One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(35)

Laughing hard, I shook my head as we stood from the table. “Kiki, you are diabolical.”

Slinging her purse over her arm, she arched a single brow. “I know.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders as we left the restaurant. “I’m so glad we’re doing this tonight. I don’t have many friends. Cade is my closest, but I’ve always felt this connection with you too. I’m glad we’re finally acting on it.”

She threw an arm around my waist and squeezed. “Me too.”

I was also ecstatic someone besides Cade and me knew about us. And approved.



The last time Kiki and I had arrived at Loading Zone with his sisters, the doorman readily identified them and lifted the rope, granting us immediate access. This time, Kiki had to cajole the doorman to let us in. I decided there was some kind of game going on between them, him looking all powerful and skeptical of her club worthiness, her flashing a flirtatious smile while pulling her shoulders back and pushing her chest out.

“Come on, Rafael. You know I’m Cade’s sister.”

He shook his head. “I know nothing of the sort. Cade’s sisters are all beautiful and look like him. You’re breathtaking but look nothing like my boss.”

Kiki blushed, then furrowed her brow. “Rafael, if you don’t let us in right now, I’ll tell Cade you gave us a hard time.”

Rafael shrugged his shoulders. “Do what you feel you need to. Having you out here with me will be worth the reprimand.” He winked at her.

She smirked and crossed her arms, pushing her breasts into some eye-popping cleavage that nearly spilled out of her low-cut dress.

Yeah, Rafael’s eyes popped wide open, all right.

While he stood there stunned frozen, Kiki grabbed my hand, and we strolled right past him into the bar entrance. She winked back at him. “G’night Rafael.”

Music pounded into the air with a low bass vibration that rattled my bones. A barrage of scents hit my nose, from sweet perfumes and the sharp bite of alcohol to the musk of sweat. And at just after 10:00 p.m., the party was only revving up for the night.

As we wound our way through the dancing crowd, I let Kiki lead the way. When I glanced over to the bar area where Cade had worked before, I caught sight of him. He moved in a blur of motion, filling drinks, nodding to customers, loading trays when waitresses placed them on their designated section of counter on the far end.

Kiki tugged me down, shouting. “It’s packed early. Wonder if Darren’s here yet.”

I turned my head, shouting back at her ear. “Who’s Darren?”

“Their sex on a stick DJ.” She put her hand on her chest, closed her eyes, and opened her mouth as if she was moaning at the thought of him.

I laughed, my gaze flicking back to Cade. No other man did it for me like he did. His dark features were chiseled into focus while he worked. A black T-shirt stretched over flexing biceps and shoulders. I couldn’t see behind the bar, but I imagined dark-rinse jeans hugging his narrow hips and a tight ass I had often wanted to sink my teeth into.

“Hellooo…” Kiki waved her hand in front of my face. “Earth to Hannah. Want a drink?” She tilted her head toward where I’d been staring.

I blinked hard, wondering what my expression must’ve looked like while I’d imagined Cade’s ass.

“Oh, for f*ck’s sake. Let’s go say ‘hi’ before you end up moping around like a puppy dog.” She grabbed my arm, pulling me through the crowd toward Cade’s bar.

I laughed and let her lead me away.

We were practically on top of the bar by the time Cade glanced in our direction, his gaze locking onto mine. His expression froze for an instant, but then his face lit up with a broad smile.

I grinned, my heart jumping that he was happy with our unexpected arrival.

“Maestro! Kiki!” His gaze flicked between me and his sister. “What’re you doing here?”

“Girls’ night!” Kiki shouted. “Hook us up, bro. Whatcha got that you can serve us on the house?”

He gave her a stern look. “The family special: two drinks apiece, not a drop more.”

“Works for me.” She shrugged. “I figure I can get Darren to buy me another. We’ll have to find Hannah a sugar daddy for the night.” Kiki gave him a loaded smirk, only he had no idea she knew. Not yet.

Cade’s eyes darkened as he slid his gaze toward me. I shook my head, pointing at her.

His expression softened a fraction. “Okay. I know you like your drinks strong, Kiki. How about our new house margarita? You’ll like this, being such an organic naturalist. It’s made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar.”

Her eyes brightened. “Ooo, that does sound good. Is it blended?”

He scoffed. “No. And I’m not blending it. What a horrendous thing to do to a margarita. Rocks. Salt. Only way to drink it.”

Kiki rubbed her hands together. “Sounds fabulous.” She turned around, propping her elbows onto the bar, hips bouncing back and forth to a new song that came on as she scanned the crowd on the dance floor.

Cade leaned over the bar to me, lowering his head down. I did the same, meeting him in the middle, like we were conspiring together.

“How ’bout I give you a personal special?”

I smirked, knowing his naughty MO. “Oh, what’s that?”