“I should punch guys more often,” he says. “If that’s how you’re going to respond.”
I blush deeply. “That’s not… I mean, I’m not…”
“You’re not into that?” He laughs a little. “Don’t pretend like you didn’t love watching me punch that asshole for you.”
“I don’t need to be protected.”
“Maybe. But I’ll protect you anyway.”
I stand there in his arms for a second, staring into his eyes, and I feel so overwhelmed I can barely breathe.
But finally, he steps aside and takes my hand.
“Come on. Let’s walk for a bit before I have to go back to the office. It’s a nice day.” He pauses. “Unless you want to take me back to that little apartment of yours?”
I blush even more. “Another time. Maybe.”
“Another time then.”
He smirks at me and we start walking. I feel like the world moves in a blur around us, but one thing is sure: that kiss was real, and the feeling still lingers on my lips.4JacobI have that kiss on my mind early the next morning.
I can’t seem to get her taste off my lips. That little delicious Val, she tilted her head up toward me and begged for me to kiss her. I could tell she loved it when I punched that fucking thief in the face, loved it that I was willing to risk my safety to defend her.
She has no clue what else I’d be willing to risk. I got a taste… and now I know I need more. I need another taste as soon as possible. She’s already starting to drive me absolutely wild with it.
But I have to concentrate. I’m here for a reason, and that reason isn’t to fuck some gorgeous, smart young trader. I’m here to open another fucking office and to make some more money for my fund.
It’s raining slightly as I walk down the street. Philadelphia is never quiet, although not quite like New York. Even in the rain, there are panhandlers on the street, begging for change, yelling insults when people ignore them. I float past it all, intent on my meeting.
I stop at the given address and hesitate. It’s a little coffee bar. I’ve walked past this place a few times and wanted to go in, but it’s not the kind of place I’d want to have a meeting with prospective clients.
Normally, Darin would do this. But he’s busy in California right now and I’m the only one in the city, so it falls to me to get it done. I’ve gone to client pitches before and I’m comfortable with it, but it’s just not my specialty. That’s Darin’s department.
Doesn’t matter. I’m here. I close my eyes for a second, pulling up the look on Val’s face just after I hit that man. She looked absolutely enamored with me, like she couldn’t believe what I’d done… and couldn’t believe how much she loved it.
I smile and step inside.
The men I’m supposed to be meeting with stand out immediately. Most of the clients are local hipster types, lots of beards and cut-off jean shorts. The men I’m meeting with are sitting toward the back in black suits, both of them with well-groomed hair and dark eyes. They stand as I approach. They’re both average height, though the one closest to me is slightly overweight and in his mid-fifties. The other is clearly younger and fit with a sharp little smile.
“Mr. Caro and Mr. Morra?”
“You must be Jacob Lofthouse.” The heavier, older man smiles at me, shakes my hand. He has a deep Philadelphia accent, one that I’ve become accustomed to lately, though his stands out. “Nice to meet you. I’m Carmine Caro, just call me Carmine.”
The younger man shakes next. “Dino Morra. Just call me Dee, everyone else does.” His smile is charming and his accent isn’t as heavy as Carmine’s, but still there.
“Nice to meet you both.” I slip into the booth and before I can say any more, a man comes out with three cups of steaming espresso.
“Thank you, Thomas,” Carmine says.
The barista nods and heads back to the counter where people are waiting.
“It’s good stuff,” Dee says. “Very good. We bought this place, what, two years ago?”
“You couldn’t get enough of it. I said, you’s gonna get addicted, Dee. And here we are.” Carmine laughs. “I was right.”
“He was right.” Dee grins at me.
“How is the coffee business?” I ask. “We tend to avoid most food industry investments. Too volatile.”
The men grin at each other. “Volatile don’t bother us none,” Carmine says.
“No, volatile is okay. But this place is steady. I mean, look at it, still doing business even in all this rain.”
I had to admit, he had a point. Lots of customers were coming in and out. “So, gentlemen. I have a little presentation set up, if you want to see?”
Carmine shrugs. “Presentation, no presentation, doesn’t matter. Whatever you want to do, Jacob.”