“Nope. Just enjoying a night out with my friend.”
“Because if meat is what you’re looking for…”
I smacked his abs playfully, but I could feel how hard his body was underneath his shirt. Note to self, keep your hands at your sides at all times, for your own safety.
“Is this how you meet women? You go stalking at clubs looking all sexy at midnight?”
“Not generally. This is the first time I’ve been inside a club—unless it was for an event I had to attend—in years.”
“Where do you meet women then?”
“Various places.”
“That’s specific.” I lifted a brow.
“Okay. Let’s see... The last woman I went out with I met on a flight from California.”
“Was that Bridget?”
“No.”
“Where did you meet Bridget?”
“A party.”
“Work party?”
The waitress brought our drinks, and Chase gulped half his glass.
“Thirsty?”
“Just trying to take the edge off.”
“So…Bridget. What kind of a party?”
“I’d prefer not to talk about other women when I’m sitting here with you.”
“Okay. What would you like to talk about then?”
“Why don’t we start with all the things I thought about doing to you tonight?” His gaze slid down my face and took its time as it appreciated my body in the form-fitting little black dress I wore.
Watching him look at me with all that hunger weakened my resistance.
I swallowed. “Chase…”
He responded by lifting my hand and bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. “How much have you had to drink tonight?”
“Enough.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not a man who takes advantage only because Peppermint Schnapps has relaxed a woman’s uncertainty.”
It was my turn to gulp from my glass. I was feeling lightheaded, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol. “So are you saying that no matter what I say or do, you won’t be sleeping with me tonight””
The heat in his eyes said otherwise. “That’s right.”
I smiled devilishly. “That sounds like a challenge. Dance with me.”
Chapter 17
Reese
I woke to a nibble on the shell of my ear. What the…
Last night. Last night. Oh my God. Did I? Panicked, I momentarily froze in bed as I wracked my hungover brain, trying to remember the end of the evening. I was never so relieved when a paw smacked me in the jaw.
“Jesus…” I grumbled, turning to find Tallulah licking my ear and swatting my face. I pulled the sheet over my head, blocking Ugly Kitty access. Undeterred, she climbed on top of me and settled on my chest.
“Meow.” She nuzzled at the sheet hiding me.
I attempted to lift my head, but it hurt too much. “What? What do you want?”
“Meow.”
“Ugh.” Even her tiny cry hurt. I would have sworn there was a little drummer getting warmed up inside my skull. There was no rhythm to the pounding, just a hammer whaling against the bass, then the snare, followed by a few slams of the cymbals. Ugh.
What the hell did I drink last night?
I remembered Chase showing up, and dragging him out onto the dance floor so I could rub my body against his and tempt his willpower. Oh God. I’d made it a game—see if I could get Chase to give in.
We’d laughed over shots of disgusting Peppermint Schnapps, and Christian and Jules had eventually joined in. The two of them were looking mighty cozy, I remembered. Things got a bit fuzzier after that.
There was the cab ride home.
I remembered being tired.
So tired.
I just needed to close my eyes for a bit, put my head down to rest while we drove across town.
My head.
So sleepy.
I’d rested it all right. In Chase’s lap.
I remembered he’d woken me. When I’d lifted my sleepy head, I’d brushed against the crotch of his pants.
Oh God.
He was hard. And I made a comment about it. Awesome.
Chase had helped me out of the car and told the cabbie to keep the meter running.
The elevator had taken forever. When we stepped inside, I leaned against his chest and took a deep breath, smelling him up close.
Oh God.
I told him he smelled good enough to eat.
I suggested he purchase a cabin in the woods and chop wood shirtless.
His arms were wrapped tight around me as we walked toward my apartment. In hindsight, I might have actually needed the support to walk.
We’d arrived at my door.
I vaguely remembered wrapping my arms around his neck and inviting him in. He smiled and shook his head.
“There’s nothing I’d like more than to come inside. And I mean that in more ways than one.” He’d kissed the top of my head.
The top of my head!
“But not this way. Get some sleep.” Taking my keys from my hand, he’d opened all of my locks and waited for me to go inside.
The last things I remembered were his arms over his head as he leaned against the doorframe and him saying, “We’ll finish this game next week. Things are going to be a lot more fun around the office, that’s for damn sure.”