I rolled my eyes. “Of course, the Montgomerys own bars. Or at least friends of the Montgomerys. Why wouldn’t there be a type of business in every field out there run by your family?”
“We’re taking over the world, one slice at a time.”
“Is that on the business cards?”
“It was in the contract we signed when we started working for Montgomery Ink Legacy,” a familiar voice said as he walked toward our booth.
I stiffened ever so slightly, and Daisy gave me a weird look before grinning at Leo, Tristan, and Taryn.
“You’re here. I was hoping you’d make it in tonight.” She scooted farther into the booth as Taryn sat next to her. I moved as well, viscerally aware that Leo sat next to me. Tristan pulled up a chair at the end of the booth, and we all said our hellos. I did my best not to think about the fact that Leo’s arm was almost touching mine.
It was weird that I noticed that at all. I didn’t even know him, other than that he seemed nice and was talented, at least from what I could tell. He was also a friend of my friends. And, in a way, he had saved my favorite little boy’s life, even though he hadn’t really been in danger. Besides that, I didn’t know Leo.
Since he didn’t look at me with any interest and moved his arm swiftly, I figured he didn’t want to know more about me. That was fine. I was used to it.
“I’ll go get something to drink. Long day,” Tristan said as he got up without asking anybody for their order.
“I take it he knows what you want?” I asked, my lips twitching
“He thinks he does,” Taryn said with a laugh before she followed him.
That left Leo, who looked between us. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”
“Denver is a small world,” Daisy said with a laugh.
“Truer words have never been spoken,” Leo agreed.
Did I detect a spark there? Or maybe I was simply seeing things because I wanted a spark of my own. I needed to stop worrying. My future would come. I was happy with my life. Just because I was going down this road thanks to a promise I had made on my father’s deathbed, that didn’t mean I had to worry about the outcome continually. Things would happen when they did. I had to stop focusing on the negative.
“You look pretty tonight, May,” Taryn said as she sat in the booth again.
She handed me my latte and Daisy her cupcake, and I nodded in thanks.
“So…were you out tonight, Daisy?” I asked, trying to fill the silence.
“I’m wearing sweats, but thank you for thinking this is my date attire.”
“You look hot in sweats,” I teased.
“Tell me more,” Tristan said with laughter, and Taryn smacked the back of his head.
“Weirdo.”
“Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m a guy.”
“You’ll notice I didn’t say anything like that,” Leo said primly.
“Because I said it first,” Tristan mumbled, and we all laughed, taking some sips of our drinks.
“But seriously, you do look nice,” Leo said, looking down at his drink.
I shrugged. “I had a date. Now, I don’t.”
“Do I have to knock some heads?” Taryn asked, and Tristan winked.
“We’re good at it,” Tristan put in.
“When have you had practice?” Leo asked before holding up his hand. “No, don’t incriminate me or put me into something after the fact.” He turned to me. “I’m sorry your date went bad.”
“Well, I thought it was going good. And then he said I reminded him of his ex and that he still loved her. Then he walked away and left me alone in the park.”
Leo’s gaze went dark. “He left you alone at night downtown? Okay, now we’re going to knock some heads.”
Everybody started grumbling, and I smiled, shaking my head. “Stop. I’m fine. He left me alone in a lighted section. I hope he’s happy.”
“You’re a better person than I am,” Taryn added.
“No, I’m just used to it.” At the questioning looks, I shrugged. “It’s nothing. Now look at me. I ended up with friends at a coffee shop in the evening with a great latte. It sounds like a pretty good way to wind down.”
Leo gave me a look before the conversation shifted to Daisy’s future plans. She growled at them and didn’t completely answer the questions, but I knew she would find her way eventually. She always did. She had her family and friends to back her up. While I sat with people who weren’t quite friends but could be one day, they were good people. And I wasn’t alone.
I had to remind myself that I had felt a spark earlier tonight, even if it hadn’t panned out. That meant I could find it again. I just had to keep looking.
Even if my mind had no idea what to do with that thought.
Chapter 4
Leo
My alarm blasted in my ear, and I winced, reaching for my phone to shut it off. I would have loved to hit snooze and sleep for a few more hours, but that wasn’t happening today. I needed to head to work and meet with my next client.
I rolled out of bed, stretching my arms over my head as I arched my back, telling myself that I needed a better mattress. I was an adult now. I should own a mattress I chose for quality rather than buying the cheapest one.
I turned to make the bed so I wouldn’t forget to do it.
It had been ingrained in me at an early age that if you made your bed before you even fully opened your eyes, it would be done for the rest of the day. And while some kids might’ve gotten away from that idea, I liked sliding into smooth sheets after a long day. It might not be what most people thought when they saw me, but whatever. I had quirks and idiosyncrasies.
I made my way to my bathroom, brushed my teeth, took care of my business, then stepped into the shower, all while mostly sleepwalking.
I wasn’t a morning person. I preferred late nights and watching the sunrise from the opposite end, but sometimes my schedule didn’t allow for that.
The water heated, the glass walls of my shower steamed, and I slowly woke up, promising myself that I had a cup of coffee waiting for me as soon as I got out.
I didn’t know why I was so groggy, or why everything hurt. Well, maybe I did. I hadn’t been able to sleep thanks to dreaming about a certain woman.
Someone who wanted nothing to do with me. Whom I had promised to stay away from.
I cursed under my breath as images of her hit me again.
It was probably wrong to think about her like this, but it wasn’t like I was going to do anything about it. She was only a dream—a figment of my imagination. I cupped my balls, gripped my dick, and slowly slid my hand up and down my length.
My cock ached, and I continued stroking myself, imagining May’s hands on her pert breasts and how she would moan for me as I slid deep inside her.
She would wrap her legs around my waist, and I would fill her before we both moved, me pounding into her as we each tried to get closer.
She would scrape those pretty little nails down my back, and I would grip her hair, clamping my mouth down on her neck to nip, bite, and lick.
I would wrap my lips around her nipples and suck until they were the color of bright red cherries.
She would come for me, clamping around my dick as both of us groaned in completion.