: Chapter 8
I fumble my key after fishing it from my purse, and it clatters to the ground. Xander stoops to pick it up for me, which I’m eternally grateful for because my head is spinning and I’m not sure I could have bent down without falling over. I rarely drink at all, and I must have consumed almost an entire bottle of Dom by myself. I chalk it up to nerves. I mean, who wouldn’t be nervous sitting with three of the richest, most powerful men in the country? And they were definitely flirting with me. Even if it was only to have a little fun at my expense, the memory of their teasing has me squeezing my thighs together to quell the throbbing ache.
Xander’s fingers brush mine when he hands me my key, and a jolt of electricity shoots up my arm. I stare up at him. “So damn handsome it should be illegal.”
He chuckles, and I realize I said my thoughts aloud. Staring up into his deep blue eyes, I exhale a dreamy sigh. He’s been the perfect gentleman all night, even while he sat next to me on the ride here. It doesn’t make sense for him to be interested in a girl like me, but … the way he looks at me. As though he might be interested in something more, if only for tonight. And I so need to blow off steam.
Leaning against the doorframe for support and trying to look as sexy as possible, I clear my throat before any more of my thoughts spill from my lips. “You want to come in for a beer?”
He bites on his beautiful lip and shakes his head.
Dammit. Of course he doesn’t. I look at the floor to hide the embarrassment burning my cheeks, but he cups my chin, tilting my head until I’m staring into his hypnotic eyes once more. “Don’t think for a second it’s because I don’t want to, shorty.”
I blink at him. Champagne is clouding my senses. “So what is it?”
He takes a half step forward, closing the distance between us until our bodies are mere inches apart. My pulse throbs against my skin. My legs tremble. My breath hitches. I feel like I’m standing too close to the sun and I’m about to get burned. He dusts the pad of his thumb over my lips. “Because you’re drunk and it’s taking all of my goddamn restraint not to slip my hand inside your panties and find out how wet you are, Lily.”
My heart races into overdrive. Holy fucknuggets, I’m definitely going to pass out.
His lips are so close to my ear that his breath ruffles my hair. “I’m hanging on by a fucking thread here, shorty. So don’t ask me again, because if you do, you’re likely going to be bent over something real fast and I’ll be balls-deep in your sweet pussy before you have a chance to change your mind.”
Molten heat sears between my thighs and coils deep in my core, making me gasp. Without any further thought, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to me, sealing my lips over his. He groans, his hands sliding to my ass and yanking me forward, our bodies so close that his hard cock pushes into my stomach. God, he’s huge. I curl my fingers in his thick hair, and he slides his tongue against mine, possessive and dominating as he takes control. My head spins. My pussy throbs. I shut my eyes and lose myself in the delicious pleasure of his kiss. It’s incredible. He tastes of Scotch and fire and fresh air, and I want more. But all too soon, he pulls back, leaving me breathless and needy.
He takes my key from my hand and unlocks the door, then pushes it wide open. Taking a step away, he passes me my key back. “Go inside, Lily,” he says in a low, commanding growl.
I sway on my feet. I should do what he says. If I beg him to come in with me, I’ll only regret it in the morning. Better to remember that perfect kiss for the rest of my life. I step inside Jen’s apartment, my eyes not leaving his. I don’t want whatever this is to end.
“I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow night,” he reminds me.
I’d forgotten about that. I thought they were kidding around. “But where?”
He winks at me. “We’ll be in touch, shorty. Now go get some sleep.”