I turn to see Elliot sitting to our right. He nods his head at me in greeting.
“Why do you call me Pixie?” I frown. “Is it my ears?” I run my fingers over the tops of them consciously.
Elliot and Mason look at each other before throwing their heads back, laughing. Confused, I look to Charlie, who’s sat on the bench seat opposite us with the other man I saw earlier.
“Ignore them,” Charlie mutters, shaking his head.
“No, Nina, it’s not your ears,” Mase whispers, his lip tipping up on one side as he tries to control his laugh.
Lucy and Megan arrive at the table, setting down a tray of shots. “Nina, care to introduce us to your new friends.” Lucy winks at Elliot knowingly.
“Actually, we’ve already met. I drove you home Friday night, but I don’t expect you to remember,” Mason teases.
“Of course, I remember.” She fakes a smile. “Tequila?” she offers to the group, passing around the tray.
“Ladies, this is Lance,” Charlie announces, introducing the man to his right. He looks like he’s just come from work in his immaculate three-piece suit. He has dark hair cut short all over and a perfectly groomed beard coating his chiselled jaw. Dark ink peeks out from his collar and cuffs. The rugged look is definitely working for him.
“This is Megan and Lucy.” He gestures to the girls.
“And you must be Nina?” he presumes, looking towards me.
“I’m her.” I smile, leaning forward to shake his hand. His grip is solid, his large palm wrapped tightly around mine.Alright, asshole.I pull my hand away with a frown.
“It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Oh, really?” I say, still trying to get a gauge on him. “Mase hasn’t mentioned you before.”
“That’s because you spend most of the time running from me,” Mason says, nuzzling into my neck.
I lean back slightly to look down at him, appreciating how edible he looks tonight. He’s wearing a black shirt that fits him like a glove, drawing attention to his solid shoulders. His hair is styled in a perfect mess, making me want to run my fingers through it.
His eyes crease at the corners as he looks at me just as intently, the most beautiful smile taking over his face as he realises we’re both staring. He squeezes my hip, looking up at me tenderly and making my stomach dip.
I turn to find our friends deep in conversation. All but Charlie. He sits watching the two of us. His brows are drawn in as he sits deep in thought. He smiles when we lock eyes, and it’s a warm, genuine smile that brings a grin to my face.
“Charlie seems like a gentle soul,” I whisper to Mase.
“He hasn’t always been that way,” he says quickly, without thought. “He’s a ruthless lawyer by day.”
“Really? A lawyer! He doesn’t seem like he has it in him.”
“What?! You should see him in action. You wouldn’t be saying that then.” He smirks.
“He seems too nice.” I shrug.
“What about me? What do you think I do?” he asks.
“Other than following me around the city, causing me more issues than pleasure?” I roll my eyes. “I’d say… maybe a car salesman.”
His lip twitches in amusement. “Ah, you got me. How did you know?”
“Bad haircut. Cheap suit.”
He laughs as his hand glides up my thigh, inching higher and higher until he brushes the lace of my underwear, then leisurely returning to my shin. “Maybe I should quit and focus more of my time on your pleasure.”
“I don’t know… I wouldn’t want to get you into trouble with the boss.” I smile.
“Nina, come on, we’re dancing!” Megan grabs my hand, pulling me from Mase’s lap.
