Justice Falling (Falling #3)(20)
“Yeah, come on. I’ll introduce you to Aspen Reynolds.”
“The Aspen Reynolds. As in AIR Bright owner, Bright Magazine owner, pretty much owner of the stock market?”
I grinned and gestured to cross. “That’s the one.”
“They call her the “Octo*” at the stock exchange because she has her hands in so many pies. And the ‘*’ part.” He made a gesture of a pyramid with both hands and licked his lips. “I hear she looks like a f*cking model, and every man on the exchange wants a piece.”
I stopped in my tracks to stare in horror. A cab squealed past me, ruffling my suit coat with the near close call. Ty pulled me out of the way in the nick of time. Bugger!
“Shite. Don’t ever let her husband hear you say anything like that. He’s a big guy, southerner, and old-fashioned. He’d beat the living hell out of you.”
“Duly noted. I think I can hold my own with the ladies and their husbands.” Ty waggled his eyes with a disgusting grin.
It was times like these that I wondered how we’d been friends the past few years. Sure, we both treated women like something to get our jollies off on, but at least I respected them enough to not talk about them after. And…I never dated married women. He dated them even when he was married himself. It was the exact reason why he was divorced and paying a hefty alimony payment every month.
As we walked closer to the restaurant, I could hear Camille’s lilting laughter. Christ it did things to me. Sent me from grumpy to glorious in a few seconds. Aspen looked up and recognized me. I waved and she stood, her pregnant belly protruding proudly.
“Wow, Aspen. You’ve gotten even more beautiful since the last time I saw you.”
“Smooth, real smooth, Nate. Come join us. I believe we know someone else in common.” She winked and nodded her head toward Camille. I grinned, looking over at my beautiful girl. Only she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were on my colleague, Ty. The wide-eyed, deer in the headlights look she had across her face shook me to my core. Did they know each other?
“Camille, lovely to see you.” She shook her head and then closed her eyes, blinking a couple times. “Are you okay, Precious?” Without a second thought, I hopped over the small iron fence, and crouched down to clasp her hands. They were clammy and cold. “What’s the matter?”
She looked at me, her eyes frightened. It was the same look she’d given me in the restaurant on our date. As quickly as the look came, she shook her head, looked over my shoulder at Ty, winced, then blew out a breath. “I, uh, I’m fine. Sorry.”
I pulled up a chair, and handed her the glass of water in front of her. “Here, love, take this.” She took a sip, but her gaze wasn’t focused on me, the glass, or our friends. It was locked on Ty. Jealousy roared up my spine and out each limb, tightening, clawing at my senses, forcing out the beast in me.
“Have a seat?” Aspen gestured to the open space between me and her.
“Thank you. I’m Tyler Thornton, a friend of Nate’s.”
We both sat and Camille looked the other way, focusing on anything but me and my friend. I slid my hand into hers, and she held it in a vice grip. Something was wrong. The tightness of her jaw, the ramrod straight spine said this was not the place to discuss it. With long strokes, I soothed her hand until she loosened her grip. The waiter arrived and Ty and I ordered. Camille sat silent.
“So, Camille, this is my best mate, Tyler Thornton.” She looked at Ty, something akin to hurt slashed across her gaze. She took a deep breath and held out her hand. It visibly shook until Tyler extended his own and clasped it.
“I believe we’ve met. Though it’s been a few years, hasn’t it, sweetness?” Ty’s endearment, tone and the way he held her hand as she tried to pull it away spoke volumes. My inner beast drew its claws. I tightened my hand into a fist.
“Yes, it has.” She looked away.
“So, Cami, I see you’re no longer a waitress.” His blue eyes undressed her, scanning her form from tip to toe. She wore the standard black pencil skirt and a fitted green shirt that brought out her eyes. It took every ounce of respect for my friendship with him not to react like a Neanderthal, thump my chest and swing her over my shoulder and carry her off to my bedroom where I could stake my claim officially.
“Ty,” I warned. “This is a friend of mine. A very…close friend.” I slid an arm around her shoulders insinuating possession. I was pleasantly surprised when she snuggled into my side. It was the first time she’d willingly pressed closer to me. It felt beyond right. It was downright perfect.
“Just making polite conversation,” he said glancing at my hold on Camille. I wanted to smash the corresponding smirk of his face with my fist.
The conversation changed. Ty dominated the discussion, ranting on about a couple of companies Aspen was looking into purchasing. Normally I would have paid close attention. As Aspen’s lawyer, I made sure she made sound legal decisions. Entering into a possible business venture typically called for my expertise. Unfortunately, I was in no shape to participate. My focus was diverted to a stunning brunette currently acting strangely.
Camille pushed her food around her plate. Sometimes she’d look up, gaze at Ty and bite her lip so hard I worried blood would appear. I wanted to sooth that ache, kiss away the pain she inflicted on her perfect pout. There was something between her and Ty, and I needed to find out what.