“Boyfriend, huh?” Jay murmured, amused. Raising his head, he addressed Priya. “No telling my girlfriend embarrassing stories about me, please.”
Priya smirked. “But there are so many to choose from. I need to do my sisterly duty. Nova, I’d love to join you, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Please. If you go up to my bedroom, Liana and Vesper should be there already. I just want to have a quick word with Jay before I join you.”
She nodded and excused herself. When we were alone, Jay backed us into the blue room, turning me around to face him.
Our eyes met, and butterflies erupted inside me.
Then he lowered his head, his lips touching mine.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” I sounded far too breathless already, and his lips curved against mine.
“I can’t fucking wait to make you lose your breath later tonight.”
His low, sexy rasp made me shudder against him, goosebumps pebbling on my skin as he slid his muscular thigh between mine. Running his hands down my back, he pulled me into him, palming my ass as he kissed me, the pressure of his thigh causing a delicious friction between my legs as he dragged me against him.
When he released my mouth, he swiped his tongue across his lips, and I blinked up at him, dazed and so turned on, sparks racing through my entire body.
Dark eyes met mine. “Mmm. Gorgeous.”
“Jay.” I buried my face in his neck, kissing his warm skin and feeling a growl rumble from his throat.
“Fuck, Nova.” He disentangled himself from me with clear reluctance, stepping back and adjusting his erection as his heated gaze drank me in. “We have duties. Go and have fun with your friends, while I play nice with the crime lords. After that? You’re all mine.”
47
JAY
Vodka. Cigars. Single malt whisky. The hours passed in an inescapable blur of syndicate bonding time, interspersed with games of poker. The stakes grew higher as the night went on, and I tapped out after the fourth round, leaving the card table on the pretence of getting another drink. Yeah, my family was rich, but not like the Thorpes and the Hoytons were, and none of us was near the level of the wealth the Volkovs enjoyed.
I hadn’t even touched any alcohol, and being one of the only sober people around an increasingly inebriated group of crime lords made the evening even more excruciating.
Taking my chance, I exited through the doors that led onto a small terrace. Leaning back against the stone wall, I inhaled the fresh air, banishing the second-hand smoke from my lungs.
“Everything okay, mate?”
Rolling my head to the side, I took in the sight of Dan leaning against the wall next to me, dressed in a thick puffer jacket. “Yeah. But are you? Where are you going?”
“It’s cold.” He blew out a heavy breath, a cloud of condensation appearing in the air. “See?”
“It’s not that cold. I’m not wearing a coat, and I’m okay.”
“Yeah, but your hoodie’s thick.”
“Daniel.”
“Alright, fine. I’m going to tie up some loose ends, if you must know.”
My brows rose. “Loose ends?”
“Yeah. You know, in case Operation Foxglove decides they wanna investigate the clinic. I’m going to make sure they don’t.”
I’d forgotten all about Operation Foxglove.
“How are you going to do that?”
