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COREY

Tonight is my first night out—night off, actually—since setting up the studio over here.

But Milo gave me little choice about it.

He first mentioned it a few weeks ago and I pushed it aside, assuming he’d forget about it—or at least forget about me.

But when he called again at the beginning of the week and told me I had to be here, I didn’t stand a chance.

Part of my moving here was so I could spend time with this side of my family, a fact he was all too happy to use against me.

Turns out, he didn’t need to try quite so hard; all he had to do was mention the quality of the women, and I’d have followed orders in a heartbeat.

I’ve been so busy since I arrived in LA that women haven’t been on my radar all that much.

I mean, I’ve spent my fair share of time inking them, but that’s about as close as I’ve got.

And my lack of action hasn’t been more obvious to me than those few seconds I found myself following a curvy redhead up the stairs to the VIP area, her arse swaying before me.

“So, you know Fletch?” I ask once we’ve given the bartender our orders.

A pint for me and a rum and Coke for her.

I must admit, I was surprised. I was expecting her to order a glass of bubbles like I’ve seen the other women drinking, or at least a glass of wine, but it seems this woman has been sent to surprise me tonight.

First, her fine arse, swiftly followed by her damn near falling into my arms not long after, and now this.

“Thank you. I need this,” she says, swallowing a generous mouthful before turning to look at me. “Reese is my boss.”

“You work for the Vipers?”

“Assistant foundation coordinator,” she says before taking another sip of her drink.

“Sounds like fun.”

“I love it,” she says, her eyes lighting up, evidence of her passion.

I nod at her, finding myself lost in her chestnut eyes as she stares back at me.

She coughs, clearing her throat and breaking the tension between us after a few seconds, and I’m forced to look away.

“So, what is it you do?”

“Harlow, there you are! I thought you were coming to talk to the birthday boy,” a high-pitched voice says from behind me before a blonde wrapped in the smallest dress I’ve ever seen stands so close to me that I have to take a step back.

“Yeah … I … uh …”

“Oh, are you still embarrassed about that? I’m sure Fletch has already forgotten.

” She waves her friend off with a swish of her hand, and my eyes widen in shock.

“Who’s your new friend?” She turns to me, her eyes running over my face as what I guess is supposed to be a sexy pout appears on her lips.

“Corey,” I say politely, holding my hand out for her.

“Oh, my Brit.” My Brit? My eyebrows rise. “Milo didn’t say you were here yet.” Ignoring my hand, she steps right into my body, pressing her breasts into my chest and stretching to drop a kiss to my cheek. “I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you.”

“Oh really?” I ask, placing my hands on her shoulders, trying to remove her from me. “I’m not sure Milo’s ever mentioned you.”

Harlow snorts a laugh, and when I look up, I find the most breathtaking smile lighting up her face.

“Oh, that can’t be true. I’m sure you’ve just forgotten. I can only imagine that you’ve met so many new people since you arrived. I’m Brooke—I work with your cousin. He’s told me all about you.”

“Is that right?”

“Sure is. So, tell me about yourself. I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

“Well, actually, I was in the middle of a conversation with your friend here.”

Brooke stands back and looks over her shoulder. “Oh, okay, well …” She sounds dejected, making me wonder how many guys turn her down. Not a lot, I’m guessing.

“Would you like a drink, B?”

“I’d love one, thanks.” I watch as Harlow orders Brooke a sauvignon blanc.

They’re both stunning, Brooke more so now I don’t have everything thrust in my face, but to me, Harlow stands out by a mile.

Her red hair, her large, dark eyes that just ooze innocence …

I bite my lip as I study her while she talks to her friend.

She must sense my stare, because her eyes flick to mine, and she startles when she finds me looking back.

Colour hits her cheeks, and it only makes her more alluring.

It looks like coming here tonight was more than worth it.

My cock stirs behind the fabric of my jeans, desperate to end the evening with my first bit of action in a while.

Brooke lifts her drink from the bar and takes a sip while looking between the two of us suspiciously.

“So … I’m just going to go …” She trails off before disappearing off into the crowd.

“Good friend of yours?” I ask once I’m confident she’s out of earshot. I take a step closer, her perfume filling my nose and making my mouth water.

Harlow laughs, and excitement shoots through me. She’s exactly what I need tonight.

“Yeah, actually. My best friend.”

“Really? You seem so …”

“Different?”

“Yeah,” I say, relieved that I’m not the only one who sees it.

“Don’t let her front fool you. She’s a great person. She just comes across a little?—”

“Desperate?”

She laughs again. “I was going to say full-on. Everyone around us seems to be coupling up,” she says, flicking a look over to where they’re standing with their girls. “She’s just feeling a little … left behind.”

“And she thought I might get her up to speed?”

I watch her lips, enthralled as she purses them to take a sip of her drink. “You have no idea. She’s been going on and on about meeting you since Milo told her you’d first moved here.”

“Why? I could be a right arsehole.” A smile curls at her lips.

“The accent,” she says, like it should be obvious. “She was hoping you’d talk all sexy to her.” Harlow rolls her eyes at her friend’s insanity. “So, are you?”

“Am I what? Going to talk all sexy to her?” I drop the tone of my voice and delight when the roughness of it makes her pupils dilate. My brows pull together as I cast my mind back over our conversation, trying to figure out what she’s asking me.

“No. An arsehole, ” she says, adorably trying to mimic my accent.

“Some would probably say I am. Others not so much.”

“Cryptic.”

Closing more of the space between us, I reach out and tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Maybe you’ll just have to find out for yourself.”

Her lips part but no words come out as my fingertip brushes the shell of her ear. “I … um …”

I search her eyes, trying to read her. She seems reluctant, yet there’s something there. Something wild that I know is screaming to get out.

Our connection holds before she sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and my gaze drops to watch.

“Harlow,” that familiar voice calls from somewhere. “We’re going to dance. You coming?”

My eyes jump back up to hers. I want to ask her to stay here with me, but I’ve just met her; I’ve got no right to even suggest keeping her away from her friends and colleagues.

After another second, she rips her eyes from mine and looks at Brooke, who holds her hand out.

I stand back, allowing her some space. She downs her drink before giving me a small smile and walking towards her friend.

Her arse sways as she makes her way over, and my trousers suddenly seem a little too tight as I imagine what, if any, underwear she’s got on beneath. When I look up, I find Brooke watching me.

Her eyes are narrowed, and I’m not sure if it’s jealousy or a warning.