Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Look at you. You’re beautiful with a killer body. Damn, that dress…”
She taps her foot and scoffs. “Please…”
“Do you really not see yourself the way I see you?” I cup her cheek. “Your hair is the color of roasted chestnuts, your eyes the warmest brown I’ve ever seen. Your skin is like the richest cream, and God, Skye, your mouth…” I inhale, willing my cock to behave itself. “Your lips are pink and plump and heart-shaped, and fuck, I can’t leave them alone. I’ve never seen a mouth like yours. The way your lips are always slightly parted drives me wild.”
For a moment she seems to soften. But only for a moment.
“You’re acting like I was in there gyrating for ten-dollar bills in my panties. It’s a hotel charity event for MADD, Braden, not a strip club.”
“That dress—”
“Isn’t even mine. It’s my friend’s.”
“It can’t look anywhere near as good on her as it does on you.” My voice cracks a little. Damn it.
She swallows. “I need to go back in.”
“Why? Dancing? You want to go dancing? I’ll take you dancing. Be sure to wear that amazing dress.”
“I told you, it’s not—”
“Your dress,” I finish for her. “It should be. It was made for you.”
As if in response to my voice, her nipples tighten and protrude out against the black fabric. In response, something of mine protrudes as well.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I ask.
“Addie gave me the tickets.”
“Of course,” I say. “Addie. I should have seen her fingerprints all over this.”
“So what? I got the tickets, and I wanted to go out with my friend.”
“Like I said, I’ll take you dancing.”
“I don’t want to go dancing,” she says.
“What do you want, then?”
Please say you want to go back to my place. Please.
“I want to go back inside. My friend will be worried.”
“If I take you back inside, the men will be all over you.”
“Braden, one guy was paying attention to me. One. And you scared him off.”
“He’s not good enough for you.” She doesn’t even know the half of it.
“You don’t even know him.”
She’s wrong there. “Neither do you.”
“Of course I do. He’s an architect.”
“You’re wrong, Skye. I do know him. That’s Peter Reardon, and his father is Beau Reardon of Reardon Brothers Architecture. His friend is Garrett Ramirez, also an architect with the company. Beau is trying to get the contract on my new building.”
She wrenches her arm out of my grasp. “What are you saying? That the two of them are paying attention to us because of you?”
“I’m not saying that at all.”
“Sounds like it from where I’m standing.”
“Not at all. They didn’t know you were with me before—but now they do. They’re playboys. I guarantee you they both have two things on their minds tonight. That contract—which probably means a huge bonus from Daddy—and getting laid. I’ll let you guess which one is foremost in their minds on a Saturday night.”
“Interesting. What do you have on your mind tonight, Braden?”
I can’t help a slight smile. “Not a contract.”
Damn, no lie there. All I can think about is getting Skye back in bed. Yeah, I’m acting like a territorial ass, when I know damned well she’s not mine. Not yet, anyway.
I should apologize. I even open my mouth to do so, but before I can—
“I’m going back in,” she says.
“Fine. I’m going with you.”
“Suit yourself.”
I follow her back to the ballroom. She struts in and heads for a table.
The gorgeous brunette in the red dress runs toward her, nearly knocking over a server and her tray full of drinks. “Skye, are you all right? Peter said—” Her eyes morph to circles when she sees me behind Skye. “It is you.”
She clears her throat. “I’m fine.”
Bestie regains her composure and lifts her lips in a dazzling smile. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
I hold out my hand. “Braden Black.”
“Braden, this is Tessa Logan, my best friend.”
“It’s an honor, Mr. Black.” Tessa flutters her ridiculously long eyelashes as she shakes my hand. She’s a flirt. I’m used to it. She is a bombshell, but not what I’m after at the moment.
“Call me Braden. Any friend of Skye’s.” I turn to her. “Drink?”
“I’ve had enough, thanks.”
“You?” I nod to Tessa.
“I’d love another banana daiquiri,” she says coyly.
“Done. I’ll be back.” I head to the bar.
“Two Wild Turkeys, one ice cube, and a banana daiquiri,” I say to the young woman tending bar.
She drops her jaw. “You’re Braden Black.”
“Guilty.”
“Wow. Sure. Give me just a minute.” She fumbles with the stainless steel shaker for the daiquiri.
Lila Marquez pushes her way toward me. “Braden!” she gasps out. “A table opened up for you.”
“Lila, I don’t need—”
“Oh, I insist. It’s right up front.”
“A table right up front opened up?”
“Yes. Isn’t that lucky?”
Lucky, indeed. More likely one of the bigger donors just went home. It’s nearing eleven.