I made the mistake of calling them that last night and, apparently, the title has stuck. “Good, my day was uneventful. I cooked for them instead of ordering out. Yesterday they made the comment that they only get home-cooked meals when they make it home to see their mothers, so I figured since I love to cook and the kitchen is beyond words, why not? This keeps me from running all over town picking up takeout.”
“Damn, I’m jealous. Do they need another assistant? Maybe a maid?” She wags her eyebrows.
“No.” I laugh. “Nancy is the name of the very nice lady who cleans for Kacen twice a week. She’s probably in her late fifties and super sweet.”
“Just my luck,” she says, taking a big bite of her pasta. “You know,” she takes a drink, “you should make this for them one day. I swear this is the best ever!”
“I’m sure I will. I’m eventually going to run out of recipes. I figure I’ll add a few meals of takeout to mix it up.”
“You’re going to spoil them, is what you’re going to do.” We both laugh at that because she’s right. “So what are the rest of them like?”
“They’re all great guys. They all have similar personalities. I’m pretty sure they all know about Hawaii.” I can feel the flush of my cheeks.
“Really? What makes you think that?”
“Cole, especially, likes to make suggestions, nothing over the top but when Kacen is around. It’s almost like he’s trying to rile him up on purpose. All of them have said or done something in some manner in the past two days in that aspect.”
“So, Kacen is taking the bait?” she questions.
“I guess,” I say with a shrug. “I can’t really tell. There have been a few instances where he insists they cut the teasing. I’m trying not to think about him caring. I need to focus on Kacen my boss, not Kacen the fling.”
“Meh.” She waves her hand in the air. “I think you need to focus on what makes you the happiest. If bumping uglies with bossman does it, then I say go for it. Life it too short.”
“Stacy! Seriously? Okay, say I start whatever it is you’re suggesting with him, and then he decides he’s done with me. Then what? I find a new job. One where I have to tell them the reason for leaving my most recent position is because I slept with my boss. I’m good,” I tell her.
“You can’t let what other people think influence you. You need to do what you want, what makes you happy.”
“I hear ya,” I tell her.
“Well, thank you for dinner, but I’m exhausted. We’re leaving earlier than normal tomorrow because the physicians we have to call on are further away. Lisa wants to beat the morning traffic.”
“I don’t have to be there until nine, but I’m going to stop at the post office on my way and pick up the fan mail. I was supposed to do it tonight, but opted for coming home a little early instead. Same reason to avoid the afternoon rush, I might head to bed myself.”
“The dishes can wait,” she says as she places the casserole dish in the refrigerator. “Let’s call it a night.”
I give my best friend a hug goodnight as we both head to our separate rooms.
Just as I’m about to fall asleep, my work phone rings. I know it’s my work phone from the Soul Serenade song blaring from its speaker. Not willing to open my eyes, I reach for it and blindly slide my finger across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Logan?”
“Yeah?” I recognize Kacen’s voice, which causes me to open my eyes. I’m now suddenly awake.
“Hey, sorry if I woke you. I just wanted to tell you that the guys and I are doing another late night writing session, so you could come in a little later tomorrow if you wanted.”
“Uh, okay. What time do you want me there?” I ask.
“Sleep in, maybe start at ten? If you could swing by and pick up something for breakfast, that would be great. I assume Cassidy gave you your AmEx?” he asks.
“Sure, ten is fine, and yes, she did. Anything else you need?”
“No, I’m good.” He’s quiet on the other end and so am I. I don’t know what to say.
“Logan?” His voice is soft.
“Yeah?” I almost whisper just from the softness of his voice.
“Sweet dreams.”
Just like that, he’s gone. The silence on the other end of the line is because he ended the call. His voice was so sincere. I lie awake for the next several hours contemplating what I’m doing. Was it the right decision to keep the job? To work for him? I’m still attracted to him, and just the sound of his voice and those sweet words “sweet dreams” has my body feeling all warm in places that should not be reacting.
In the early morning hours, I decide that tomorrow I will use my extra time before heading into work to apply for a few positions online.
Just in case.
Chapter 16
Kacen
I’m kicking myself in the ass for calling. Why did I call? I should have just texted her. Nope, I called, and her sleepy, sensual voice has me wound tight. She took that from me. She left my bed before I could wake up next to her and witness it firsthand. Not only that, but her sexy sleep-laced voice has me hard as a rock, and for the second night in a row, I’m taking matters into my own hands. I feel like a randy teenager all over again.
After a quick, necessary shower, I lie awake in bed staring at the shadows on the ceiling. We had a good session tonight. We’ve almost got a complete song, lyrics and music. They guys kept making comments about Logan. How good of a cook she is, how pretty she is, how sweet she is. I surprised myself when I wanted to strangle all three of them and tell them she’s mine. I’m man enough to admit that the green-eyed monster of jealousy was rearing its ugly head.
Jealously. It’s a new emotion for me. In my past relationships, if the guys would have said those things, I would have just laughed or agreed and went about my normal day. Tonight, it took all my patience to not throw down my guitar, stomp my foot, and declare her all mine. I believe that would be called a temper tantrum, and I was ready to blow.
She’s not mine.
My curt, “Knock it off, I thought we were writing,” must have been a big enough clue to my bandmates that Logan was not up for discussion. Now that I think about it, those fuckers were trying to get a rise out of me. I fell for it, but how could I not?
It’s Logan.
I wake to a smell that has my stomach grumbling. I slip on a pair of basketball shorts and head for the kitchen. Surely the guys are not cooking. It’s nine-thirty, so Logan is not due for another thirty minutes. I reach the kitchen and stop dead in my tracks. Logan is bent over looking into the oven. Her ass is in a pair of those jeans, you know the ones with the bling on the pockets. I’m not much up on brand names, but those jeans . . . they made those with Logan’s ass in mind. I swallow back the moan that tries to escape.
“You’re early.”
Logan jumps and then turns to face me with her hand over her heart. “You scared the hell out of me,” she scolds.
My eyes follow her hand as it rests against her breast. She’s wearing a tank top, not too tight or low-cut, but it makes a soft silhouette of her breasts. I quickly avert my gaze. I do not need to remember her pert nipples or how soft yet firm they felt under my touch. Nope, do not need to go there.