The pale glow of the fridge light gave Boobs a level of sensuality that never should be associated with baked goods.
Paul came up behind her and slid a hand on her shoulder. The combination of his low whistle by her ear and the blast of cold from the fridge had her nipples standing up in two hard points.
“That’s impressive.”
God, she hoped he was talking about the cake. “Thanks. I promise the end result will be stunning.”
She closed the door, but Paul didn’t move. His grip tightened on her shoulder as his other hand snaked around to cup her waist. “I have no doubt everyone will be suitably impressed.”
Her breath hitched in her chest and her pussy was soaking her panties. “Paul?” It was barely more than a whisper, but she couldn’t manage anything else.
“How long have we known each other?”
Sadie swallowed. “Ten years.”
Five months and seventeen days.
“Shit, really?” Paul stepped close enough for his chest to press against her back.
“Rachel introduced us. Remember?”
“Yeah. How’s she doing?”
“Married and pregnant.”
“Good for her.” He gently squeezed her side and Sadie’s heartbeat tripled. “I never asked if you were seeing someone. I mean, it’s been what, a month since we last got together. Ten guys could have been in line in the meantime.”
“Ten guys? Please. You know me better than that.”
Paul pulling out to come all over my stomach…
“Regardless, I have no time to date. I’ve been too busy helping with the store.”
“That’s a shame.” He didn’t sound the least bit disappointed.
With his head close, she could feel the warmth of his lips brush the shell of her ear. Sadie turned her head toward him, shifting nearer, and knew if she swayed forward even half an inch he would kiss her.
He licked his lips and tightened his grip before taking a step away. Sadie bit the inside of her cheek and closed her eyes, desperately trying to get a hold on her traitorous libido. The bitch.
“You think any more about my question?” Paul’s voice wasn’t its usual smooth purr. It was rough and deep, sounding nothing like she’d ever heard before. “Because I’d love to hear the answer.”
Sadie groaned, pressing her hands to her face. “Why do you care?”
“I told you, I want to make sure you understand about the club, its people, before you walk in that door.”
“Bullshit, Paul.” Sadie dropped her hands to her side, spun around to face him. She’d spent nearly two weeks on edge because of him and his stupid fucking question. “You’ve known me for ages and you never once asked me anything close to this. You know I would never offend anyone who goes to your club. What the hell is this about?”
Clenching her fists, Sadie stared him down, refusing to give in to the temptation to grab him by the shirt and kiss the hell out of him. Paul lowered his chin to his chest and let out a soft growl.
“You never seemed interested in anything or anyone beyond your work.” He stepped closer, once again closing the distance between them. “Every time I try to talk to you, or tease you, if we’re out in a group, you brush me off. You smile and laugh at everyone else’s jokes, fucking flirt with anything with a cock. Except for me.”
Nerves made her stomach churn. “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t flirt with anyone.” She didn’t, did she? Hell, the only one she ever paid attention to was
him
. “Besides, we’re friends. I—I don’t flirt with friends.”
Do I?
Paul stepped forward, forcing Sadie to take a step backward to maintain the distance between them. “Don’t flirt? Really?” Another step forward, followed by her retreat. “What about the time Steve was tripping over himself when he realized you wanted to help him with his accounting course in university?”
Step. Retreat.
“I was tutoring him! How is that flirting?”
“He was a straight-A student.”
Step. Retreat.
“Then there was Brian Healy two years ago. You baked him cookies and cakes at Christmas time.”
“His parents were visiting and I know he wanted to make an impression.”
“He was ready to marry you after that!”
Step. Retreat.
Sadie gasped when the wall hit her back. Paul placed an arm on either side of her head, preventing any possible escape. “Those two and the countless others you never seemed to pay any attention to, couldn’t weasel their way into your heart. I want to know—what will it take to leave an impression on the impenetrable Sadie Long?”
You!
Her head was screaming, but nothing came out of her mouth.
“Are you going to answer me?” He cocked his eyebrow.
“Why?” Her head spun and her body trembled.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“I want to know.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss to her forehead. “Tell me.”
She swallowed. “No.”
Paul growled softly. “Everything looks fantastic, by the way.” His breath was coming out in deep pants. “I think Josh will be happy with the end result.”
“Good.”
Kissmekissmekissme.
Paul swallowed. “I brought you something. Your uniform for the club. Josh didn’t want you feeling uncomfortable or out of place while you were there. I didn’t want you to be surprised. I figured you could have a day to try it on and make sure it fits.”
Sadie nodded. Her body wasn’t capable of any other response.
“I better go. I’ll leave the package on the counter.”
“Okay.”
He pushed away from the wall. “Okay.”
“Fine.”
“Yup.”
“Paul?”
He turned to her, his brown eyes wide and expectant.
Unable to hold his gaze, she stared at the spot on the floor between them. “I do have fantasies.”
Paul raked his gaze over her, head to foot and back again. “We all do, Sadie.”
She didn’t move for a long time after the door to the store closed shut behind him.
Sadie yanked at the top of the corset and prayed to God that her breasts wouldn’t fall out of the damn thing. She hadn’t peeked into the bag until the next morning. The electric blue of the satin bustier popped next to the black faux-leather skirt and fishnets that completed the outfit. She’d stared at the material for a long time before slipping it back into the bag and getting into her normal jeans and T-shirt. She forced herself to go to work and not think about what she’d have to put on that night.
Focusing on making lemon tarts after that was a challenge, when all she could think of was Paul’s reaction to seeing her dressed in what he’d picked. Would he stare at her breasts, her ass? Would he notice her at all in a sex club filled with beautiful people?
And now with the time at hand, she couldn’t believe she was about to wear the outfit in public.
“You finished in there?” Paige called out from the bedroom.
When she’d found out about the corset, Paige had insisted on seeing her in it,
only to make sure.
Not that she didn’t respect her big sister’s opinion on all things sex, but Sadie didn’t necessarily want to go on parade for her either.
“One second.” Sadie tugged on the bust one more time and slipped into the black stilettos she’d scrounged from the back of her closet. “No laughing.”
“Baby, have I ever laughed at you?”
“Junior Prom.”
“Why Mom ever let you go out with your hair like—oh my God, you’re gorgeous!”
Sadie held the door for support, her ankles threatening to buckle as she walked onto the bedroom carpet. “I feel like my boobs are going to fall out.”
“Ian will laugh at you for saying boobs.” Paige made a spinning motion with her finger. “Let’s see.”
She’d pulled her hair up into a clip, exposing her neck and bare shoulders to the cool air. Resisting the urge to cover her breasts, she forced her arms straight to her sides and spun a wobbly circle for Paige. “Verdict?”
“If Paul doesn’t fuck you up against the wall by the end of tonight, then I’m going to tell Ian he’s fair game.”
“Christ, Paige!” Sadie retreated back to the bathroom. “I’m there to make sure the catering is going smoothly. I’m not trying to get laid. Not by Paul or anyone else for that matter.”
“Sweetie, you keep telling yourself that. You’re going to Mavericks dressed up as sexy as I’ve ever seen you. If Paul doesn’t stake his claim on you within the first five minutes, you’ll have to beat the men—and a fair number of the women—off with a large stick. Either way, you’re having sex tonight.”
Why was she the only normal one of the siblings? Ignoring Paige when she slipped into the bathroom behind her, Sadie began to put on her makeup.
“Did Paul tell you anything else about the evening? You need more eye shadow or your eyes will look washed out.”
“Nothing beyond needing to be there at nine o’clock for setup.” She stopped after putting on her normal amount of makeup, only to add more eye shadow after a few seconds of assessment. “I assume the events won’t start until ten. Are you coming?”
When Paige didn’t answer, Sadie glanced up at her in the mirror. “Paige?”
“I don’t think so. Josh called and asked but I told him I had to help Ian.”
“Mitch will be in, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You can come to Mavericks if you want. I promise I won’t embarrass you.” Sadie didn’t like the expression on her big sister’s face. “You okay?”
“I don’t want to. I’m not into the club scene anymore.” She finally met Sadie’s gaze and grinned. “I’ve matured.”
Sadie rolled her eyes. “You matured at the age of five.”
“Besides, this is your big event. You don’t need me there gawking over your shoulder, stressing you out even more. Go. Have fun. Get laid. You’ll be fine.”
“Are you—?”
“Don’t you dare ask me if I’m sure. Or if I’m fine for that matter. I’m both. Go out and have some fun for once, sweetie. Stop worrying about everyone else and put yourself first.” Paige got to her feet. “Do you need any help, or are you good to go?”
“I took everything over except Boobs a few hours ago. I met the staff and gave them directions for setup. Ian’s helping me take the cake over as soon as I’m finished here.”
“Promise me you’ll wear a coat. The last thing I want is for you to get mugged. Or worse.”
“I will.”
“And call me in the morning once you’re up. I want to know every detail.”
“I
will.
”
Paige kissed her cheek and bounded out the door.
Now alone, Sadie’s nerves kicked in. Paul would be there. She’d be half-naked in a sex club and
Paul
would be there watching her. Closing her eyes, she leaned over the sink and let out a shaky breath.
Fuck.
Ignoring her nerves, Sadie grabbed her coat and her purse and left Ian’s apartment. She hated imposing on him, but she couldn’t go far dressed like this. The second she came into the shop, Ian was by her side.
“Let me see.”
“No frigging way.”
“I’m holding Boobs hostage until I see.”
“No. Frigging. Way.”
“Sadie Claus.”
“Brad Pitt, Ian. Brad Pitt.”
Ian cast a quick look over at Paige, who was helping a customer. “Bitch.”
“Love you too. Now let’s get Boobs over to Mavericks before I chicken out and put you in the corset instead.”
Ian chuckled. “You say that like I wouldn’t do it.”
“Fuck, you are so camp some days.”
He batted his eyes at her. “I took the liberty of getting Boobs into the box like you showed me. I suggest we use the cart and go really,
really
slow.”
The next thirty minutes were the longest of Sadie’s life. Who knew that a single box with a busty cake could cause this many headaches?
Ian pulled the cart, forced to navigate while looking over his shoulder to avoid running into pedestrians. “I forgot to say, you did a kickass job on this, Sade. Word of your baking skills will have our catering roster filled for the next two years.”
Sadie tried to hide her grin but failed miserably. “Thanks.”
She was about to say something else when the cart hit a hole in the sidewalk concrete. Sadie cried out and Ian lurched to the side, holding up the cart to prevent the whole thing from toppling to the ground.
“Hold on, let me help.”
Both Sadie and Ian turned to acknowledge their savior. She wasn’t sure who was more surprised, Blue Eyes for finding himself holding a cake box with a briefcase—while plastered against Ian—or Ian himself.
“Thank you,” she said when it was clear neither man was about to break their stare. “Can you hold it still while we get it over this hole?”
“Sure thing.” Blue Eyes grinned over at her. “Not the first time I’ve been asked that.” He winked at Ian.
It was the first time in all his twenty-seven years that her brother blushed that shade of red.
Only once Boobs was safe on the other side did Blue Eyes let go of the cart and take a step away from Ian. “Where are you kids heading tonight?”
“Sadie is catering an event. I’m trying to help her get the cake there in one piece.” Ian rubbed his hands down the front of his pants. “Thanks for the help. We would have lost her if you hadn’t come along.”
Blue Eyes shrugged. “At least I can now feel grateful I had to stay late for that call to Hong Kong.” The two men stared a moment longer before Blue Eyes cleared his throat. “I better let you two get your cake safely to its destination. Be careful of the Toronto sidewalk sinkholes.”
“Thanks.” Ian smiled and watched as Blue Eyes walked past them. Only once he was out of ear shot did Ian mutter, “Shit.”
“What?”
“I’d promised myself I was going to ask him his name the next time I saw him. I forgot.”
Sadie chuckled. “It’s his eyes. They’re a distraction.”
“They are
incredibly
blue.”
“Let’s get going. Watch the sidewalk.”
“How old do you think he is?”
“No idea.”
“He must have a decent job if he’s making calls to—”
“Ian. Focus.”
“Right. Sorry.”
By the time they got the cart onto the service elevator, Sadie could feel the sweat trickling down her back. God, if she’d known catering was this demanding, she might have had second thoughts before offering herself up.
Though she would never have said no to Paul.
“I can come in with you if you want.” Ian held the elevator door open. “Not that I can stay long.” He glanced over his shoulder down the street. She had the feeling he was hoping to catch sight of Blue Eyes.
“Go back. I’m sure Paige is freaking out the staff without you there.” Not that Paige knew the first thing about making drinks beyond brewing the coffee. “Paul said he would meet me upstairs at nine and it’s after that now. He can help me get the cake where it needs to be.”
“Okay. If you’re sure?” Ian leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Break a leg. And don’t forget to take pictures!”
As the doors slid shut, Sadie’s heart beat faster. In a few minutes she was going to be standing in a sex club serving cake nearly naked. She wasn’t sure if the flutter in her stomach was from nerves or fear. It wasn’t the room full of strangers that freaked her out, though. It was knowing Paul was up there, waiting to see if she’d actually worn the corset he’d given her. She’d have to peel off this jacket and be around him in an outfit that was as far away from her personality as she could get.
The sound of laugher filtered down to her before the doors even opened. A crowd of waitstaff, all dressed in varying degrees of leather, were zipping around the preparation area the service elevator opened up to. Several heads turned her way, and a few eyes even lingered when she carefully pushed the cart out and slipped off her coat. She kept her face to the wall, taking a few moments to compose herself before hanging up her coat and painting a smile on her face.
“Sadie!” Josh came through the door, grinning like some sort of evil overlord. Turning to face him fully, she found her smile growing more sincere. “I was scared you had backed out on us.”
Much like the first time she’d met him, Josh was dressed head to toe in black. The silk shirt reflected the beams from the pot lights above head, making interesting patterns across the fabric. The pants were form-fitting, hugging his large thighs and making his legs appear even longer and more powerful than before. He was handsome in a way that nearly overwhelmed her. All muscles and angles, making it difficult to picture how they would fit together.
Not like she could with Paul.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Where do you want me to put Boobs?”
A few of the staff close to her snickered until Josh leveled them with a stare.
Her face grew hot. “Sorry. That’s my brother’s nickname for the cake. It kind of stuck.”
“Let me help. I have a table for her out in the main room.” He pointed to two guys who took over wheeling the cart. “I’ll make sure you have final say over the placement.”
“I can do it—”
“You’ve put an incredible amount of effort into the event. Paul told me you did most of the food without assistance.” Josh placed a hand against the small of her back. “I want you to enjoy yourself tonight. Let my staff take care of everything else.”
Before she realized where he was taking her, Josh had led her to the catwalk above the main club area. People had already begun to arrive and Sadie couldn’t help but stare at the crowd below.
“Why do I get the feeling Paul asking me to come to cater tonight was a bit of a bait and switch?”
“Because you are an intelligent woman.”
“Josh, I don’t feel right about this. I’m not a member of the club and you’re paying me to make sure everything goes smoothly.” Sadie tried to hug herself, only to have Josh take her hands in his and kiss the backs of them.
“Tonight’s event is only for select customers. These are some of my most loyal friends from over the years. I want them to relax and give them a night they won’t soon forget as a thank-you.” Josh released her and leaned on the railing, smiling. “I’ll hold a more open event for the general club membership another night.”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with me, though.”
“Not directly.”
Sadie shivered, goose bumps prickling her skin. It was weird being in her near-naked state out in public. A quick inspection of the sparse crowd told her she was more dressed than several of the members, almost overdressed in some ways. It would have been worse arriving in her dress pants and blouse as she’d originally intended.
Being this close to Josh had Sadie’s emotions confused. She couldn’t deny her attraction to him—shit, he was nearly perfect to look at. But she couldn’t picture waking up to the sight of his face in the morning, or curling up together on the couch to watch TV at night.
She
could
imagine herself stretched out between him and Paul, running her fingers across their stomachs.
Sadie laughed away her nerves. “I hope they enjoy the food. If there’s anything you need, or if something isn’t right—”
Josh turned to face her, leaning his hip and elbow against the railing. “You’re a beautiful woman. I can see what it is about you Paul’s attracted to.”
Sadie didn’t have the strength to snap her mouth shut. “What?”
“He’s been flitting around here all evening, waiting for you to come back.” Josh thumbed the top of her corset, careful not to touch her skin. “He arrived after you’d dropped off the food earlier and I can’t remember him being that disappointed in a long time.”
“I…” Sadie frowned. “Paul isn’t…”
“Now, I know you’re a smart woman. I can’t say he’s ever been particularly subtle when it comes to expressing his interest in a woman before. But you are different. I’m finding this dance fascinating to watch.”
“I’ve known Paul for years. He’s never been interested in me. Not in any way other than being his friend.” Sadie shifted her attention to the floor area when a loud crack followed by a moan rose above the rest of the noise. A man had a beautiful blonde across his knee and was spanking her. “Granted, he’s been acting differently the past few months when we get together, but that doesn’t mean…He isn’t
interested
.”