Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I headed over to him, and he handed me the same mixed drink I’d enjoyed at the restaurant. I pretended not to be taken aback that, yet again, he’d been paying attention. “Thanks.” I took a long sip from the straw.
“Cheers,” he said and clinked his glass to mine.
“So what don’t you like about clubs?” I asked, focusing on the stage dancing.
“I…” He trailed off as if distracted by his own thoughts.
“C’mon. Brett never dragged you out to a club?”
“He loved being in public.” He stared out at the dance floor. “It should’ve been my first warning sign.”
I scratched my head in confusion. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “He partied hard, and toward the end, he was out practically every night.”
I frowned. “That must’ve sucked.”
“It did. But hey, don’t let me hold you up.” He motioned toward the dance floor. “I’m good for now. Go have fun.”
“What if I want to talk to you?”
“That’s not why you came here,” he pointed out, and he was right. “Besides, I’m fine people-watching and passing judgment on their outfit choices.”
“You do excel at that.” I looked around at the throng of bodies. “So many crop tops to rank in order of most awful.”
When our eyes met, his crinkled in a genuine way. “So get back out there.”
I met up with Tony and his friends again, but I could feel Rowan watching us, which unnerved me. I wasn’t the best dancer, but I liked to think I could hold my own.
When I next searched for him, I saw him talking with an older gentleman who was ruggedly handsome and probably more his style. I felt a searing burn in my chest that I couldn’t readily explain as I watched them converse way too easily.
What was wrong with me? I should be glad Rowan wasn’t bored.
I fanned myself, alerting Tony that I was sweaty and needed a break. When I sidled up to Rowan, I accidentally-on-purpose brushed his hip as I reached for my drink, and I felt him shiver. Damn. I hadn’t been expecting that reaction from a simple touch.
“Oh, I’m sorry, are you with someone?” the man asked him, looking me over.
Rowan hesitated only a moment before saying, “Yes, I am.” His hand encircled my lower back, sending pinpricks over my skin.
When the man excused himself, Rowan immediately dropped his hand, and I missed the warmth and surety of it. “Sorry about that.”
I shook my head and smiled. “We’re good at this role-playing thing, apparently.”
His cheeks colored.
“But that guy was really handsome. You weren’t interested?”
“I told you I don’t hook up.”
“Why not?”
“Too much hassle.”
“Seriously? Your blue balls must be legendary.”
“I really don’t need to explain myself to you.”
“No, you don’t.” Guess I should’ve been flattered that he even considered a one-off with me.
Rowan stepped behind me to let someone get by him to the bar, but the man’s elbow caught me in the gut. I stepped backward into Rowan’s chest and heard the faintness of his rough voice against my ear. It made me tremble. “Shae.”
Fucking hell, I so didn’t want to be attracted to this man or the way his voice sounded right then. I didn’t move, just stayed there, feeling the buzz of desire wash over my skin from our close contact.
“Don’t act like you don’t feel this attraction between us,” I said over my shoulder. “Just embrace it, for God’s sake.”
“I’m your boss. This is…not how I operate.”
“Then learn how to let someone make you feel good and then walk away.”
“But we’re not going to walk away,” he countered. “I’ll always see you in the morning at work.”
Only for another month or so.
“But you’re so good at ignoring me that you’ll do just fine.” There was more bite to my words than I’d intended.
“Isn’t that…?” His eyebrows scrunched together. “Isn’t that how you want it? Sex is fun. There’s nothing wrong with hooking up, yada yada?”
It was only a one-off. Nothing more. Wasn’t it?
“Yeah, of course. Only messing with you.”
Though sometimes I couldn’t help entertaining the idea of what it would be like to try for more. Or at least have more opportunities just like this.
I sighed as I stood motionless with his breaths against my nape and his hand searing the skin on my hip. I could feel his erection growing against my back, and I couldn’t help myself—I ground against him.
“Damn it, Shae. You are too sexy for your own good.” He stilled my hip. “But not in front of Tony. It’s not professional. None of this is. I’m…I need to take off.”
Before I could get my bearings or reason with him, he was walking toward the exit. Fuck. I stood there stunned a moment longer before I followed him.
I found him leaning against the brick wall outside the club, panting heavily and looking as unnerved as I felt. The cool air hitting my face felt good, so I sucked it in to rein in my pounding pulse.