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“Is it a problem, Will? I can leave if it is. I don’t want to cause you an issue. I’ll be annoyed, though, as I’m having a good time. He’s a bloody pain. I don’t know who he thinks he is?”
“Marcus Russell,” says Will, laughing. “Does he call a lot?”
“No, just when he’s trying to sort stuff with James. Or gets pissed off with me if I don’t answer the phone to him. Don’t think he’s used to people not jumping when he wants.”
“Yes, that would do it,” he laughs. “He’s a good guy, though, underneath it all. And I’m having a good time too, Evie. But, should I be worried about Marcus?” He’s gotten really close to me now, and, to be honest I’m a bit surprised. Maybe Marcus’s calling has hastened him along a bit. His hands are on my hips and we’re moving in sync as he looks down at me. Oh, boy.
I smile up at him and am about to tell him I’m single, when Kenny pushes in between us and gives Will the phone.
“You better take this,” he says, glaring at Will as he gestures for me to follow him.
I reluctantly leave the dance floor, pissed off at being manoeuvred by someone clearly in America and, in my view, with no horse in this race.
“What’s up, Kenny?” I ask as I reach the VIP area, where it’s considerably quieter and less crowded than the dance floor.
Kenny gestures over to the left.
Xander. Shit He’s lounging in a chair in the most ridiculously confident pose, a cocky smirk on his face, waving at me.
“What’s he doing here? Marcus isn’t here is he?” I really don’t want to see him.
“No, just Xan. But he’s been on the phone.” He thumbs towards Will, who is now as pale as a sheet and coming our way.
Xander strides over, oozing sex appeal, every eye in the VIP area on him.
I wonder what that feels like, to have everyone looking at you, wanting to talk, wanting something from you. Exhausting I think.
I decide to go on the attack. Marcus fucking Russell is not going to cow me into a nunnery. And he’s definitely not using his best mate to do it. “Xander,” I cry at the top of my voice and rush towards him with both arms out for a massive hug, “my beautiful friend. Have you missed me?” I kiss him, on the mouth, full Hollywood style, and see and feel the flashes going off.
He growls into my mouth and says, “We’ll pay for that, Evie.” But he moves away slightly, laughing his head off, and pulls me into his side to sit down on the red leather couches scattered around. To my surprise, instead of sitting next to me, he pulls me onto his lap. “May as well be hung for a sheep instead of a lamb,” he mutters into my hair as I nuzzle into his neck. I can still feel all the eyes on us.
He settles his hand on my leg, just below the hem, as my dress is mid-thigh and rising. “Easy there tiger,” I say into his ear as if I’m kissing it.
“You don’t want to play with me, Evie?”
I look him dead in his beautiful eyes, our faces only inches apart, as I touch him so it looks as if I’m caressing him. “You know I don’t. But, I do love you, Xan. You are very gorgeous, if not a bit mad. Even for me.”
I smile into his eyes as he says, “And I love you, Evie. If only you’d have tried to drown me instead, it could have been a lot easier.”
I look into his beautiful blue eyes, full of honesty, and another emotion I don’t quite catch before he shutters his gaze. His eyes crinkling with laughter. We both crack up laughing as I hang onto him like a Koala, continuing to drink Tequila on a school night.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Evie
After I miss my first three meetings of the day, Jude comes barging into my room and bangs a pan with the spatula to wake me up. Christ I can’t remember the last time I was so drunk, I missed work. Marcus’s fault again.
“You evil?—”
He slams the door before he can get an earful of abuse, and then pops his head back in. “We’re having breakfast. Xan’s still here. Looks about as good as you, so come down and be sick together.”
Oh, God. I fetched Xander home. Well at least he’s not in my bed, which to be honest he was trying to do. In a totally non sexual way, he claimed. I shoved him in the spare room, next door with Grace. OMG, poor Grace. I jump up and head down to the kitchen.
“Is Grace still here?”
Xander smirks at me. “She had to go to work, poor thing. She borrowed a work appropriate outfit from your wardrobe, Evie. I did let her sleep for fifteen minutes, she’ll be fine.”
