Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
He nodded, needing the time to pull himself together as well. “I’ll wait for you at the bar.”
Derek headed in that direction, catching sight of Claire’s two girlfriends watching him, their heads close together as they talked. They’d probably witnessed everything that had happened between himself and Jessica out on the dance floor—not that he gave a damn.
Withdrawing his phone, he typed out a text to Asher. Would you mind dropping off Maddie and Avery when you and Nikki leave? Jessica had too much to drink and I’m taking her home.
Less than a minute later, Asher replied. I’ll take them, but now you fucking owe me again. PS: Looks like you staked that claim.
Asher was such an asshole for pointing out his possessive behavior, Derek thought with a shake of his head.
As for owing him . . . their debt kept going back and forth. This past summer, Derek had convinced Asher to take Nikki to his private island after her scandal by reminding Asher of a favor Derek had once done for him. Asher helping Nikki had ended up very well for them both, in Derek’s mind, making them even. Now Derek owed Asher again.
He refused to touch the claim-staking comment. Not when his head was still spinning from their time on the dance floor.
Instead, Derek texted back, I’m sure you’ll make me pay, and pocketed his cellphone.
He ordered a glass of water from the bartender for Jessica and kept an eye on the ladies’ room, that hot kiss in the forefront of his mind. Along with the fact that he’d not just initiated it, he’d been reluctant to end it.
He no longer had to ask himself what he was doing with Jessica. He wanted her and was done trying to thwart their mutual attraction. He’d just have to live with the consequences of his actions—his relationship with her brother, his friend and business partner—later. Because watching Jessica tonight had enlightened him. What he wanted with Jessica was more than just sex, and she was worth any risk that came with pursuing her.
But there was also no way he’d do anything beyond that dance floor kiss when she was as intoxicated as she was tonight. And he had no doubt his little spitfire wouldn’t be taking his decision well.
Chapter Twelve
Jessica finished up in the restroom, and as she was washing her hands, she glanced up and saw her reflection in the decorative mirror above the sink. Her cheeks were a rosy hue, due in no small part to the deep, demanding kiss Derek had shockingly planted on her lips. She pressed her hands to her hot cheeks, her senses reeling. From his possessive behavior when he’d chased off her dance partner to his desire to leave the club with her now, she was facing an entirely different Derek.
And now that he’d kissed her again, she wasn’t going to let him backpedal or claim that keeping his hands to himself was the right and respectful thing to do. She was done with the noble and honorable Derek. She wanted the possessive, dominant one. She’d already bought his full attention this weekend, but his actions on the dance floor had nothing to do with the auction and everything to do with their mutual attraction. In her mind, a fun, sexy little hookup wasn’t going to hurt anyone.
All she wanted was one night of incredible pleasure with the man she’d had a crush on since she’d been a teenager. No one had to know about their affair but the two of them, which eliminated any concern he might have about her brother—as his best friend or business partner. It wasn’t like she was asking for a commitment of any kind, and she was more than capable of keeping their fling a secret.
She dried off her hands with a few paper towels, amused by the fact that Derek believed she was drunk. Yes, it was true that she’d had about five drinks throughout the evening. Two cocktails until she had a nice little buzz to start off the night, then the rest all nonalcoholic.
She was actually quite coherent, something she wasn’t ready to reveal to Derek just yet. She’d rather have some fun with the fact that he believed she was tipsy, which allowed her a bit of freedom to be more brazen and uninhibited on the drive home. She was going to get a little handsy and ramp up the flirtation, she thought, smiling to herself. She’d tease him, tempt him, and let him squirm, trying to deflect her sexy advances until he could no longer resist her.
She fluffed her hair with her fingers, readjusted the neckline of her camisole so the top swells of her breasts were on display, then strolled back into the club and toward the bar where he said he’d be waiting.