He tugged thoughtfully at the ends of his long white goatee as he said, “What about this Youth Center? You really going to try for that with everything that’s going on?”
When Cotton came up with the club starting its own construction company, I was intrigued. He wanted a cover for the money we were bringing in from early distribution, and we both agreed that a company like this would be the perfect front. I had no idea if we’d be able to pull it off, but I wanted to give it a try. I’d always had a passion for building things, and I was good at it. At first, we built small houses, trying to build a name for ourselves. It didn’t take long for us to become one of the best companies in the city. Our work was good, and we submitted the best bids to ensure our growth. Everyone came to us, and we were constantly expanding. It truly was a perfect cover. Not only did it launder money for the club, it provided all the patches working there viable proof of income as well.
“It’s one of the biggest projects we’ve had in a while. If they accept the bid, it could be a real good opportunity for us… opening doors down the road,” I told him.
“I get that, but this whole thing could get messy. It’s not about getting the job. She could find out that you’re looking for her brother, and that would have consequences. Just play it safe,” he ordered.
I nodded and walked out of his office. There was no point in arguing with him. I knew he was right. This wasn’t about some fucking construction project. It was about finding Tony. I had to make myself remember that.
I headed down the hallway to my room. I wanted to get changed before I met up with Allie. I threw on a pair of jeans and a plaid button-down shirt, trying to play the part of the contractor she would be expecting. Before I left, I went by the office to pick up everything I might need for my meeting with her. I wanted to get to the site early, so I could look over things one last time to check my figures. I knew it was crazy, but I wanted to get the bid for my own selfish reasons. I’d pretty much left her fucked with no time for other options, and truthfully, now I wanted more time with her regardless of if it got us Tony.
I was leaning against my truck when she pulled into the parking lot. I patiently waited as she fumbled around inside the car. Then, she finally opened the door and stepped out. As soon as her high heels hit the pavement, my eyes followed the line of her long, slender legs up to her thighs where her skirt had hiked up a little during her drive. The curls of her long, brown hair flowed down around her shoulders, concealing her face as she looked down to adjust her short, gray skirt. Damn. That sexy ass skirt hugged her curves in all the right places, bringing my cock to life right in the fucking parking lot. She quickly pulled her hair to the side and looked over to me. Her beautiful, pouty lips slowly curved into a sexy smile as her dark brown eyes met with mine. At that moment, all my thoughts of Tony were instantly forgotten. He became a distant memory as my entire mind was devoured by the beauty standing before me.
“Hey there, handsome,” she said. Just the sound of her voice made the world stop turning on its axis. I couldn’t explain it. It was like she had cast a spell on me, and I was unable to resist it. I wanted her. Hell, just seeing her standing there made me think about the future. I’m not that kind of man… I had never thought about my future… not with anyone, but now suddenly I was envisioning bike rides, a white picket fence… even rug-rats running around. It didn’t make any fucking sense. I watched as she started walking towards me, her hips casually swaying from side to side. Her gorgeous smile never wavered as she approached me. Perfect… she was fucking perfect.
“Looking good, All-Star.” A light blush of red crossed her cheeks as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Beautiful.
“Always the charmer,” she said as she handed me a cup of coffee. “You definitely know how to make a girl smile.”
“I can think of more than a few ways I’d like to bring a smile to that beautiful face,” I told her and grinned as I saw the curiosity flicker in her eyes. I stepped closer, and her breath stopped, only confirming what I already knew. She was into me. The sexual energy was raging between us immediately. I fucking loved it.
“You’re quite the flirt, Mr. Blackwood.”
I leaned down, just inches from her ear, and whispered, “Just stating the facts, sweetheart.” She shifted her feet and awkwardly fumbled with the lid on her coffee cup. I loved watching her try to hide her body’s reaction to me, but it was useless. I could tell that I was getting to her. “And call me Kane.”
“Okay… Kane,” she said with a bashful smile, looking down at her coffee cup.
“Don’t get shy on me now, darling,” I told her as I inched closer to her. We had shared so much over the past few weeks in our messages, I felt like I truly knew her.