“Wow, are you rich or something?” she whistles, eyes wide. “Whatever. Men who aren’t scared to empty their pockets are cool.”
The blonde woman, whose attire is more masculine than the other two, nods at Aoi. “Amira said she’s going to take a booth. I’ll take Sally, the yapper, with me so you two can talk in peace. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay, thank you.”
She gives me a mean once-over and walks away with Sally hooked around her arm. The latter waves at me gleefully before recomposing herself.
I’m glad Bellami has made it a rule that the music in his club cannot be blasted to the point people can’t even hear each other talk. That way I can listen to Aoi’s melodic voice without having to shout.
“You have nice friends.”
He chuckles and scratches the back of his nape. “Yeah, they’re the absolute best. By the way, I can afford a few drinks, you know? I don’t need you to pay for us.”
“No respectable gentleman would ever let his beloved pay for anything.”
“Beloved?”
“Does the term bother you?” I ask, swallowing the sudden lump in my throat.
He shakes his head, wetting his lips. “Quite the opposite.”
“Really?”
“Why’re you so surprised?”
I chuckle nervously, losing myself in his eyes. “I sort of expected you to tell me to ‘respectfully fuck off’.”
He shrugs. “I’m feeling charitable today.”
“Fuck, you’re something else,” I groan, grinning foolishly.
“I didn’t think I’d meet you here,” he says, looking out of place and yet in his element under the party lights as music plays from the speakers.
“I didn’t expect you to leave me onReadagain, but surprisingly, you did,” I tease, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear.
His eyes don’t leave mine as he bites his lower lip, and I swear I must have an iron resolve for not jumping his bones right now.
“Would you believe me if I said that I freaked out again?” he mutters sheepishly, and I cup his cheek, stroking it with my thumb. “I was going to text you back, but then I got busy with work and the girls so...”
“I’d wait an unimaginable time for you to reply.” I’ve waited ten years for a chance to be so close to him. A few hours won’t change much. “Don’t worry about it.”
The smirk spreading over his lips sends my better judgment out of the window as I grin and lean next to his ear. “If you keep looking at me like that, I might just steal you from your friends and hide you in my penthouse forever.”
Did I take it too far? What face is he making?
I lean away to observe his reaction, andMother of God, my pants are suddenly way too tight.
Ohfuck.
I’m so unbelievably fucked.
His lips are parted while his eyes awe at me with so much lust I nearly throw him over my shoulder and bring him home with me. His hand glides over my covered abs with liquid delight, then he shakes his head.
“You’re playing with fire, Andrew,” he says breathlessly, and I know he’s holding back from kissing me. “You’ll burn yourself if you’re not more careful.”
“Maybe I enjoy a bit of heat,” I taunt and watch as his nostrils flare and eyes fog up, but that is soon replaced by surprise when an annoying voice approaches from behind me.
“Aoi, baby. What are you doing here? Stalking me?” Aiden cockily asks, pushing past me and hugging Aoi like it’s his right. “I knew you’d miss me.”
