Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Overheated?
That’s her justification for taking off like a bat out of hell?
“And you weren’t going to tell anyone? Don’t you think your friends would have been concerned that you just dipped without a word?”
She stutters to a stop and stares at me. Emotion flickers across her face. “You’re right.” She fishes her phone out of the sparkly purse that matches her tiny excuse for a dress before firing off a text. Then she holds up the sleek rose gold device. “All taken care of. I sent a text to the group chat letting them know that I’m headed back to the hotel.”
Since she’s not going to address her reason for leaving the club, I decide to take the bull by the horns.
“Who was the guy?”
There’s a flash of panic in her golden eyes before it disappears. “What guy?”
“The one in the VIP lounge. The one you were staring at.” There’s a beat of uncomfortable silence before I add, “The one who was staring back like he knew you.”
Her teeth scrape across her lower lip as she glances away. “I have no idea.”
I tilt my head and study her under the neon flashing lights of the restaurants, casinos, and hotels. “Are you sure about that? Because the way you looked at each other says otherwise.”
Her brows pinch together as she fires off a question of her own. “Were you watching me?”
Sure, I could lie…
But what would be the point?
“Yeah, I was.”
Her eyes widen. “Why?”
I step closer, eating up the space between us before reaching out and stroking my fingers along the curve of her jaw. “I think that should be more than obvious.” When she remains silent, I add, “Don’t you?”
“Colby…”
She blinks as her face fills with indecision.
Instead of pushing for more, I allow my hand to fall away before slipping it around her waist and tugging her close. There’s something about her warm weight anchored against my body that settles everything rampaging within me.
“Come on, let’s head back to the hotel.”
“You don’t have to cut your night short. There are a ton of people out walking the streets. I’m perfectly safe.”
Like hell I’d let her walk back alone.
Maybe I don’t always act like a gentleman, but buried deep down, that’s exactly what I am.
In fact, my motto has always been ‘ladies first.’
And if that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what does.
I shrug. “I’m more than ready to call it a night.”
It’s a relief when her muscles loosen, and we resume walking in companionable silence.
For the first time in my life, I’m locked on one girl.
I assume that once we sleep together, my interest will wane, and I’ll be able to move on. A little voice inside my head wonders what will happen if that doesn’t turn out to be the case.
I quash that thought before it can burrow into my brain and cause irreparable damage.
Because there’s no way in hell that’s going to happen.
12
BRITT
Colby’s arm stays wrapped around me as we walk through the hotel and step inside the mirrored elevator before rising to the twenty-fifth floor. There’s something comforting about his presence and the way he holds me anchored against him as if we’ve been doing this for years.
I have to continually remind myself that this guy is a player.
This is what he does.
He charms girls into bed.
And they’re thrilled with the opportunity. From everything I’ve heard, they’re just as cheerful in the morning when he boots their asses to the curb. Now that he’s focused solely on me, I understand just how heady his full attention can be.
What doesn’t make sense is that I’ve dealt with my fair share of slick dudes and am pretty good at figuring out what’s hidden beneath the shiny exterior. It was never a problem walking away without a second glance.
But Colby is proving himself to be different.
The woodsy scent of his aftershave slyly weaves around me, making it impossible to keep him at a firm distance. By the time he swipes the keycard against the lock, I realize exactly how tonight will play out. After spotting Axel at the club, I’m out of sorts and not thinking clearly. My life at Western feels like a sandcastle that will crumble with the first wave, and that’s terrifying.
Silence fills the suite as he flicks on the lights and a warm glow illuminates the space. I gravitate to the floor-to-ceiling windows and the bright lights of the city that are spread out below us. The Strip is filled with so many iconic resorts and casinos that glitter against the velvety darkness.
It’s gaudy and over the top.
But also magical.
I don’t realize that Colby has snuck up behind me until his hands settle on my bare shoulders and he draws me against the solid strength of his chest.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I whisper.
“Gorgeous.”
His hand rises to sweep my hair away from the side of my face before the tip of his nose drifts along the curve of my cheek. A shiver of desire dances down the length of my spine as his warm breath ghosts across my flesh. When his fingers bite into my bare skin, a sharp punch of arousal settles low in my belly.