Page 86 of Bargain With the Boss

I hopped out and barely pocketed my ticket before I was taking off for the party on the side of the building. I didn’t know anyone, but it looked like the drinks had been free flowing.

A few people were sloppy drunk, but for the most part it seemed like everyone was just having a good time.

A filmy dress caught my eye. The light brown hair was the wrong woman, but she could lead me to the right one. “Claire!”

She twirled around, a huge smile on her face that slowly slid away. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Where’s Syd?”

“None of your business. What are you, some sort of stalker? She can spend one weekend away from you, Xavier.”

I didn’t want to explain anything, dammit. I just wanted to find Syd.

I scanned the crowd. “Is she still here?”

“You have some nerve coming after her. She needs some time to think about things, you jerk.”

“She asked me to come.”

Claire frowned. “She did?”

I nodded. Then a woman with familiar red curls glided through the dancers on the patio. She gave me a soft smile as she threaded through the people. She wore the dress from the window at Ember’s place. It had been shortened and skimmed the middle of her thighs, showing off toned legs that went for miles ending in strappy heels that made her hips sway deliciously.

A beer dangled from her fingertips. She took a slow sip before dropping it off on one of the tables.

A man caught her around the waist and tried to urge her back to the dance floor, but she just shook him off with a soft word that left him smiling and staring after her.

Who was this siren?

This wasn’t the woman who’d come to Crescent Cove a little over a week ago.

“What’s in those drinks?”

Claire sighed. “She’s been making friends and having a good time. Why are you here to ruin it?”

“Maybe I’m just here for her.” I glanced down at Claire, but only for a second. I couldn’t keep my gaze off Sydney. Her curls lifted from the wind off the water and she practically glowed from the overhead string lights illuminating the patio.

“You found me.” Her voice was breathless and low.

“I’ll always find you, Duchess.”

Her cheeks pinked. She touched Claire’s arm. “I texted him. Are you mad?”

Claire shook her head. “No. Maybe a little jealous. I don’t think I’ve ever had a guy drive hours to see me.”

I hadn’t even paused. Hell, I practically ran for her.

Syd gave her happy smile, then held a hand out to me. “Dance with me.”

I let her lead me to the dance floor where a sultry beat pulsed from the speakers. The voice was low and raspy and spoke of a woman being the death of him.

I could relate.

She would end me, I was sure of it.

I pulled her into me until our thighs brushed and her wrists draped over my shoulder. I lowered to touch my forehead to hers. She closed her eyes and clung to me, our bodies lined up as if they were made for one another. I fisted the layers of filmy fabric until I found skin. The dress was backless under the dozens of filmy layers.

I trailed my fingers along the soft skin at the base of her spine.