“Listen, Damon,” I say. He watches with a curious stare as I put my hand firmly on his collar, tugging him closer. He steps into me, letting me pull him down to level my mouth against his ear. “This is kind of forward, but I’d much rather get it out in the open sooner than later. I’m horny and lonely, and I really want to hook up with someone tonight. Are you up for it?”
He stiffens and pulls away.
Shit.
Damon’s eyes widen and his mouth drops open. “I-I… I don’t usually do that.”
“Hook up with someone you just met?”
He nods.
Oh.Well.
I try not to let my face fall, though I’m pretty sure it does anyway.
At least I asked, I guess.
Damon’s eyebrows furrow. “I thought we were only talking, then maybe going home with each other’s numbers.”
“What would you do with my number?”
“Ask you out on a date,” he says matter-of-factly.
Honestly, he’s so hot I almost take him up on the offer, but… I can’t. Going on dates isn’t my forte. One-night stands, though? Hooking up with a hot stranger to let out some stress?ThatI’mgood at. I’m perfect at it, actually. It’s too bad that’s not what he’s looking for.
I smile at him, not missing how his eyes track my fingers as I let go of his collar. “I don’t do dates,” I say. “Sorry. That’s my deal breaker.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “What if we hook up tonight and you find me irresistible enough to give me your number anyway?”
Hm.
Extremely tempting, honestly.
I shake my head. Sighing dramatically, I say, “I’m going to regret this because you’re hot as fuck, but no.”
“Right…”
I expect him to leave, but… he doesn’t budge. Damon stands right there, gazing intently at me. He doesn’t move at all, stiff as a statue, and I actually start to worry if he’s all right.
When he leans in, I automatically do the same.
Damon places his lips close to my ear, similar to how I had done. His breath is warm against my skin and his hair tickles my temple when he murmurs, “I wasn’t turning you down on yourproposal, Ellis. Just… negotiating your deal breaker.”
My heart jumps. That means…?
“Your place or mine?” he asks, voice low and husky.
A wicked grin spreads across my face. “I’m right down the street.”
I hop down from my stool and turn toward the door. Damon faces his friends and cocks his head toward the tray still on the counter. I’m not sure how they respond to that, though I pretend not to notice the way Damon flips them off. As soon as we step outside, humid air hits my lungs. Damon gives me a wide smile and puts an arm around me. His body heat against mine is scorching, and it’s about to get about a hundred times hotter with what I’ve got in mind, so who am I to complain?
His eyebrows crumple together when I swipe my access card to get us into the lavish condominium building where Dad’s penthouse is. Even when we get into the elevator and I press the topmost floor, his expression doesn’t relax. At least he hasn’t let go of me and his arm continues bracing me.
“Jesus, now I want to know what you do for a living,” he says.
“It’s actually my dad’s place.” As soon as I say that, his mouth drops, so I quickly follow it up. “He’s out of town, don’t worry. Like I said, I only got to the city today and I still have to go apartment hunting. I’m staying here until I find a place.”
The elevator opens to the penthouse, and Damon’s eyes practically bulge out at the high ceilings and sleek furniture. Since we’re not here to admire the interior design, I turn to push him, his back colliding with the wall, and his already-red cheeks turn even darker.
