Forbidden Lust

“Where is he anyway?” Pepper asked.

“He knew he couldn’t come here,” Jake added.

“Hell, no,” I spat out, the pitch of my voice higher than usual.

“He’s at another party.”

Phew.

“Have you returned his calls? He said he’s been trying to call you all day,” Pepper asked.

“No. Why would I?”

“He’s miserable. Maybe just hear the guy out.”

“Not a chance.”

“I have to agree with Grace,” Pepper said, and her comment surprised me. “The guy’s a class A dickwad, but you should still speak to him, at least tell him to fuck off and end the relationship once and for all.

“I’ll think about it.” Turning to Dane and Jake, I said, “Anyway. I hope we can all still be friends.”

“Of course, Lourde.” Dane nudged me, his strength nearly tipping me over while Jake smiled.

* * *

Needing some fresh air and some time away from overly affectionate couples, I walked outside past the pool toward the handrail, soaking in the warm breeze and soothing ocean.

“Pretty girls shouldn’t be out here on their own.”

Barrett’s low voice pulled me out of my haze. He handed me a champagne flute and slid beside me, staring out at the sea.

“Is that so? Sorry, I didn’t expect this many people here. I only invited a few, and word got around.”

“I don’t think it was all you're doing.” He turned, his gaze settling on Connor, who was in his element with his group of friends in the corner of the living room.

“Why aren’t you with them?” I asked, noticing his toned golden forearms resting on the metal handrail.

“Socialites aren’t my thing.”

I raised my eyebrow. He was kidding, right? He, Connor, Ari, and Magnus—before he got married—had women hanging off their arms every weekend.

“Socialites with an agenda,” he clarified.

“Ah.” Made sense.

“And those girls have an agenda. I’m straight up with women. I get what I need, and so do they.”

I rolled my eyes. “So romantic, Barrett.”

“Fuck romance, Lourde. Look where that got you.” His stern voice leveled me. His gaze pierced a hole in my exterior.

“Guess you’re used to gentlemen.”

“Of course.” I swallowed down the thickness lining my throat. “But look how far that got me.”

“Maybe I ought to be more like you. Romance and me go like kryptonite to Superman.”

He laughed, shaking his head. His hair tossed with the stiff breeze that rode to shore.

Maybe you could be the distraction I need.

“You’re romance overload, Lourde. I bet you have Mr. Darcy tucked underneath your pillow.”

“Are you daring me to be bad, Mr. Black?”

“You don’t know what bad is.” His voice was low and steady, calling to my insides.

“Maybe you can show me,” I whispered straight back.

He tilted his head down, and his lips were close to mine. Dark eyes held mine in a trance, completely oblivious to the party going on around us. After a beat, he opened his mouth to speak. “Not a chance,” he said, then walked away.

Asshole.

* * *