Going in Deep (Billionaire Bad Boys 4)

He’d never brought a woman to meet his friends, let alone this friend, his sponsor and the man who’d all but saved his life. And knew him best.

Kendall opened the door, wearing a V-neck, multicolor draped dress in light blue tones. Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks were bright, and he caught a glimpse of the woman he’d known, who was always up for any adventure.

“Looking good, kitten,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her on the cheek. He wanted to do more, but “tread lightly” was his motto.

She blushed. “Thank you.” She turned to Waffles, who was nuzzling her head against Julian’s jean-clad legs. “Be good, girl. I’ll be back later,” Kendall said.

Waffles whined in response.

“We’ll bring you to see Steve again soon,” Julian promised in an attempt to soothe the dog.

She whined again and lay down on the floor, gazing up at him with pathetic eyes.

“Are they born knowing how to make us guilty? Steve does the same thing.”

Kendall laughed, the sound light and airy, going right to his groin.

“Ignore her. She’s perfected the sad face. I have a camera here and an app on my phone. I can see her while I’m gone. She sleeps the whole time. Bye, puppy.” She blew a kiss, grabbed a bakery box from the counter, and they walked out the door.

She led him to the elevator, giving him a view of her spectacularly tight ass, hips swaying as she walked ahead of him.

Nick and his wife, Lauren, lived in a two-bedroom on the Upper West Side. The apartment was for sale because they were ready to move to a house in the suburbs, but they hadn’t been able to sell it for what they wanted yet. Julian would miss them living in the city and attending the same meetings, but like everything else in life, he’d adjust. He was just grateful he was finally in a good place and didn’t have to rely on Nick as he had in the past.

Together he and Kendall took a cab to their destination, the driver talking to them the entire way. Kendall shot him an amused smile, and impulse had him reaching out and grabbing her hand and running his thumb over her soft skin.

Her eyes opened wide, but she didn’t pull away, which gave him a silent thrill as they sped through Manhattan.

Chapter Five

Kendall trembled from the way Julian looked at her from the minute she’d opened the door. He had a way of making her feel beautiful with just that sexy glint in his eye, and she had to admit, a girl could get used to feeling that way. They were also growing more comfortable around each other, something else she couldn’t help but notice. And it was only the second time she’d seen him… or this new and improved version of him, anyway.

Once they arrived at the Cantones’ apartment, Kendall didn’t have time to be nervous. They were greeted by Nick, a good-looking man who appeared slightly older than Julian, with gray streaks in his hair, and his wife, a bubbly, petite blonde named Lauren, and their ten-year-old son, Brian.

“Uncle Julian!” The boy, with light brown hair, barreled into Julian in his excitement to see him.

“Hey!” Julian did some kind of weird guy-bonding handshake with the little boy.

Kendall’s heart did an unfamiliar thump at the sight of the man and the child together. It was an adorable sight to see.

“I’m so happy to meet you,” Lauren said, interrupting her thoughts as she grasped Kendall’s hand.

“Thank you for inviting me.” She held out the box of bakery cookies she’d bought to bring with her.

“You didn’t have to, but thanks! Come, join me in the kitchen. I just have to put the finishing touches on dinner.”

Julian met her gaze, and she reassured him with a nod and a smile. She could handle herself, and Lauren seemed friendly.

They left the men alone and headed for the kitchen, which was a simple setup, white walls and stainless steel appliances. City apartments were so small; it was obvious why the couple was ready to move out.

“Can I get you something to drink? I’d offer you wine, but I don’t keep alcohol in the house.” She glanced at Kendall, a knowing look in her gaze.

Kendall understood Lauren’s husband was a recovering alcoholic and nodded in reply. “A Diet Coke

would be great. I don’t drink, either.” She drew a deep breath, deciding on honesty from the start. “Bipolar meds don’t mix well with alcohol,” she said.

There was every chance Julian had already told Lauren and Nick all about her, and this was his family. She didn’t mind sharing.

Lauren treated her to a warm smile. “We all deal with something, don’t we?” She opened the oven and put on protective mitts, pulling out a lasagna. “So Julian’s never brought a woman around before. This is a big deal.” She placed the casserole tin on the cooling tray on the preset kitchen table. “You’re a big deal.”