When I look back, he doesn’t hesitate. He starts for me. I straighten my spine and look away taking another sip of my drink to help gather my nerves. My body heats as he nears, betraying me.
“Do you usually look like you’re being forced to attend gatherings like this?”
My eyes shoot to his and quickly change course. Big mistake.
“Are your pick-up lines usually insults?” He smirks.
“I just asked a question,” he says, and I look up, locking eyes with his.
“Ask better ones next time,” I reply. A glint of amusement sparkles in his hazel eyes.
“Usually, I don’t have to.” His gaze drifts down my body ever so slowly and deliberately, drinking me in. My body tenses at heat from his stare, but I try not to let it show.
“I can read people pretty well.” His eyes meet mine again, and he shifts slightly closer, commanding my attention.
“Is that so,” I whisper, not looking away. “You talk like you know me,” I say, emotion hinting its way through. His eyes continue their assault on mine, not easing in the slightest.
“I’m starting to.” That’s when I feel it. The heat of his gaze, to the electrifying pull of his closeness. If I move, I’m done for. This man will destroy me.
CHAPTER 10
Ledgar
Her body screamsfor me to consume her, but she steels it together. “I need to go check on my friend,” she says, gathering her belongings and walking away. She walks with composure and grace, her hips swaying deliciously from side to side. Watching her tonight has become my favorite game, and I never lose. I’m attracted to her in ways I can’t decipher myself yet, but I know she felt whatever this is between us. Her body gave her away no matter how hard she tried to fight against it.
She’s good at the game, I admit. But I’m better. It took everything in me not to drag her to the nearest room the moment she held my stare. No one has ever dared to look into my eyes. Let alone held them. Jarrell stops her near the exit, and that’s when I see it. The way she stands, like she doesn’t have the same last name he does. Like, she doesn’t deserve to be in the same vicinity as him. She steels herself the minute he starts speaking, the same way she did with me. That’s when the ache to know more of her hits me.
“Congratulations, Mr. Hartley,” a voice says, coming up to me, offering me his hand. I’m not sure who he is, but I saw Jarrell speaking with him earlier. Thanking him, he continues on his way, as I make my way over to my brother. He returned moments ago, looking as if someone had betrayed him.
“Want to talk about it?” I ask, casually.
“No,” he replies, firm and flat. Turning to me, before changing his posture completely.
“Do you?”
“No.” He reluctantly huffs a laugh.
“You’re a grown man,” he pauses, tipping his glass toward me. “But if you fuck this up, you will have me to deal with.”
He knows I’m not afraid of him. We both carry a demeanor that makes others think twice before responding to our demands. That’s how we get what we want. But this time, we’ve met our match with Jarrell Reith. He wasn’t as easy to break as some. He stood his ground and told us what we were going to do. I admire that. Hell, I even respect it. That’s why we became friends years ago. He wasn’t afraid to stand up to me and see me as an equal. Griffith needed a bit more convincing for this partnership, but over the years, I managed to persuade him to join. To my surprise, he pushed himself deeper into the deal, demanding more and taking it.
I scan the room again, finding her standing at the edge of the room, talking with Jarrell’s assistant. She looks as if she is about to break away at any moment. She wants to leave but hesitates. Something isn’t sitting right about her. Most are intimidated by my mere presence. Though when I flirted, she shot it down. When I moved in closer, she never faltered. And that’s dangerous. I’m used to getting my way, and something tells me being around her will be anything but easy. She glances my way, and if I blinked, I would’ve missed it. The faintest smile on her lips. It almost seems like she liked that she caught me watchingher. That’s the unshakable thought I’m left with as I watch her leave. She’s not going to be someone I can just fuck and forget. No, she’s the ultimate distraction.
CHAPTER 11
Payson
It’s beenthree weeks since the party. Three weeks since Kraig left for his business trip. Three weeks of nothing but a text here and there. Not one single phone call. Not one real conversation. Just texts that feel more like an excuse. Usually, sayingI miss you,or my favorite,I have to stay a few more days.Those few more days turned into a couple more weeks. And the rumors? They have continuously escalated into flat-out lies. Though lately it’s hard to decipher.
There is a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach telling me to wake up and smell the roses. Kraig’s office assistant seemed way too happy to give me the address of the hotel he has been staying at. It’s only a few hours away. Just far enough to stay if you were traveling late, but not far enough that he couldn’t come home on his days off.
I pull up Ashton’s number and type out a short text.
Me: You up for a road trip?
Ashton: Already grabbing my keys.
Me: Are you even going to ask where we are going?
