Banking the Billionaire (Bad Boy Billionaires Book 2)(76)

“Thanks,” Kline thanked the bartender before taking a slow sip of his scotch—no lime. I smiled.

The bar was filled with people seeking post-work solace, and quite a few men and women looked like they were on the hunt for their next one-night victim. I’d been one of those people not too long ago, small-talking my way into the panties of whatever woman caught my eye.

It was actually funny how different they all looked to me in such a short time. Sexy smirks were now desperate fake smiles, and what I once considered banging bodies held none of my interest.

“Do you ever wish you could drink it the way you used to?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. The answer was in all the little things I’d never been able to see before.

“Not even a little,” he replied without hesitation. It wasn’t about the drink, but the life. We were both really happy guys. We were both content in our habits, hobbies, and careers, but some holes go unnoticed until something comes along that fills them.

“Come on,” I gestured overzealously as he put the glass to his lips again. “Let’s go out on the patio.” I saw Georgia and Cassie turn their backs to the window out of the corner of my eye.

“I guess time’s up, huh?” Kline smirked, and I narrowed my eyes.

“What are you talking about?” I asked in an empty attempt to continue our ruse.

“My wife. She’s ready for me. You’ve killed enough time.”

“How’d you know?”

He scoffed, and I smiled. Clever f*cking bastard.

“If I hadn’t known two weeks ago, I would have known as soon as I saw my wife’s ass through the windows.”

I laughed because, yeah, Georgia had a pretty memorable ass. I’d imagine the man who spent hours of his time paying it personal attention was highly attuned to it.

Well, whatever. If he hadn’t known, I probably never would have convinced him to come. He played the part of being dragged along well, but Kline Brooks didn’t do f*ck-all he didn’t want to. “Just don’t tell her you knew.”

“Unlike you, I don’t have a death wish or a need to be right out of principle.”

“Hey, I happen to think those are both admirable qualities.”

“Having a death wish is admirable?” he asked skeptically as we walked through a crowd of women toward the patio doors. Several sets of eyes followed us as we did. I did my best not to make direct contact.

“Okay, maybe not. But there’s a certain amount of bravery—”

“No,” he denied, cutting me off. “You can’t save this one.”

Fair enough.

I chuckled and tipped my head in defeat.

“Surprise!” the crowd shouted as we walked out the doors, and I didn’t waste the opportunity.

“Oh, my God,” I squealed with a hand to my chest. “You guys shouldn’t have!”

Plus, I knew Kline didn’t really like the attention anyway.

“Thatcher Kelly!” Cassie chastised, waving her arm in a reprimand. Her tits bounced with her gesture. I waggled my eyebrows and made my advance while Kline rushed his wife and scooped her into his arms. He didn’t make any other effort to address the crowd, and I wasn’t surprised. It just wasn’t his thing—especially not when Georgia was in the room; he only had eyes for her.

“Hey there, honey,” I sweet-talked as I pulled Cass into my arms and tightened my hold. Her chest pushed deliciously against the bottom of mine, and her hands shot up to grab me by my belt. The tips of her fingers snuck under my shirt and grazed skin. I held back a shiver.

“Why do I spend most of my time plotting ways to kill you when we’re apart, and then hug you when I see you?”

Hopefully because you’re falling in love with me.

“My good looks and charm?” I joked.

She didn’t answer, though, her eyes holding mine contemplatively until someone knocked into her from behind. We both swayed from the force, but I at least kept her from hitting the ground. She stepped away from me and our bubble after she gathered herself. I kept a hand at her elbow until I knew she was safely balanced back on her sickeningly hot heels.

Goddamn, her legs go on forever.

“Whoops, sorry,” the clumsy woman apologized, putting a flirty hand to my arm and smiling.

I excused her politely but kept my face neutral. Cassie’s eyes, however, became significantly smaller.

“I’m Jennifer,” the intruder offered.

I stuck out my hand in an effort not to be rude. “Thatch.”

“Oh, wow. That’s a fantastic name.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing when Cassie’s face took on the lethal edge of an assassin.

“It really is a great name, honey,” Cassie emphasized before reaching around and brazenly giving my cock a squeeze. “He’s got a monster—”

“Cass!” I shouted, startled.

“What?” she asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Tucking her back snug to my chest, I put my hand over her mouth.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jennifer. My girlfriend and I both think so.”

“Where’s Phil?” Cassie asked with a smirk as Jennifer mouthed a horrified “O-kay” and walked away.

“At home with the sitter.”