Page 5

5

VAUGHN

“ A nother round,” I say to the waiter hovering over our table. “Or would you like something less sweet than a Strawberry Daiquiri?”

Claire smiles a bright, white-toothed smile. It melts my heart into a puddle that drips into my belly. But I wish that were the only rush of liquids she’s spurned on inside of me.

I can handle a fluttering heart and a few blushes here and there, but good God, if any more blood pumps south and settles in my loins, I’m going to collapse on the floor.

How did he die? They’ll ask, teary-eyed.

Too much blood to the cock and none for the rest of him , a doctor will answer, with reddening cheeks all of his own.

“I should probably tell you now,” Claire starts, moving her cocktail glass closer to the waiter. He places it on his tray full of empty plates and napkins from the feast we just concluded. “I’m not much of a drinker. I’m already a little lightheaded, so it might not be a good idea to have anymore.”

“Then two bottles of water it is,” I say.

There’s no chance in hell I’m going to feed her more booze if she’s teetering on the edge of inebriation. I want this to be a night to remember, not wondering how she ended up in my bed tomorrow morning or fearing I did something. IT has to be grand, spectacular, perfect…

Just like Claire is.

“Don’t let me stop your fun.”

“Being here is my fun,” I answer, reaching out to her. It’s only when my fingers brush against the back of her hand that I realize this isn’t a date. She isn’t my lover yet.

Slow and steady wins the race, I have to remind myself. But it’s so difficult around her. If I felt more secure in her intentions, I’d make my move right here and now.

I quickly pull my hand back in a hasty retreat while Claire’s eyes linger on the spot I just touched.

“I don’t know what came over me.” I swallow as her big blue eyes flick away from her hand and straight into mine.

“Probably the same thing that got into me,” she coos but quickly adds, “Too much liquor.” In a more frantic response as if to correct herself.

I gaze into her great, big oceans for a while, not saying a single thing as my mind runs away in a delusional sprint. Maybe I’m approaching this all wrong. We’re both adults, we’ve played the game, we understand that dinner after seven rarely means business.

Could it be that Claire shares my interest?

I’m sure the answer will slap me in the face before the end of the night. Which gives me even more reason to hold off on drinking in favor of getting drunk in her company.

“So, tell me. How was your first day?” I polish off the remnants of my drink just in time for our waiter to bring the water. He puts down two wine glasses with a slice of lemon in each and pours.

Claire first, then me. Good man, he knows to show the goddess respect before her underlings.

“It was fine, thanks.” Claire grabs the stem of her wine glass and drags it over the table toward herself. “Nerve-wracking, especially with our moms throwing me in front of you three. But no complaints, not really. I think I’m going to have a great time here with…” She trails off after saying it, hoping I won’t notice she didn’t finish the sentence.

With me? Is that what’s running through your head, my golden-haired minx?

“Splendid news. And don’t let my brothers intimidate you.” I feel a sheepish smile trickling over my face. “Behind the fancy suits and serious looks, they’re big softies.”

“What about you?” She takes her first sip.

“Me?” I ease back in my chair.

“Are you a big softy too?”

“There isn’t a thing about me that’s soft.” Honesty blurts out of me, but this time, I don’t fight it.

Sure, I’m acting as a total cliché. The new girl in the office catches the boss’s eye—a story as old as time. But it’s different, ever so slightly. Usually, the big boss has found a partner in these scenarios, and the woman who catches his eye torments him.

With me and Claire, we’re both unattached, young enough to make stupid decisions but old enough to approach them with a certain level of tact. Guess we’ll find out if I’m right about this in the morning. If I don’t see letters from H.R. littered across my desk, it’ll be a good sign.

“Oh my.” Claire turns away from me, and a light shade of red consumes her otherwise fair cheeks. She takes another hasty, nervous gulp of water, and I give her all the time and space she needs to process the thought.

Best part is, I’m not even lying. Every inch of me is rock solid. Has been since she sat down at this table.

“Well,” she starts, finding her courage to continue, “I’d say prove it, but I don’t think that would be wise in a room full of people.”

“There are other ways.” The sheepishness on my face devolves into a devilish grin.

Fuck, there’s no stopping it now, and no point in trying to either. I didn’t choose to walk this road, but it sure pulled me onto it. Focused, determined, and wanting.

She raises a brow. “Is that so?”

“Sure. I could move a little closer.” I slip out of my chair opposite Claire and into the one next to her. “Take your hand.” Mine slips out from under the table while I speak, curling over hers resting on the wine stem. “And guide you straight to the problem you’ve caused.”

I wait for Claire to give me a sign of wanting to play along before going any further. As expected, her hand moves without my guidance—not far enough to get anywhere important, but more than enough for me to know I’m not delusional for thinking she’s into me.

Her eyes lock onto mine once I start leading her hand under the table.

“This is scandalous,” she says, making no effort to stop me.

“Nothing’s happening. You asked for proof, and I’m giving it to you.” Our hands collide with my knee, sending a shiver through my body.

Somebody pinch me. I need to know this isn’t a dream.

I stop shy of the tent in my pants, and Claire’s face twists into a half-pout, half-scowl. “Why’d you stop?”

Honest answer? As badly as I’m screwing it up, I’m still trying to adhere to slow and steady wins the race . What I say to Claire is, “You’re not ready for what my body has in store, pretty little thing.”

“There’s only one way to know for sure.” Her eyes stare into mine under a hooded gaze.

I flick my wrist, and her knuckles brush against my aching muscle through my trousers. Her eyelids widen, and her eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. She hasn’t even done anything, and fireworks explode inside my head. My whole body starts to tense up, and I’m on the verge of pure fucking ecstasy.

If it weren’t for Claire’s reminder that we are, in fact, in a room full of people, I fear I might’ve made a mess of my pants.

“What the fuck?” she whispers in a far-off sort of way. “It just keeps going.”

“Told you you weren’t ready.” Sounding cool and slick when your whole world is erupting is much harder to do than I thought it would be.

Claire giggles, allowing her hand to take complete control, brushing my girth from tip to base. Once her inspection is completed, she pulls back and steeples her hands in front of her face.

“The evidence is inconclusive,” she says. “We’ll have to go somewhere more private for a thorough examination.”

And just like that…

I think I’m in love.