Page 123 of Dream Chaser

God. What the hell was I thinking? Reality broke through the drunken haze. I cut the call just as Scarlett stepped out of the cubicle and headed for the sink.

She rubbed her hands under the stream of water. “God, I look like shit, and it’s not even midnight.”

I snorted. “Please. You look amazing.”

She wet her finger and wiped under her eye. “Uh-huh. You’re more drunk than I realized if you think that. Look at this mess. Waterproof, my ass.”

“Definitely don’t let me drink anymore.” I handed her the clutch and my phone. “For safekeeping. Hold it while I pee, or I’ll end up leaving another voicemail for my boss.”

Scarlett’s brows rose. “I was only away for two minutes!”

“Long enough. Wait for me.”

I ducked into an empty stall, still unsteady from the drinks. When I finished, Scarlett was leaning against the vanity, frowning at my phone.

“Did Preston call again?” I asked.

Her head snapped up, eyes widening. “Again? What do you mean, again?”

“I saw a missed call,” I said. “Which I obviously didn’t return, if that’s what worries you.”

Scarlett high-fived me. “That’s my girl. Keep ignoring him.”

“So,” I said, shoving my hand under the soap dispenser, “why did you have that odd look on your face?”

She stared at me blankly. “What look?”

But there it was—a light blush coating her cheeks. A hint of mischief in her eyes.

“Scar.” I sighed. “What the hell did you do?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Alejandro

January

Multicolored strobes pulsed in sync with the music at Onyx, highlighting the packed dance floor. My need to see Nova brought me home early, and that need had only increased when the plane had landed, and I’d gotten her voicemail. I’d only missed her by a minute, but now I was here, in the same place as her.

Faces blurred into one. I scanned the crowd, heart racing with the anticipation of seeing the woman I was here for. The one I hadn’t stopped thinking about since that night in Sierra Nevada.

The overhead lights blinked, purple shifting into silver, and an achingly familiar face appeared. She moved her hips to the sensual beat—eyes closed, a smile on her lips. A light blue dress draped over her curves, dousing me in a different kind of heat, making me want to touch her. Feel her. Make her mine.

I kept my gaze glued to her as I pushed through the mass of sweaty bodies. The DJ lowered the music. Nova’s friend handed her a glass of champagne, pointing to the DJ’s station.

Number ten appeared on the screen behind it. The countdown.

Nine. I squeezed through the cluster of people, my heart hammering my ribcage.

Eight.

Nova turned her head, and her eyes caught mine. One more step, and I was in front of her. Breathless. So fucking rattled I struggled to think.

Her lips twitched. “Boss!” she squealed, launching herself straight into my arms, the champagne in her glass splashing over the rim.

I pressed her to me, burying my nose in her hair. One whiff of her flowery scent, and I was done for. Ready to confess everything. Do anything she wanted.

“Three!” someone beside us yelled. Nova’s friend raised her glass, then winked at me.