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I grin…and maybe squeeze my thighs together at the rough tenor of his voice. I turn, realizing then that all the women in the room are staring at me, wearing confused smiles. “I’m teasing. Listen, I can’t chat; the girls just got here.”
He sighs heavily, the air escaping his lungs crackling down the line.
“It was a joke,” I murmur, turning away from my audience.
“But it’s not really,” he replies softly.
“You,” I say with genuine affection. “Only you.”
I can picture him standing in his office, facing the Boston skyline, holding the phone up to his ear. Looking serious and rubbing his thumb along his bottom lip roughly. And then breaking into a small smile as he responds, “Only you, Kitten. Have a good night.”
I click off and hold the phone to my heart, a warmth filling my chest. I’m falling for him. Hard.
“Hey,” Mia says softly. When I turn, she’s headed my way with her arms outstretched.
“Hi, sorry about that.” I lean into her for a hug. “It was just…”
She eyes me. “Jay,” she says. Like I’d be an idiot to think she didn’t know already.
I can’t hold back my smile. “Yeah.”
“Let me guess,” she cocks a hip, “he’s not thrilled about you going out with me.”
Tilting my head, I study her expression. There’s a glimmer of hurt hidden below the teasing. She’s wearing a pair of black leather pants, like every other girl in the room, with a low-cut bright red top that highlights her perky breasts. Dark eyeshadow, glossy lips, and light blush finish off her look but do nothing to hide her true emotions.
I pull her in for another hug. “I missed you,” I say, surprised by how true the statement is. Seeing her again, after taking time apart to wrap my head around the change in our relationship now that we’re older and living in the same area again, brings so many good memories and positive emotions to the forefront of my mind.
“What is this place?” Mia whispers as she turns a slow circle.
“My family’s penthouse,” I admit.
Mia narrows her eyes at me, but before we have time to discuss it further, her friend interrupts. “This place is amazing. I’m Vanessa, by the way,” she says with a small wave.
“I’m Cat,” I say to the pretty brunette. “You guys want champagne?”
The blonde who arrived with Vanessa and Mia smiles. “Yes, please. I’m Nikki, by the way.”
I pour three more glasses while Sophie introduces herself.
“Where are we going tonight?” Vanessa asks.
I look at Sophie and smirk. “Anywhere but Rebel.”
* * *
Shots line the bar,and the tattooed bartender with a killer jawline and musclesI’m pretty sure could never fit in a suit raises his eyes to mine in challenge.
I throw back the shot, and when it tastes exactly like apple pie, I try my darndest to hide my surprise. He points to me. “I told you!”
I can’t help but laugh. He so did. I don’t do shots. That’s what I said when Mia forced us to the bar and ordered a round. Sure I’d get away with passing on the liquor, I told her that unless it tasted like chocolate cake or apple pie, I wasn’t having one. Who makes shots that taste like freaking apple pie?
This dude. That’s who.
I swipe my tongue through the dollop of whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon in a second shot glass. Freaking delicious. When I look up from all but making out with the glass, two sets of eyes are homed in on me. Mia and the bartender.
“Okay, okay. It’s good,” I admit.
He folds his arms over his chest proudly. “What are the chances you’ll agree to go out with me tomorrow night?”
