We knocked the last one back and Becca raised her hands – victorious. The others cheered and shouted, Trisha clapping loudly. I accidentally found myself ensnared in Rowan’s gaze. He smirked at me.
Everyone’s attention faded from us, and Becca turned towards me, leaning in. “So, for argument’s sake, say a certain personwasinterested in you – would you, y’know…” she trailed off and simply wiggled her eyebrows.
“I don’t know, I hadn’t really given it much thought. Not in a realistic setting, anyway.”
“Tsk, so unprepared,” Becca scolded, smiling.
I cocked an eyebrow at her. “How exactly should I have been prepared for this?” I paused. “I can’t do this, can I? It would be wrong.”
“I dunno,” Becca hedged. “I don’t see howyou’redoing anything wrong. You’re not the one who’s married—”
“With a daughter,” I interrupted, my mouth falling into a grim line. “I can’t Bec, it wouldn’t be right.”
“I guess.” She pouted. I watched as her eyes flickered over my shoulder briefly. “He’s still looking at you though.”
My neck grew hot, and I felt sweat break out on my brow. I sighed. “It doesn’t matter. It’s too messy. I’m not about that.”
Becca nodded sadly and then leant in, slurring already. “You’re too nice for your own good, you know.”
“Thanks, sweet.” I smiled at her, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I never took you for an emotional drunk.”
“Shut up.” She scowled with a grin and smacked my arm. “Come on, enough of this depressing talk. It’s a party.” She took a big swig from her cocktail glass to emphasise her point.
“Remember what I said about vomiting?” I nudged her.
Determined to keep myself out of trouble, I ignored Rowan. I ignored him ’til it hurt. I hadn’t even given myself a chance to check out what he was wearing. Instead, I distracted myself with drinks and laughing with Becca and Trisha.
Only when my vision was comfortably softened and my bones were numb, did I risk a look across to the older man, grateful that he was preoccupied, talking with John.
Rowan was wearing a dark shirt. The material seemed to hang and cling in all the right places, showing just enough muscle definition to get me hot, but not enough to be indecent. Without a tie, the neck was open, exposing the very top of his chest. I looked away, taking a long swig of my beer.
In my peripheral vision, I saw John excuse himself. Rowan was left unoccupied. I floundered, suddenly realising Becca was turned away too, talking to Trisha. There was a large, tension-filled gap between Rowan and me. I sucked on my beer once more, alarmed to see the bottle was almost empty and I would be left fidgeting for something else to preoccupy me.
As if reading my mind, I saw Rowan lean across the small table between us and I glanced up at him, meeting his gaze.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to you all night,” he shouted. “Having fun?”
“Yeah, sure. The club scene isn’t usually my bag but—”
Rowan shook his head. “Sorry, what? I didn’t catch that.”
I cleared my throat and attempted to repeat myself, but Rowan shook his head again and beckoned me over to join him on the sofa. I swallowed, hesitating a moment before moving to shuffle around the table and slid into John’s seat beside him.
“Sorry, it’s so loud in here,” Rowan chuckled. I felt his breath ghost across my neck and my stomach clenched.
“Yeah, I was just saying the club scene isn’t really my thing,” I replied. “John won’t mind me stealing his seat, will he?”
“I think you could steal hiscarand John wouldn’t mind right now. Surely you noticed how drunk he is?” Rowan replied and I grinned.
I leant in, my cheek accidentally pressing against Rowan’s. I hadn’t noticed how close he was to me. Aided by the copious amount of vodka I had consumed, I brazened past it, ignoring the desire that flickered to life inside me. He was always clean shaven, but there was no denying the roughness of faint stubble, grating against my own. “He’s looking a bit worse for wear, isn’t he? Not that I can talk.”
“Having a good night, I take it?” Rowan asked, his voice low and gravelly.
“I’ve had worse evenings,” I retorted. Without thinking about it, my eyes dropped to his mouth. I ripped them away quickly, praying Rowan hadn’t noticed. Feeling suddenly foolish, I finished my beer and got to my feet. “I’m going to get another drink.”
Rowan nodded, leaning back against the sofa as I shuffled awkwardly past him.
“Max, wait!” I heard Becca shout. “Are you getting a drink?”
