Page 20 of Flirting with Trouble

“I think it’s going fairly well. A group of women just tried to coerce me into being a professional cuddler. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.” I roll my shoulders back. “But with these arms, I guess it’s to be expected.”

“Why don’t you take off that jacket and let us be the judge of those arms?” Jillian suggests.

“Jillian,” Victory chides. “I think I hear Johnny calling you.”

“She wants to be alone with me,” I say, earning a glower. “You know, to network.”

“You really do need to meet Johnny. You two will hit it off.” Jillian looks at Victory and says, “When you’re done networking, you and Wells should come find us.”

“Mm-hm,” Victory says, and as soon as Jillian is out of earshot, she turns a serious stare on me. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Enjoying a party with the most beautiful woman here. You look radiant, by the way.”

“Thank you, but these are my business associates.”

“And relatives, apparently, but I know you’re happy to see me.”

She shakes her head, a smile curving her lips.

“Come on,” I coax. “I saw the look on your face when you first spotted me. Your heart beat a little faster, didn’t it? I bet you couldn’t help conjuring images of us between the sheets, could you?”

A challenge rises in her eyes. “It was the champagne I was lusting over, and I’m going to need a lot more of it if you’re staying.” She drains her glass.

“Oh, I’m staying, sweet thing. I want to see you in action. Fully dressed, professional action, of course.”

A warning hovers in her eyes. “If you’re going to stay, you need to behave.”

“Don’t worry. I can be as professional as the next guy. Nobody will know I’m your boy toy.” I lean in and whisper, “Even if I’ll be picturing you naked every minute we’re together.”

Her eyes flame, but her tone is sharp. “I mean it, Wells. Everyone who knows me knows I’m a widow, and I can’t tell you how many of them have either tried to set me up with someone or are uncomfortable around me at events where there are couples. No offense, but I don’t need people asking if we’re dating or assuming we are. You’re a great guy, but those are not questions or rumors I want to deal with.”

“I understand, and I’m sorry I was too playful with your cousin. I will not make that mistake again. The last thing I want is to make your life harder.”

“I hope you’re being sincere,” she says carefully.

“I am. I like spending time with you. I want to be the friend who makes you smile when you think about me. The one you have to share a joke with because you know I’ll get it, and the one you can lean on when you need to vent. If that means being a bit more buttoned-up, I can do that for you.”

“Thank you.”

And there it is, the genuine smile I can’t stop thinking about. “Sure thing. Now fill me in, so I appear to know more about you than the fact that you feel like heaven wrapped around my cock.”

“Wells.” She swats my arms, and we both laugh.

“Sorry, but it’s fun to rile you up. I had to get one last ribbing in.”

“I’ll rile that fine ass of yours right out the door,” she threatens.

“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep.”

She doesn’t respond, but her eyes narrow slightly. She’s so fucking cute, trying to be stern, but those gorgeous eyes give her away every time. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop messing around. Let’s go over there so we can talk.” I guide her out of the crowd, toward the railing that surrounds the rooftop, and snag two more flutes of champagne along the way. “Friends should know a little something about each other, and I don’t want to embarrass you, which means I need a little info. You’re here for Cage, right? How does that work? Are you his agent? How long have you repped him? Did he come to you for representation?”

“You sure you want to bother with all of this? I don’t think anyone will ask about that.”

“Yes. I like teasing you, but I meant what I said. I want to be the friend you can rely on in whatever situation arises, and I want to know what makes you, you. You’re here, and you came alone, which means Cage must be important to you. That makes your relationship with him important to me. As a friend, of course.”

“Okay.” She sips her champagne. “Now that I’m running the company, I don’t represent as many clients as I used to, for obvious reasons, but I still have a few, and I took over managing the clients that were most important to Harvey.”

“What made Cage so important to him?”