Page 5 of Reputation (Toronto Royals #1)

She glanced back over her shoulder, her thick hair creating a curtain to conceal her searching gaze. Just past the waves of gold hanging down her back, she looked back at him, and just as she had hoped, he was watching her walk away.

A playful smile curved her red lips as she caught him looking. It didn’t matter that he had caught her doing the same. She was enjoying the feel of his eyes tracking her through the crowd too much to care.

She turned around just as she reached her table. Slowly, she walked up, not wanting to interrupt Joyce and the guy she was speaking to, but also needing to talk to her—like right now.

This was so unlike her, but the feeling of having a man’s attention, let alone a man who looked like that , pinned to her made her feel…powerful. It was addicting. Five minutes of it, and she was hooked.

“Hey,” she said with a smile as she stopped beside the high-top. Joyce and her companion turned at the sound of her voice. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she cast an apologetic look at the man, “but can I chat with her for a moment? You can have her back after, I promise.”

The man smiled. “Sure.” He looked at Joyce. “Why don’t I go get us some drinks?”

“That would be great,” Joyce answered, aiming a flirty look in his direction.

When he wandered off, Joyce’s gaze trailed after him. Well, they trailed to one spot in particular, which was shapely in his slacks.

Eavie laughed, and Joyce turned, shooting her a wide-eyed, innocent look. “What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” Eavie said, shaking her head. “Umm, so since you’re busy—” she began, but Joyce cut her off.

“I’m sorry, you were gone for a while and he came and started talking to me. At first, I wasn’t interested, but he’s actually really funny,” she said, turning to look behind her to see where he had gone.

“No, no, it’s fine,” reassured Eavie. “Actually, I was coming to tell you that someone asked to buy me a drink.”

Joyce’s head whipped around so fast that Eavie was surprised she didn’t fall off her chair. “Who?” she demanded, her tone almost shrill with excitement.

Eavie rolled her eyes. It wasn’t like she was a nun or a virgin or anything.

Casting her gaze toward the bar, subtly looking for her Roman warrior.

About halfway down, she spotted him leaning against the concrete top, one elbow propped on it, making the muscles in his bicep bulge.

Heat curled through her belly. He made that simple pose look so fucking sexy.

She took a step closer to Joyce, lowering her voice. “Leaning against the bar, halfway. Dark blue button-down, brown hair.”

With a practiced motion, Joyce draped her arm across the back of her chair, rotating her shoulder so she could surreptitiously scope him out. Eavie kept her face neutral, staring at Joyce’s ear so they wouldn’t both be caught looking.

“Mamma Mia!” Joyce exhaled on a breath. She turned back around, mouth open in amazement. “For the love of God, please tell me you said yes.”

Eavie nodded. “I did.”

Joyce literally squealed, drawing the eyes of almost everyone around her. Instantly, Eavie felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.

“Oh my god! Stop,” she begged, grabbing Joyce by the shoulders in hopes it would quiet the manic sounds her friend was making.

“Giiiirl,” Joyce said, drawing out the word.

“Do you think it’s a terrible idea?” she asked, suddenly uncertain. She was out of practice, and he was…fuck, he was not someone she wanted to embarrass herself in front of.

“I think it’s the best idea ever,” Joyce encouraged. She took another look behind her. “Damn, he’s hot with a capital H.O.T.” Eavie couldn’t help but agree as she glanced over in his direction.

And he was watching them…. great .

Joyce turned back around, smiling mischievously.

“Oh my god, you have to go! You haven’t been with a guy in forever, and tonight is your night to celebrate,” she exclaimed, hands clasping Eavie’s wrists excitedly.

“You should totally celebrate with some sex, and you should let that man do it.” She emphasized her point with an excited shake of her shoulders.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I just met him.” Eavie laughed. “It’s just one drink. I’m not going to sleep with him.”

Her lips fell into a pout. “Fine. Be boring. Can’t say I’ll be doing the same,” she said smirking, now watching her guy as he returned to the table.

Quickly, she looked back at Eavie. “Okay, go—have fun, be responsible, blah blah blah. But if you’re going to leave with him, text me.

” She aimed her finger seriously in Eavie’s face.

“I’m not going to leave with him,” Eavie reminded her firmly.

“Never say never,” Joyce threw back.

Eavie was about to argue, but she caught sight of her Roman warrior again, still leaning against the bar, stormy eyes watching her. Okay, maybe she shouldn’t say never.

“Hey,” she said quickly to Joyce before the other guy returned. “Teeth.” She pulled her lips back to reveal them.

“All clear,” she confirmed. “Enjoy.” She gave her a wink as Eavie turned, sliding through the crowd toward the bar.

She had to weave her way there, making her approach slow.

She felt his eyes on her the entire time, tracking her progress.

It was heady, feeling that heavy gaze on her face, her shoulder, her legs.

It seemed crazy, but she swore she could feel the path his eyes traveled.

The part of her brain that was enjoying it far too much encouraged her hips to sway just a little more with each step.

Finally breaching through a group dressed in suits, she was back within a few feet of him. His scent hit her first, drawing her closer, his pure magnetism squashing any rational part of her that screamed to be careful.

That voice, the one that told her she should pay attention, analyze the situation, and think before she acted, was drowned out by the part of her that she never, ever let come out and play.

She smiled almost shyly when she reached him, moving to stand in the small gap between his body and the person behind her. He mirrored her when she did, turning so they were almost chest-to-chest.

“What can I get you to drink?” he asked, his voice low and thick.

“White wine, please,” she answered, eyes scanning his face and shoulders when he turned to give the bartender their order.

Her fingers itched, wanting to trail them up the back of his neck and feel if his hair was as thick and silky as it looked.

For fuck’s sake, girl. Get a grip—you are just having a drink with him. You will not jump him in the middle of a crowded bar.

Blinking, she tore her eyes away as he handed her a glass filled with a buttery-colored wine. She smiled her thanks as she took it.

“Cheers,” he said, lifting his beer so she could clink hers against it.

“Cheers,” she echoed softly, taking a small sip.

The rich, creamy flavor of the wine exploded in her mouth, and her tongue darted across her lips to catch a runaway drop.

His eyes watched the movement, his chest expanding on a deep inhale.

They were standing so close that it brushed hers, rubbing against her overly aroused nipples.

The sensation sent excited shivers through her.

She cleared her suddenly thick throat, her entire body on edge with the desire that pulsed through her.

“So, what are you celebrating tonight?” he asked after a few heartbeats of silence.

Her brow scrunched as she blinked at him, head tilting in confusion. How did he know they were celebrating something?

At her confused look, he continued. “I’ve been watching you,” he said, nodding toward where she had been sitting with Joyce.

She glanced over to where he indicated before her eyes focused on him again. “You were watching me?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

His throat bobbed with a swallow. “I mean, I wasn’t watching you.

That didn’t come out right,” he stammered, running a hand through his hair.

“What I meant was that you were drinking champagne when you got here…” He obviously realized that his words proved he had been watching her.

“ Fuck , okay, none of this is coming out right. I’m just going to stop talking now. ”

She chuckled throatily, completely charmed by him. She should have found it weird that he’d been watching her all night, but she couldn’t help but be flattered. This incredibly handsome, fit, confident guy had been focused on her tonight despite being here to attend a party.

Taking pity on him, she laid her hand on his arm.

It was warm and firm beneath her fingers, and she had to stifle a sigh at the contact.

“You’re right,” she said, looking into his eyes.

“I am celebrating something tonight.” Drawing her hand away, she immediately missed the contact. “I got some good news today.”

“What about?” he asked.

She turned her head, watching her fingers toy with the stem of her wine glass. “About a promotion at work,” she answered.

“Congratulations,” he said, resting his elbow on the bar top again. He leaned closer, and with the sheer size of him, it felt like he was enveloping her. He surrounded one entire half of her body. “What do you do?”

She turned her head slightly. With him leaning against the bar, their lips were almost level, and she couldn’t stop her gaze from dropping to his mouth. It was wide, with a full bottom lip perfect for biting.

“I’m an assistant,” she answered, thinking through the fog of her wayward thoughts.

She was careful with how much she revealed.

The anonymity of who they were made her bold and more willing to let go of her tightly held control for the night.

As soon as that ended, the moment would be broken, and she would once again be who she truly was.

For one night, she just wanted to be no one.

She just wanted to be with him with no pretenses.

Thankfully, she still had enough control over her hormones that she could heed that advice, courtesy of the minimal rational brain cells she had left.