Page 143

“Probably. I doubt they’re invested in bison conservation.”

“You never know. People have their passions.”

“Yeah, I’m sure Garrett Price is super into saving bison.”

“What? Garrett Price is here?” Her grip tightens as she starts darting her head, searching for the guy.

“You sound excited.”

“You know he’s onManhattan Millions. Of course I am. It’s not every day you get to meet a celebrity. Did you know he’d be here? Hannah is going to freak when I tell her. Oh my God.”

“He’s not that big of a deal.”

“If he’s not that big of a deal, does that mean you can introduce me to him?”

I lightly grip her chin, drawing her attention back to me. “Do I need to remind you that you’re my date?”

“I thought you didn’t get jealous?” she teases.

“Not jealous.” I tilt her chin higher and drop my lips to within inches of hers.

The air thickens around us, the world quieting to a hum as we get lost in one another. It is so easy to forget about everything else when I am with her.

I draw her into a slow, sensual kiss, sucking on her soft bottom lip and eliciting a small inhale. When I pull back, her shiny blue eyes have darkened a few shades. Her focus is solely on me, and I run my thumb back over her bottom lip, pressing it down and forcing her mouth to open a fraction.

“I’ll introduce you to him,” I whisper. “Just remember that it’s my taste on your tongue when you’re talking to him.”

I remove my grip from her chin and place it on the hand she has around my bicep, guiding her in the direction of the group of men milling about by the bronze bison statue. One of them stands out from the rest, not because he is any taller or broader, but because his personality seems to pour out of him.

I don’t know Garrett well since he’s a good few years younger, but you can’t work real estate in the city without knowing him. Even before he became a reality star, he was a lion in the jungle, snatching the best listings and closing billion-dollar deals at the young age of twenty-three. I work more in the commercial sector, while Garrett specializes in the residential sector. He sells the best penthouses, brownstones, and condos in the city to buyers from all over the world. Even I can admit that Garrett has a better network of clients than I do—that is just his game.

He notices us walking over almost immediately and steps away from his conversation, throwing out his typical charming smile.

“Cullen Ross, I heard you were back in the city.”

“Been back for a few months now,” I shrug.

“Heard you’re making inquiries about the Stallons’ place on Sixty-first. Getting bored of commercial?”

He is referring to the penthouse Alonso has me helping with. I shouldn’t be surprised he knows about that. Unlike most agents, Garrett doesn’t stick to one or two areas in the city to specialize in; he focuses on whatever has the highest price tag attached.

“Just doing a favor for Alonso.”

“Hmm.” He takes a sip of his Old Fashioned, gaze slipping to Verity. His energy perks up, that easy allure oozing out of him. “Forgive my rudeness. I’m Garrett.”

Verity unlatches her hand from my bicep to shake his offered hand. I refrain from allowing my jaw to tick.

“Verity.” Her smile is so wide, I’m worried it’s going to split her cheeks. “I’m—wow. You—I watch your show. I love it.” Her stuttering praise instantly feeds his ego—as if he needs that.

“Thanks. Do you have a favorite on the show?”

“I love Leslie.” A part of me sighs in relief that she didn’t name him. “But you’re my roommate’s fave by far.”

He lets out a teasing cluck, that smirk still on his lips. “Since it’s Lez, I won’t be offended you didn’t pick me.”

She giggles, and my patience wears thin. I snake my hand around her hips and step next to her. The lack of subtlety isn’t lost on Garrett, who instantly zeroes in on the motion.

“Dating?”