“Now that I have met you, I am a changed woman.” She said cheekily; his mouth quirked at the corners. He thanked the waiter when he returned his card.
“Well, I have repaid the debt of your spilled drink and now I hope you enjoy the rest of your night.”
She nearly choked on her next sip when he dismissed her. “Wait, that’s it? No more conversation, leading us to fall into bed together?”
He had sucked in a breath. Interest flickered across his gaze before a curtain closed off the emotions in his eyes and she couldn’t read him. “I don’t get involved with young women who are barely past eighteen.”
Before he could walk past her, Sierra set down her drink and stroked her fingers down his arm. “Well, so much for you reading up on me properly.” She gave him a pouty look. “I have just turned twenty.”
“I didn’t read up on you.” She staggered back, dramatically, feigning hurt, then gasped when his lips did that jerk again. “I just heard your name in passing from the guests here tonight. He dipped his head. “Let’s just say I will be staying far away from you and trouble. Have a good night, Sierra.”
The way he said her name sounded like a caress to her ears and she could not let him walk away. “Wait.” Sierra had surged toward him again. “You still owe me, and a drink is not enough.”
Jacob then frowned, leaning away from her. “Listen, I don’t owe you anything. I am a grown man that can handle his own business.”
She hid a smile at his disgruntled tone and dipped her head in acknowledgement; her thoughts raced as Sierra searched for an excuse to keep them together a bit longer. “I don’t have a ride home?”
“Your father is here and can take you back home.” He sounded exasperated by that point.
“No, he left. Look around the room. He is gone and I am not sure where he is,” Sierra lied, opening her eyes wide as she’d practiced in the mirror to make herself look innocent. No doubt her father had gone to a private room somewhere, probably having a smoke. One of his friends had come back from a trip to Cuba and brought him his favorite brand.
He shot her a doubtful look again and she almost narrowed her eyes, annoyed he wasn’t folding like putty into her hands. No matter how guarded he was, however, Sierra always got what she wanted, and if she had to manipulate him to get it, then so be it.
“I will call you a car service or cab—” She nearly let out a growl of frustration at his continued refusal. But before Sierra had the chance to argue, Mrs. Bridgewater’s voice cut between them.
“Now, where were we? You were about to offer me a lift to where I was staying and now, I really need to go. My dress is a mess.”
Sierra noticed his body language shift from guarded to stiff. A fleeting look of annoyance had crossed his face before he schooled his features and turned to the brunette.
“Mrs. Bridgewater—”
“Now, what would my husband think when he finds out I asked you for a ride and you put me in a cab instead?” Mrs. Bridgewater held a relaxed smile on her face, but there was a hint of insistence in her voice. “Isn’t he an important client of your grandfather?”
Their brief interactions told Sierra that Jacob Norris could not be blackmailed, so she pivoted her approach and use the situation to her advantage.
“Oh, this is nice, we can all travel together. Jacob has offered to give me a ride home since my father had to leave to attend to business and left me stranded without my phone or purse.” Her reasoning wasn’t wholly untrue; she never brought her purse with her when attending these functions because her father took care of everything, or she just flirted and someone else would cover the bill.
“Ohhh, umm—” Mrs. Bridgewater stared at her in surprise, then frowned. “You’re the one that spilled your drink on me.”
Sierra could have laughed; it seemed the brunette was sharper than she thought. Mrs. Bridgewater stared at Sierra, horrified, then she turned on Jacob.
“I don—”
Sierra interrupted with a loud yawn before lithely slipping one arm through Jacob’s and the other through Mrs. Bridgewater’s. “Let’s go, it’s been a long day, hasn’t it? And I don’t know about you, but I’m in need of a good bed.” She tilted a sly grin at Jacob; his icy blue eyes held a warning.
He leaned down. “You are playing messy games, little girl, and you are not going to like the outcome.”
“Be nice. I am sure I will like this outcome very much.” She responded from the side of her mouth. He let out a frustrated sigh, and she firmed her lips together to keep from laughing.
Mrs. Bridgewater and Sierra had waited in terse silence as Jacob went to get the valet. As the car rolled up, Sierra hurried over and opened the back passenger seat for Mrs. Bridgewater. She did not argue, only glaring at Sierra before taking her seat. Mrs. Bridgewater was dropped off first and she offered no further remarks to Jacob, huffing with every movement of getting out of the car and slamming the door to punctuate her exit.
“Not even a thank you. Rude.” Sierra muttered. Jacob’s masculine chuckle lured her gaze to him. His face had relaxed, emphasizing his gorgeous features. She couldn’t help but stare at him. The car engine rumbled as they stared at each other, and before long, she couldn’t help herself, lifting her hand and tracing her fingertips around the edges of his mouth. His eyes were even darker in the car.
He took her hand and lowered into her lap. He pulled away from her and shoved the car in reverse. “Jacob—”
“Whatever you want to happen, won’t. Yes, I am very attracted to you, but that is it. I don’t do one-night stands and that is all this would ever be. You are trouble, and it looks like you still have a lot of growing up to do.”
His words had cut deep. She sat back in her seat, surprised and hurt for the first time in a long time. Silence enveloped the car until they turned down a wooded lane. When he realized her given coordinates were fake, Jacob pulled over, cursing. He turned to face her, furious. “Sierra—”
