Table 10: Part 2: A Novella Series Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 10

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  About the Authors

  Other Books by Jiffy Kate

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  About the Authors

  Other Books by Jiffy Kate

  Table 10

  Part 2

  Jiffy Kate

  Copyright © 2017 Jiffy Kate

  Published by Enchanted Publications

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors’ imaginations and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance of actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Enchanted Publications

  www.enchantedpublications.com

  [email protected].

  Visit the author’s website at www.jiffykate.com

  Edited by: Nichole Strauss

  www.insighteditingservices.com

  Cover Design and Interior Formatting by:

  www.uplifting-designs.com

  Cover images by: Depositphotos.com (stock photo)

  First Edition: April 2017

  Chapter 1

  Nathan’s POV

  When I feel something—someone—shift at my side, I startle awake with my heart thumping in my chest, until I remember who’s here. Kadi. Kadance Davis. The girl who’s had me completely turned upside down over the past month.

  Having her in my bed last night—under me, over me—is something I’ve fantasized about since she walked up to my table at the diner and offered me a piece of the most amazing pie I’d ever eaten.

  I’d seen her there over the past few months since I started coming in for breakfast before going to the office. I used to meet my father for coffee, but he’s been in our New York City office for the past few months. And his stuffy choice in restaurants wasn’t my vibe. So, I found my own. And with it, I found her.

  I just watched her for the first couple of months, never letting myself any closer than a brush of my arm as I was walking out, or an inhale of her sweet scent as she passed by. She became the cherry on top of my pie each morning.

  But the morning she walked up to my table, and I saw her, really saw her—the struggle in her demeanor, the beautiful flecks of gold in her brown eyes, the soft smile on her lips when she’s embarrassed or feeling flustered—I couldn’t stay away. She reeled me in when she told me she made the pies I’ve come to love.

  At first, it was purely physical. Everything about her was something I wanted. Soft curves, long brown hair, deep brown eyes, freckles sprinkled across her nose. She wasn’t like the women I came in contact with on a daily basis. Those women are made of money and perfectly positioned clothes and hair. They’re not real. They’re whatever they think you want them to be.

  But Kadi.

  She’s so real, never trying to be more than she is. And what she is is imperfect, honest, hardworking, beautiful.

  I’ve never felt about anyone like I do about her. I’ve been trying to reconcile those feelings, asking myself why. Why this girl? Is it purely because she reminds me so much of my younger self? Is that enough? And I’ve been left wondering that if I had her once, would that be enough? Would she lose her appeal once I’d had her in my bed? Because that’s usually what happens.

  There have been women I’ve been enamored with, those I’ve found attractive. But once I’ve fucked them, the appeal almost instantly fades. Maybe it’s because in the moment of ecstasy, I realize there’s nothing beyond the facade. They’re nothing like what they portray themselves to be. They’re just pretty faces with enough money to convince you they’re something more.

  These experiences have led me to a series of empty relationships. Out of loyalty, I’ve stuck with a few of them, tried to make it into more than it was. Part of that was to please my mother who doesn’t want me to end up a single, lonely bachelor, like my Uncle Teddy—my father’s business partner and brother. She’s always told me she feels like he’s rubbed off on me too much. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes of life from the moment my parents adopted me. I’ve always looked up to him and wanted to be like him. But the way he trades out women like cars has never been something I’ve strived for. It’s just happened that way. I’ve never felt strongly enough about one to keep them around for long.

  When Kadi stirs again, I instinctively pull her into me, wrapping my arms around her. I can tell by the way she stiffens that she’s probably wondering where she’s at or possibly regretting her decisions. I hope it’s not the later. Because having her was one of the best things I’ve experienced, in a long time, if not ever.

  “Shhhh,” I whisper into her hair. “Go back to sleep. I have an alarm set for three thirty.”

  I know she has to be at work. Although, I hate she has to leave my bed and especially at such an ungodly hour. However, I also know she’d fight me if I tried to talk her into staying here so, I decide to pick my battles, like the fact I want her back here in my bed tonight. I won’t let her sleep at that apartment until the locks are changed. And even then, it’ll be hard to let her go back there. Especially now that I know how good she feels pressed against my body.

  She slowly relaxes and without a word, her breaths even out and she drifts back to sleep.

  Pulling her even closer, I press my nose into her hair and breathe deeply, loving the scent that infiltrates my head—her, me … us.

  Table 10

  “You don’t have to take me to work.”

  Kadi is standing awkwardly at the kitchen counter, adjusting the skirt of her work uniform. I’ve never told her, but there’s something about that uniform that turns me the fuck on. It might just be her in it, but the thoughts I’ve had of what I’d like to do to her in that blue skirt are verging on porn video status—Kadi against a wall, Kadi splayed out on a table, Kadi on the counter.

  I stalk over to her, thinking about following through on that last thought.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks, backing up a step until she’s flush against the counter.

  “I want to take you to work. You’re not walking alone, not on my watch.”

  She squares her shoulders and tries to block my advance, but the slight tilt of her head and the way she licks her bottom lips, lets me know that she’s having conflicting feelings—like part of her wants to give in and part of her doesn’t. And for some twisted reason, it turns me on. Everything about Kadi Davis turns me on—even her name. I’ve rolled that name around in my head since she called my office. I don’t know why, but knowing her last name made her even more real to me. And it only made me want her more.

  “And I’ll be there to pick you up when your shift is over.”

  “I—I’ll get my key issue fixed today. I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re still not walking home alone.”
>
  “I can ride the bus.”

  My eyes lock on hers and I cage her in with my arms on either side of her, braced against the counter. “I’ll pick you up.”

  It’s not an option. And, she doesn’t know it yet, but she’s coming home with me. Even with the locks changed. I’m not done with her. I haven’t had my fill. The appeal isn’t fading. It’s only getting stronger.

  Kadi eyes me warily, obviously warring with herself over whether or not she’s going to agree with me. Normally, the opposition would drive me insane. I like when people agree with me. But with her, the challenge ignites something inside me. I like arguing with her. I like the fire in her eyes. However, I also really like winning, and I refuse to lose this battle.

  “Thank you for having my uniform laundered,” she says, changing the subject. The light blush that floods her cheeks is gorgeous. It highlights the freckles I love so much and makes me want to take her back to my bed. Instead, I cup her face and rub my thumb across her soft skin.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.” She looks down and I know the favors I do make her uncomfortable, but I can’t help myself. Every cell in my body screams for me to protect her, take care of her. If I did everything I’d like to do for her, she’d probably run for the hills. The things she feels indebted to me over are nothing, drops in the bucket. I know they feel big to her. I’m not so far removed from my past that I don’t remember what it was like to not know what the next day would hold. I remember the feeling of free falling through life, hoping you land safely at the bottom, but not expecting any miracles.

  “You couldn’t go to work in my t-shirt and sweats,” I tell her, brushing my lips against her jaw, loving the way she feels against me. “Although, the idea does make me hard.”

  “I—uh …”

  “What is it, Kadi?” I know what I’m doing to her. I know it’s driving her crazy, hopefully making her forget her name. That’s my intention. If I’m lucky, she’ll forget she needs to be at work in fifteen minutes.

  “Uh,” she tries to continue, but I don’t let up. My free hand grips her waist and pulls her flush against me, letting her feel what she’s doing to me.

  I drag my mouth from her delectable neck up to her lips, hovering over them, teasing.

  “Oh, God,” she moans as her body softens in my hold, giving into my wordless demands. But not now.

  I need her to remember how good this feels.

  I want her to want to come back.

  I want her to want me as much as I want her.

  Kissing her soundly, I force myself to end it before I lose control and my mind. When I pull back, her eyes are still closed and I smile. She’s so damn beautiful. No make-up, no fuss. She was ready in ten minutes. And yet she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Fuck.

  “You’re gonna be late for work,” I tell her, reaching behind her to grab my keys, abruptly ending our little game of cat and mouse.

  “What?” she asks dreamily, slowly opening her eyes to look at me.

  “Work.”

  “Right.” Her big brown eyes grow larger as she remembers. “Work.” A quick laugh escapes her, and she smooths back her braided hair.

  “Ready?” I ask, reaching for her hand.

  She looks down at my outstretched hand, and I watch as a small smile creeps onto her face before she finally takes it and follows me out the door.

  Table 10

  “Will I see you for breakfast?” she asks, sticking her head back inside my car.

  “Of course. Where else can I get your pie?” I wink and she blushes, shaking her head.

  “Thank you.” She gives me another smile. “For everything.”

  “You’re welcome. For everything.”

  I sit and watch her walk into the diner. It’s hard for me to drive away. Part of me wants to follow her inside, watch her bake, and make sure no bad guys try to come and steal anything from her. But instead, I head to my office.

  I’ve never been to work this early, but I figure it’ll give me a jump start on the day. And it’s an hour ahead in New York, where my dad is. And he’s a fucking old person, who wakes before dawn. So, I’ll give him a call and see how things are going there.

  When I get to my office on the fourteenth floor, I walk out to the reception area and leave a note for Nancy, letting her know I’m here. I don’t want to give her a heart attack. She’s always the first person here, and often, the last one to leave. If she comes up and finds anything out of place, she’ll think we’ve had a break-in.

  Heading down to the break room, I flip on a few lights and go about making a pot of coffee. My name might be on the side of the building, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around a kitchen. But it does take me a lot longer than Nancy to make a cup of coffee.

  I need to give her a raise.

  With coffee in hand and my computer fired up, I ring my dad’s cell.

  “Nathan?” my dad says with a start to his voice. “Everything alright, son?”

  “Yeah, everything’s great. And good morning to you.”

  “Good morning,” he says with a chuckle. “What’s got you up and at ‘em so early?”

  “Oh, just figured I’d come in a little early and give you a call.”

  “Something we need to discuss?”

  “Nothing specific. Just thought you could fill me in on New York and everything going on there without all the interruptions we get during the day.”

  “Hmmm,” he says, obviously not believing me that there’s nothing going on. And I guess he’d be right. There is definitely something going on, but it has nothing to do with Hendricks Holdings. “Well, the meetings have been going well. I’ll know more after my conference call with Mr. Jennings this afternoon. I’m hoping after another few weeks, I should be able to head back home and leave these people to it. Like everything else, we should have another well-oiled machine by the end of the year.”

  Hendricks Holdings is a proprietary investment company with a wide range of interests. My father and Uncle Teddy started out by investing in oil companies back in the 80’s. My grandfather, adopted grandfather, was an oil man who owned a small, self-owned and operated company that drilled half of the great state of Texas.

  After I graduated college, they brought me on to expand their horizons. New blood, they said. So, since I’ve come on board, I’ve acquired some small real estate development companies across the state. Over 75% of our investments are for low-income housing. Originally, my Uncle Teddy was completely against the proposal, but after much convincing and a hard push from my father, we obtained our first company six years ago. And I’m proud to say that not only have I been able to turn a profit for Hendricks Holdings, but I’ve also been able to open up housing to thousands of people who’d otherwise be out on the streets. It makes me feel good to help people who are going through similar things I went through as a kid.

  “Well, that sounds good. Do you think they’ll agree to the stock price we stated in the proposition?”

  “We’re getting closer.” I hear a paper rustle and I can almost see him sitting at a desk in his hotel room, paper in one hand, phone in the other. My father is a creature of habit. My first memory of him was walking downstairs the morning after my adoption was finalized and walking in on him sitting at the kitchen table. I remember still feeling apprehensive about approaching him. He was so powerful and serious, or so I thought. But what I’ve learned in the last twenty-two years is that he’s also a fun guy who loves his family more than anything. “How’s the big charity event?”

  I sigh, leaning back in my chair and looking out the window as the sky begins to fade from black to a deep orange. “I think we’re ready. We’ve had a record 85% of past donors who’ve sent their donations in ahead of time. Mom has been helping me. She’s planning a ladies’ tea for the morning of the gala, so I think it’ll be a huge success.”

  “That’s great, Nate. Your mom told me about the tea. Sh
e’s excited to help out and put her PR skills to work for something that’ll benefit your charity. Hopefully, I’ll be home for the big event.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I’m proud of you, son.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  He might require a lot out of me, never letting me take the easy road, but he’s never failed to express how proud he is of me. The first time he ever told me was the first time I’d ever heard those words in my whole life and it changed me. I felt proud of myself and I wanted to recreate that feeling over and over. It pushed me to be the best at everything I set out to do.

  It made me somewhat of a perfectionist.

  My mother would tell you that’s my only flaw.

  But I wouldn’t have half of the accomplishments I do without that inward push.

  Do more.

  Be more.

  It’s Gregory Hendricks’ motto. And the day he and my mother adopted me, it became mine too.

  Chapter 2

  Parking my car in front of the diner, I wait for Kadi’s shift to end. I don’t want her to think I’m stalking her or anything. I can be patient. I can try, anyway.

  I’m a little early, so I allow myself to think back on breakfast. Even though I’d dropped her off only a couple of hours earlier, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to see her again and taste her pie.

  She brought me a slice of peach pie with a side of cream and the double entendres were almost too much for me to handle. Kadi blushed every time I sucked a peach slice into my mouth with a moan. The best part was when I caught her staring at my mouth as I licked leftover cream from my fingers. Her eyes were glazed over and her chest rose with every deep breath she took. She was fucking beautiful. I wanted to take her right then and there, other patrons be dammed, but I remained in control somehow. Of course, I’ve had a raging hard on all day but I’m hopeful it’ll get taken care of multiple times tonight.

  A flash of blue uniform from my peripheral vision pulls me out of my memories and I adjust myself in my pants. She has to know how much I want her but that doesn’t mean my hard cock should be the first thing she sees when she opens the car door. Talk about creepy.