believe in co-parenting, right?”
Gary jerked. His brown eyes widened. “You’re a parent?” he asked.
