AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Alice straightened and gave her a frosty look. “Do you have to keep bringing it up?”
“Are you planning to be a nun?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the deal?”
“Men don’t look at me the way they look at you.”
“I beg to differ. That guy would have given you a one-night stand in a heartbeat.”
“The moose?” Alice tipped her nose up. “If I wanted a one-night stand, I could get one. Men don’t have to like a woman to have sex with her.”
“True. So you want the white knight?”
“I want a guy who likes me for me. What’s wrong with that?”
Men she dated in the past said they had a hard time keeping up with her. She was restless and manic and always into something, whether it was real estate, cooking, driving race cars, skydiving, or painting. She was a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Most men saw her as arm candy and a body to fuck. She was much more, but no one cared what was inside her. Vinny was the only one who accepted her, flaws and all.
“Carmen?”
She cleared her throat. “There’s nothing wrong with waiting for the right guy.”
Alice looked surprised. “Really? I thought you said—”
“Forget what I said. I don’t know anything.”
“Are you okay?”
Before she could answer, two hands gripped her waist and lifted her. She aimed her heels down to impale the buffoon holding her aloft, but her irritation disappeared when she recognized him.
“Connie!” she squealed.
“Jesus, woman.” Cormac, aka The Heat, didn’t look pleased. “Don’t be saying that pansy ass name so loud. It’s Mac or The Heat.” He bobbed his brows. “Or the man who’s gonna make your dreams come true.” He set her down and then tucked her under one arm. “I caught a glimpse of your ass and told The Punisher it was mine until I realized it was you. Gavin would have my hide, wouldn’t he?”
“He would,” she agreed and smiled at The Punisher, aka Walter, who she hadn’t seen since Incognito’s opening night. “What are you assholes doing here?”
“My buddy’s having a get-together in the penthouse, and we’re bringing the party.”
Behind Cormac and Walter was an entourage of men who had the bodies of Chippendale dancers. Alice stared at Cormac as if he was the devil incarnate. Carmen had to admit that Cormac looked outlandish in a ridiculous white fur coat, baby blue sunglasses, thick gold chain and red Mohawk. He wore jeans and no shirt beneath the fur coat. His abs and beautiful tattoos were on full display. Cormac was brash, uncouth, flashy, and a shit talker of the highest order, which was justified since he was the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion. She met Cormac years ago and watched him get his ass whooped more times than she cared to remember. But Cormac was a stubborn bastard and kept getting in the ring. Now, he was a millionaire and a champion determined to suck life dry. She could relate to that. A night with Cormac was just what she needed.
“And who’s this?” Cormac asked, following her gaze to Alice.
“This is my friend, Alice. She works for Gavin.”
Cormac raised his ridiculous sunglasses to examine Alice with dark eyes. “What do you do for Pyre, honey?”
Alice opened and closed her mouth without uttering a word.
“She’s the community outreach coordinator for the Pyre Foundation. You know, Connie,” Carmen said, stroking his bare chest absently, “you could really help Alice out. We always need huge celebs to up the ante for press at her events.”
“No problem,” Cormac said and flexed his pecs.
Alice looked like she might faint.
“Of course,” Carmen drawled, “you’d have to be a gentleman and not cause a ruckus.”
“I thought you wanted press,” he said with a wink and focused on Alice. “You want to come with us, sweetheart?”
