AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Want a drink?”
I felt my face heat as his words registered in my lust-addled brain. That’s what he reduced me to every single time I was near him.
“Uh, yeah,” I said, clearing my throat and pulling my hand from his. “I’ll have a stout.”
He smiled like my choice of beverage answered an unasked question, then turned back toward the bartender, where he raised a hand to get his attention. I took a breath and righted myself on the stool. His familiar cologne filled my nose again, and I wanted to rub up against him like a cat. I wanted his scent all over my skin for as long as possible.
The close confines of the bar caused my thigh to line up with his, igniting an entirely new wave of scorching desire and need through every cell in my body. No man had ever caused this kind of fire in me. And it was dangerous as fuck.
“I’m surprised you’re still in Chicago. Carter mentioned you were getting ready to take your spot at Wentworth.”
“I have some things to discuss with him. What are you doing here alone?”
Sweeping my gaze toward the entrance, I needed a break from looking at him. He was so goddamn handsome and being this close made me want to do filthy things with him.
Looking back, I watched his lips curl around the cool crystal edge of the glass. He sat the glass down, then turned to smile playfully at me. “Having a drink with you.”
I grinned back at him and probably stared too long. But this time, he didn’t look away, and it was my turn to talk. “So what’s new with you, Mr. Rowan?”
His eyes sparkled, causing my breath to hitch. Greer held so much goddamn erotic power over me with just a single look. “Well, being awarded an NFL franchise is new.”
My eyes widened at this statement. “That’s amazing. Here in Chicago?”
“No,” he chuckled. “Portland, Oregon. Carter hadn’t mentioned it?”
“Not specifically. He knew you were in talks with the league and the owners. But you know Carter’s more of a hockey guy. You’re living his dream, you know.”
That sexy half grin slowly spread across his jaw, making me itch to brush my fingertips across his stubble. At forty-four, he already had some gray in his beard and painted artfully through his thick dark hair.
“There’s no reason he can’t pursue one. You boys have your trust funds and as much money as I do.”
I huffed out a breath, thinking about the life plan I’d already set into action.
“What?” Greer asked, gently bumping his shoulder into mine. I had to take a deep breath to keep from jumping him. Did he know what he did to me?
“Jasper and Mary Ann would hate that.” Turning back to him, I looked into his eyes. “It would be so beneath their high fucking standards.”
The bartender chose that moment to set my beer in front of me. l thanked him before taking a long pull to settle the growing unease. Talking about my parents’ expectations always brought on feelings of resentment, followed by anger for so many things.
Greer grunted quietly in understanding, then leaned over to bump his shoulder along mine again. The combination of the gesture and his closeness made my heart beat a little faster.
We sat there in silence for a while, our shoulders so close that I could almost feel the heat radiating off his skin. His cologne intoxicated me and continued to feed my addiction to him.
Taking a drink of my beer, I knew I had to let this fantasy of him go. But I’d give myself tonight to pretend he wanted me as much as I wanted him. And tomorrow, I’d leave and put him behind me.
Greer leaned over against my shoulder. “I understand the pressure they put on you is hard to deal with. And I hate how they choose not to consider that you might want something different out of life. Unfortunately, that’s the downside of being part of a family with a net worth in the billions. It’s not for the weak. But you’re strong, Austin.” He paused, causing me to turn to look at him. We were so fucking close. “If you ever need anyone, I’m here for you. For whatever you might need.”
There was no way I could keep my eyes off him. He was giving me ideas I shouldn’t be having about him, because as far as I knew, Greer was straight. Wasn’t he? So I licked my lips and nodded.
“Thanks,” I murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.
His eyes remained locked on mine, and I wanted to say there were so many things I needed from him that had nothing to do with money or my parents. They were all about me and my attraction to him.
When he finally turned his attention back to his glass, I allowed my eyes to roam over his face. The sexy as fuck laugh lines around his eyes deepened every time he smiled. And that beautiful smile seemed to be his default expression.
I’d always had a thing for older men, and Greer Rowan had captured my full attention from the moment we met five years ago.
“Carter didn’t mention when you were leaving town. He usually keeps me up to date on his favorite brother.”
