Bump and Run

BUMP AND RUN BRANSTON BANDITS #2 PIPER JAMES Copyright © 2023 by Microsoft Office User All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Created with Vellum For everyone too afraid to chase your dreams. May courage and success find you, always. CONTENTS 1. The One-Night Stand 2. This is Bad 3. It’s Only Indigestion 4. Come in, Cocksucker 5. That Wasn’t Awkward, at All 6. It’s Me 7. Date Night 8. That’s What Friends are For 9. It was Nothing 10. I Always Keep my Promises 11. Been There. Done That 12. There’s No Place I’d Rather Be 13. King of the Bump and Run 14. Give Me Everything You’ve Got 15. Friends with Benefits 16. A Hidden Agenda 17. Waiting for the Benefits 18. To be Continued 19. Wrapped Up in the Benefits 20. I’m Falling 21. Moxy 22. We Should do It 23. Not a Date 24. I’m an Idiot 25. Way to Ruin a Guy’s Grand Gesture Epilogue Bonus Epilogue The Turnover Want More? About the Author Also By Piper James 1 THE ONE-NIGHT STAND Roxy “Come on, Blake. You know it’s true.” I look over at one of the two occupied tables in my section as the voice rings out. The three men have been an entertaining bunch, breaking up the monotony of an unusually slow shift. The one with the darkest hair is pointing at the smiley one who’s been blatantly flirting with me all night––who I assume is Blake. The latter has his palms in the air as a shit-eating grin spreads across his face. My eyes dart to the other table I’ve been serving, an older couple who, as of yet, seem unbothered by the boisterous outbursts of the three men. Armstrong’s is known for its upscale clientele and serene setting, so if the couple starts to look irritated, I’m going to have to ask the men to keep it down. I look back at the trio. They’re all wearing high-quality suits, though one of them has a bit of dark ink peeking out from beneath his collar. I initially assumed they’re bankers. Or maybe even lawyers. Now, I’m not so sure. They don’t seem stiff and uptight enough to be bankers or lawyers, and all three of them are built like brick shithouses. Wide shoulders, thick arms, and thighs that bulge beneath the wool of their suits. Whatever they do for a living, they obviously never skip leg day. I walk over and stop beside their table. Blake’s eyes light up when he sees me, his grin turning downright seductive. “Do you need anything? Dessert? Another round of pale ales?” I ask. They finished their meals a while ago, and I’ve already cleared their plates. All three of them have been nursing their second beers, and the tatted one picks up his glass to drink the last swallow before answering my question. “I’m good,” he says, then looks at his friends. “Are you guys ready for the check?” “Yeah, I’m done,” the one who called out Blake says, finishing off his own drink. “I think I want to see the dessert menu,” Blake says, the purr in his voice undeniably erotic. “And that’s our cue to leave,” the second man says with a chuckle. “That means you’re picking up the tab, right?” Blake nods, but his gaze never strays from mine. Heat unfurls in my belly as my heart rate picks up. I blink and take a step back, telling him I’ll be right back with the dessert menu. I curse myself all the way to the host’s station. I’m usually much smoother than this when it comes to being hit on, but this guy is h-a-w-t and it’s been a minute since I’ve had any action in the man department. I pause, thinking back to the last time I got laid. I slept with one of the guests at my friend Hadley’s bed and breakfast, unbeknownst to her. She’d kill me if she knew I slipped into her place to bang one of her customers. Shit. That was over ten months ago. No wonder my game is off. Grabbing a dessert menu, I pass Blake’s two friends as they leave the restaurant. They nod at me in passing, not a trace of judgement on either of their faces at my obvious openness to their friend’s flirtation. Not that it would really matter to me, anyway, but it’s nice to not be looked at like some kind of floozy. Blake’s eyes heat as he watches me walk toward him. His fingers brush over mine lightly as I hand him the menu, and my breath hitches at the contact, making him smile wider. “What do you suggest?” he asks, not breaking eye contact to even glance at the menu in his hand. “The chocolate soufflé is decadent. Or if you prefer something fruity, we have a delicious panna cotta with raspberries.” “I’ll take the soufflé,” he says, the tip of his pink tongue darting out to wet his lips. “Good choice. I’ll go put in your order,” I say, holding out a hand for the menu he still hasn’t glanced at. He holds it toward me, but when I move to take it, he doesn’t release his grip on it. “Care to join me? I really shouldn’t eat the whole thing by myself.” “I can’t,” I breathe, the huskiness in his voice doing things to my libido. “I’m working.” “What time do you get off?” he asks, finally releasing the menu. “Ten.” Lifting his arm, he pulls back the sleeve of his jacket to reveal a silver, large-faced watch. “Only thirty minutes to go. Just tell the chef to take his or her time making it.” “I really can’t,” I say. “It’s against restaurant policy. I can