Page 7 of Mister Daddy

But even so. I’ve never locked on anyone as quickly as I have this mystery woman. She’s irresistible, and I’m drawn to her like a predator to its prey, circling and stalking while merely waiting in the bushes. And if my biological reaction to her dancing is any indication, we’re going to be in my bed before the night is over.

My phone vibrates against my hip, forcing my eyes from her hips. The caller ID says Havisham, my secretary.

Thumb hovering over the answer button, I hesitate. Miss Havisham only calls me when it’s important, especially this late at night. I should pick up. After all, Havisham’s been with me for almost twenty years now. The elderly woman wouldn’t call unless it was urgent.

But the beautiful woman sways again, shooting me a coy look over one slim shoulder, and my thumb presses “Do Not Answer.” For the first time ever, I ignore a call from my secretary and slip the phone back into my pocket. The decision surprises me. After all, work has always come first for me, and has been my constant mistress these past twenty years. I’ve cycled through dozens of beautiful women, but my company? Naw, she’s my real wife.

So why have I let a woman I’ve never even met decide that a call wasn’t important to take? My phone doesn’t buzz again, so it must not have been an emergency. The racing in my chest feels like there’s an emergency somewhere, though. I think it’s right here, in this room.

I’m going to talk to her. I have to. She’s too beautiful to resist and my cock jerks again, merely envisioning those curves pressed beneath me in bed.

When I search the floor for her again, though, she’s not in the place I left her. Neither are her friends.

Shit. Is she gone? Did they slip by me somehow?

There’s no way. I only glanced away for a second when I decided not to take the call. She couldn’t have left the club that quickly.

I frantically scan the crowd for her, my heartrate quickening with every second that passes. What the fuck is going on? My eyes dart right and left, and then up and down, like I’m some crazy person. But finally, I spot her red-haired friend at the bar, downing swill like it’s water. My mystery woman is perched on a stool at the bar, trying to rub her feet without anyone noticing. Her friend hands her a small cup of clear liquid, and they tap the cups together and throw back shots, giggling as they down the cheap alcohol. The red-headed friend’s eyes open wide as her gullet absorbs the vodka. But only I see the beautiful brunette cringe a bit as she swallows, like drinking isn’t her thing.

Great. This is the perfect time to make my move. Clearly, the friend is inebriated, while my target doesn’t even like the taste of alcohol. My feet move on their own, bringing me to her spot at the bar so quickly that I don’t have a chance to prepare what to say.

“Hi,” I growl. It’s as good of an opener as any.

She looks up, clearly surprised. “Hi,” she replies softly. “How are you?”

Before I can say anything, the friend presses another shot into her hand. This makes the brunette raise her eyebrows.

“Jess, seriously?” she asks. “Really? How many have you had tonight?”

But the friend’s on a roll.

“Don’t be such a worry wart,” she calls over the pounding music. “One-two-three GO!”

And with that, both women down the drinks. Well, more accurately, the one called Jessica pours a liter of the stuff into her stomach while my dream woman takes just a sip.

“Jess, that’s enough,” she says firmly. “That’s enough for both you and me.”

“For tonight!” her friend shouts, not losing a beat. “We’re here to have fun,whooo-eee!”

I try not to laugh. Who says whoo-ee? She must be much drunker than she appears on the outside. But then someone interrupts.

“Sir, can I get you a drink?” a high-pitched voice sounds in my ear, struggling to be heard over the music. A claw-like hand grabs my elbow. “You don’t have to wait at the bar. I can bring drinks to your table.”

“I’m okay, thanks,” I grind out, not even looking at the intruder.

Unfortunately, Vanessa the waitress doesn’t take the hint. She bobs her head up and down enthusiastically before saying, “Well, let me know if you need something sir. We’re all at your disposal, all of us here on the ship. No need to be shy.”

Dammit. Talk about intruding at the wrong time. I merely nod shortly, without saying a word, and Vanessa takes the hint. She scuttles off, practically bowing backwards while disappearing into the crowd. Damnit. I was just about to make my move before that unfortunate interruption.

Now, the mystery girl’s attention is on the dance floor. She might think she’s dismissing me, but I won’t be avoided that easily. After all, it’s just a ruse. I’m a huge, powerful man at her side, and experience has taught me that women appreciate my looks. So her ignoring me is just an act, and as if confirming my suspicion, a small smile plays at her lips as she looks out onto the heaving sea of bodies.

“Sorry about that,” I apologize. “Where were we?”

But the brunette is coy. She cocks her head at me, sliding a warm caramel glance my way.

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?” she asks in a dulcet voice.

I smile, like a tiger sizing up its prey. “You don’t know me, sweetheart,” is my admission. “But I promise, you will soon.”