Their Best Friend

The Plan

Sammi POV

“Tomorrow, about half nine, is that okay?” He looks across at me, and I nod.

“That’s great, thank you.” As long as the guys are gone, that’s all that matters. They don’t ever go into my room, so they won’t find out what I’ve done. Although they can’t complain, I’m sure I could say it’s used for exercise.

I talk to him on the drive back and find myself relaxing—that is, until we stop at the house, and he stares at me. His eyes come to me questioningly, and I hate that. Just because I live in a large house doesn’t mean I’m rich.

“It’s technically not mine,” I laugh, and he looks at me like he thinks I’m talking s**t. I’m not.

“Can I come in, and you explain it?” he asks while looking at me. I’m not sure. Grabbing out my phone, I flick through the cameras. I can’t see their cars in the garage,, so they aren’t home, which is crazy as it’s nearly four.

“Sure, for a bit,” I smile and get out, hearing him follow me. Unlocking the door, I walk in and into the kitchen. “Drink?”

“Coffee, please,” he replies while leaning over the kitchen side and watching me. I make him a coffee and grab myself a bottle of water. “So, you’re married?” He waits, and I laugh.

“No!” What the hell?

“Sorry, it’s just…certain things in this house scream men.”

I can understand that. “No, this is or was my parent’s house. When they died, I lived here with my brothers.”

He smiles and relaxes. “So, why are you working?”

My eyes roll. “I get it. People think that because my family has money, I shouldn’t work; I don’t need to work to live. My brothers want me involved in the family business, but I don’t want to be tied to my family; it feels like a form of control.”

“I can understand that. You want something for yourself; otherwise, you will feel like you have never achieved anything.”

He’s not wrong. “Exactly. Sure, I can make a difference in the family business, but it won’t be something I made for myself.” Which is what I want. Something I can show people and say, ‘I created this.’

“So, the real reason you’re working outside this city?” He tilts his head, and I sigh.

“My brothers don’t agree with club work, but then again, they only agree with me working with the family, so I figured if it’s not in the city, they can’t complain.” I laugh, and he joins in.

“So, no husband?” he asks, and my head shakes. “And no boyfriend?” He steps closer and my head shakes. “Then I won’t have an angry man chasing me for doing this, will I?” His words end, and he kisses me. His arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me closer to him. I lose myself in the kiss, and before I know it, he’s stepping back.

“Good night, Doll; I’ll see you tomorrow,” he winks and turns, walking out.

Shit, he’s my boss! A hot boss, but still my boss. Standing, I consider what just happened. He kissed me, then left like it was nothing. He didn’t try to get more; he kissed me and said goodnight. Which, I’m guessing, means he likes me. So, Jodie wasn’t lying, but dating him makes work complicated.

“Sammi?”

My head snapped up, and I saw my brothers and Grayson. “You’re home late,” I mutter.

“We had an issue to resolve. Why are you standing there staring at a cup?” Zade laughs and sits down.

“Coffee?” Grayson looks at me. “You don’t drink coffee.”

Shit. Everyone looks at me now; thank you, Grayson! I practically f*****g growl at him.

“Who was here?” Joel asks, and I fight to think of someone.

“Jodie, she brought me home. I offered her a coffee before she drove back. I need to get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow morning, right?” I look at them.

“No, because we’re out, you know that.” Zade chuckles, and I act forgetful.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot.” I shrug and walk off. At least it’s confirmed they are gone tomorrow.

I don’t sleep well; I keep replaying the kiss over, not in a way to enjoy it, but because something feels missing. My mind keeps going to Grayson, of all people, the one person I hate. It makes absolutely no sense at all. After showing up and getting dressed, I cleaned around my room a bit. It’s already clean, but I want to ensure it’s extra clean.

Walking down, I grab breakfast. The guys are sitting and talking at the table. It’s only eight, but I’m eager for them to leave before Jake arrives, although he’s not coming for over an hour.

“What are your plans for today, kiddo?” Joel looks at me.

“Playing grownup rather than being it,” Grayson laughs, and I launch the toast at his head.

“f**k you,” asshole. He sits laughing like it’s amusing, but it’s not. At all.

“Stop picking on her guys.” Zade nudges Grayson.

“I’m going to meet the women from work again,” I shrug slightly.

“Again? You’ve basically made work your life.” Jax sits confused.

“They are good friends,” I mutter.

“You have friends here.” Zade stares at me in confusion.

“Exactly, here. Close to you guys. New friends nowhere near here means you can’t f**k them,” I snap, and they all laugh except for Grayson. He looks at me like he’s figured something out.

“Where do you work again?” Grayson asks, and I groan. “She said her new friends don’t live near here, so they live near work, which isn’t close?”

“Shut up, you d**k!” I shout and he laughs.

“And she proved my point.” He sits laughing like it’s amusing. It isn’t at all.

“So you’re not working in the city?” Zade stares at me in shock. His phone beeps, and he stands. “We’re talking about this after I finish work. Answer your phone.” He walks out, and I stay glaring at Grayson.

“I need to get something from my room.” Grayson walks out, and I stand here mentally, shouting at myself for screwing up.

“Well?” Joel looks at me.

“Does it matter?” It shouldn’t.

“Yes, because not only are you working in a club, but not even in this city. Zade is right; we’ll talk about it when we get back,” he stands and walks out, the others following him. At least they have left now. Going back to my room, I get changed out of the leggings and loose top. Putting on some shorts, a nice top, and heels, I walk back down. It’s nine, so I’ve still got half an hour.

“What’s with the change in style?”

I spin and see Grayson. Why is he still here?

“I-I” What the hell do I say?

“I...What?” He steps closer and smirks. “Did you think this would work?” His eyes scan my body. “That I’m that weak I wouldn’t be able to resist you basically f*****g naked?”

Wait, he thinks I got changed for him? I laugh, and he looks at me in confusion, which makes me laugh even more. “You really are crazy, aren’t you? To think I got changed for you?” I laugh more, and he steps towards me with one large stride. His arm hooks around my waist, and I freeze.

“Then who would you get changed for?” he whispers into my ear. My body shakes, and I feel his fingers stroke along my leg.

“It’s what I plan to wear tonight for work; now, if you don’t mind, you’re in my personal space.” I try to move back, but he grips me harder, pulling me flush against him.

“You want me in your personal space, Sammi, admit it.” His words are low, and my head shakes. “You enjoyed me being in your space the other day, with my head between your thighs, right?” He bites against my neck, and I moan.

My head shakes slightly.

“You do. I bet if I lifted you onto the side now, pulled down those shorts and pushed your thighs open, you wouldn’t stop me,” he moves, pinning me against the side. “Say you want me to Sammi. If you say it, I’ll do it.”

God, I’m weak; I accept I am. “Please,” I whisper, praying he agrees.

“I thought you didn’t like me in your personal space? That would be getting into it.” His words tease, and I moan.

“I was lying, okay? Please.” I feel his lips brush against my neck, his fingers unfastening the buttons on my shorts.

He chuckles and steps back. “I just wanted to remind you that you did want me close to your Sammi; it won’t happen, though.”

I swing and hit him. “f**k off! Seriously, I don’t know what is going on in your little childish head, Gray, but if you look at me that way again, I’m telling my brothers.” Pushing past him, I walk away.

“Sammi.”

Ignoring him, I keep walking upstairs.

“Sammi, please, I’m sorry. Okay, I’m f*****g sorry!”

“Oh, you thought I wanted you?” I laugh and decide to twist his whole game around on him. Stepping closer, I get into his face. “I was letting you think I would agree. Showing you what you could have, if you were allowed it. You’re not though, because I’m already dating someone else.” Turning, I walk into my room and leave him no time to respond.

After about ten seconds, I hear him stomping down the stairs followed by the door slamming.