1 Chapter 1: The Shady Pub's Secrets

“Saz. Please. Don’t stop.”

The humid air wraps around the back of my collar as I punch JJ in the arm. He stops making fake kissing noises long enough to take a swing at me. “Yeah. Hit me harder,” he yells in that high-pitched tone.

“Will you two quit it?” Kyle adjusts his sunglasses and rakes his fingers through his blonde-tipped hair. “People are starting to stare.”

“It’s Miami, Kyle,” I laugh, locking JJ into a headlock. “You see crazier sh*t before breakfast.”

“Well, I don’t know how you deal with wearing this every day.” Ollie walks up beside me and yanks at his suit collar, freeing his tie. “This place is too hot for this kind of b*llsh*t.”

“Yeah.” JJ squirms out of my grasp as we make it to the corner. “How dare you make us wear suits on our last day of vacation?”

I walk ahead and shrug, stepping off the sidewalk. "Suits are standard-issue at Ocean Tech. It's a small price to pay for getting to see my new office. Don’t you agree?"

JJ runs up next to me and jumps to wrap an arm around my shoulders, dragging me down with his unnatural strength. He dramatically waves his hand in front of us as he holds me hostage. "Mr. Fairweather. Miami's Bayside Billionaire. Heir to the throne of Ocean Tech and that sweet juicy peach, Zelia Riviera. I can see the headlines now."

"Chill man." I shake him off me and laugh as we make it across the street.

The setting sunlight winks at us through the tall buildings of downtown Miami. A few girls in colorful tank tops and short shorts walk past.

“Hey, beautiful. Wanna come and hang out with us?” Ollie hollers, blowing kisses.

Kyle smacks him in the back of the head. “Don’t be rude.”

“How is that rude? She’s a fuckin’ bombshell. I’m acknowledging beauty here, Kyle.”

It almost feels like the old days. The four of us walking after class to the frat house go get sh*t-faced on the supply Kyle would snag from his rich old man. No worries. No problems. Just booze and b*tches. As we cross the street towards the slanted neon sign reading ‘The Shady Pub,’ I'm reminded of how far away those days actually are. And how much has changed. How much I’ve changed.

JJ grabs the door and swings it open, marching inside with confidence. "A grand party of four has arrived," he bellows.

A few people look back at us and I file in last, hoping not to be associated with this loudmouth. Not the worst place I've been to, but certainly a downgrade. Sticky bar tops and scraped floors are a far cry from what I've been accustomed to these past three years. The smell of sweat and grease makes me want to gag, but I know if I say a word then the guys will never let me live it down. Too white-collar for a bar? I can already hear it now.

A pretty brunette flirts with Ollie and I can't help but sneak a peek at those tanned B cups bursting out of the front of her shirt. One of the perks of living in Miami is that the girls never wear much. I wonder what other treasures they have hiding in here? No harm in taking another look at this place to find out.

My mouth is suddenly dry as I lock eyes with a brown-eyed beauty tucked away by the serving window. Holy shit. It’s her. No, it can’t be. Her hair is a different color and her face looks more angular than I remember. But those eyes…

“Hey, earth to Saz.” Kyle nudges me.

I notice the hostess is leading JJ and Ollie away, her skirt barely covering the curves of her a**. She might as well be leading them by their dicks the way they walk behind her. I make use of my long legs and catch up in a few steps, doing my best to not look at the mysterious black-haired beauty as we pass. My heart beats like I just ran here. Must be all the grease in the air. I sit down and get a final glimpse of the hostess’s a** before she disappears down the ramp back to her station.

JJ nudges me in the arm. “Please tell me you come to this bar every day.”

I grip my menu and shrug with a smile. “When you live in Miami, every place has girls that look like this.”

“Another one's coming this way.” JJ rakes his eyes down her body without shame.

I don't blame him. A busty blonde makes her way up the ramp towards us, the tips of her nipples poking through the fabric of her black tank top. She’s the star of every man's wet dream and my pants get a bit snug as she leans in front of us to take our order. I can already feel that sweet nipple around my tongue as my fingers trail up those thick thighs and…

“And for you, handsome?” she eyes me, pen ready to jot down my order.

“Um,” I stutter, causing a round of snickers from the guys. “I’ll take a brandy.”

She nods, her t*ts jiggling as she jots down my order. “Coming right up. I’ll come back in a bit for the rest.”

I shove my face into my menu and try to make sense of the hieroglyphics next to a picture of a cheeseburger. Focus. Calm down. You’re better than this, Fairweather. You’re no longer a college playboy. You’re a billionaire who just landed a really great opportunity to change this city. Maybe even the world if things go really well. Things are different now.

“Look who's all flustered,” Ollie laughs. “What happened to the frat king of p*ssy?”

“Lighten up.” Kyle leans back in his chair. “He’s probably a bit rusty after selling his soul to Zelia.”

“I wouldn’t mind that deal,” JJ nudges me. “Tell us, Saz. Is she still as loud as we remember?”

I look up from my menu, the light conversation washing away the lustful thoughts from my mind.

A night with the guys is something I’ve been looking forward to for weeks. What was I so nervous about? I guess I really do have to get out more often.

I open my mouth to join in the conversation and a wisp of black hair comes into view. The softest lips press down against mine and a small hand pushes hard into my chest. It’s like the world suddenly falls away and all that exists is her touch. The sweet scent of chocolate hangs in the air and I fight the urge to grab her waist and bring her close to me. I don’t even know where she came from or who she is. All too soon her lips leave mine and I’m left staring at brown eyes so familiar, they might as well be home.

Her hand grips the edge of the table. "Sir, I am so sorry about that."

I swallow hard and once again resist the urge to bring her close. No need to apologize my dear. No reason at all.