Best Friend's Ex Box Set

She tossed a piece of vegetable at me from across the counter and smiled that breathtaking smile of hers. I was rather glad that I had the counter to hide behind because everything about her was getting to me. The kitchen was heating up, and it had more to do with her than the heat from the stove.

I finished cooking, and we sat at the island on barstools, eating our dinner and discussing the upcoming week.

“Tomorrow and Thursday, we can plan to get together and go over all the details I have down on paper so you can start wrapping up the final schedule, get all of the accommodations together, and start working on the radio promotions and PR appearances for the tour.”

“That sounds great. I can’t wait to get started,” she smiled at me over her nearly empty glass of wine. I poured each of us a refill, starting to feel it just a little.

I watched her, overwhelmed by how beautiful and genuine she was. Not to mention how perfect she was going to be for the tour. This woman was the total package. She came across as being very level-headed and completely together. I had total confidence that she would really have everything under complete control. I was excited to get to work side-by-side with her over the next four months, prepping for the tour then going on the road with her. But I wasn’t looking forward to having to keep my promise to the band. The more I looked at her and the better I got to know her, the more difficult the idea of keeping that pact began to seem. Still, she was on board now, and I would just have to keep it together for four months. Then it was fair game.

Nalia looked up and caught me watching her. I just didn’t manage to look away fast enough. She tried to hide a smile by taking another sip of wine. I had a feeling she was feeling a little buzzed as well. Her eyes glistened brightly as she studied me, taking another bite of food.

“This salmon came out delicious,” she praised my culinary skills after she dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “Do you plan on cooking while we’re on the tour bus? Because I’m definitely in if you are.”

“I thought you said you were already in,” I teased.

“I am, but if the food is going to be this good? That’s a huge perk.”

I laughed. For her, I’d gladly cook. Unfortunately, on tour buses, there was usually extremely limited space in the kitchen. Because of this, there was usually a lot of eating at restaurants and fast food joints.

We finished up dinner and the first bottle of wine, so I took out another bottle, pouring us each another glass. I liked having Nalia there, and if I hadn’t been looking forward to the tour before, I certainly was now. We talked more about random things. She told me about her older brother, as well as her best friend Grace, whom I knew of from seeing commercials for the soap opera. We headed back upstairs to the balcony off the lounge and took our wine glasses with us.

“Oh!” Nalia let out a cute little squeak as she tripped in her heels. I caught her around the waist and helped her steady herself. I was guessing she was more than feeling the wine.

I held my arm out to help her as I led her to the edge of the balcony where there was an ideal view of the sun as it set. Everything was perfect out—the weather, the atmosphere, the temperature, the scenery, and the buzzing chemistry between us. She let out a little sigh and without realizing it, leaned against me a little for balance.

“It’s so beautiful.”

Having her so close and so comfortable there with me was more than enough to lower my defenses. I leaned in, my hand still on her hip,

and whispered in her ear, “You’re beautiful, Nalia.” I let my lips brush against her neck. Everything logical in me knew what I wanted was a bad idea, but logic didn’t seem to be enough at that moment to stop the words from spilling out. “Stay the night with me?” To hell with the pact.

She gasped and pulled away, the look on her face a bit more surprised than I’d expected.

I bit my lip. Had I misread things?

“You’re my boss,” she stated in a rather matter-of-fact tone. Her expression was hesitant, but she didn’t come across as repulsed by the idea.

“And?” I responded, figuring the worst she would say was no.

Chapter Fourteen

Nalia

I had no idea how to respond. Owen watched me intently, waiting in suspense for my reply, his breathing heavy enough that I noticed. Both of us had definitely had a considerable amount of wine, and as soon as I’d felt his lips brush against my skin, I’d felt an absolutely overwhelming desire to turn and press my lips to his. Hell, from the moment I’d laid eyes on him yesterday I’d wanted to.

Still, he was my boss…and as much as I hated to think of what my brother said about him possibly being true, in that moment, I realized there was definitely a chance Owen might be a player. But the way he was standing there, eyes focused on me, the warmth of his hands burning through the material of my skirt, well, there was no way I could deny that everything about him made me wet. This man was beautiful and sexy as hell, and I’d had a lot of wine. My mind was trying to argue, but the rest of me was screaming, “Fuck it. Just go for it!”

He took a step toward me and threaded a strong hand through the hair at the base of my neck. Moments later, the warmth of his lips were pressed against mine. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him gently closer and pressing our bodies together. Owen let out a soft groan, opening my mouth with his, his tongue flicking against mine, searching and hungry. His powerful arm came around my waist and squeezed me close so that I could feel the start of a growing bulge in his jeans. It made me whimper to feel the size of him, and I deepened the kiss as both of his hands moved to my ass.

“Mmm, Nalia. You’re so beautiful…and sexy…and....” He kneaded my ass in his large hands, then lifted me up. I was surprised at his strength, but wrapped my legs around his waist as he backed me up against one of the archways.

I moaned, rolling my hips against him, feeling him stiffen powerfully against me. I couldn’t believe I was doing this—and with him of all men. Still, in that moment, it didn’t matter. I just wanted Owen.

He slid me back down to my feet, smiling a dreamy smile at me, then took my hand, kissed my palm, and led me into his bedroom. As soon as we were inside, he was back on me, pulling my shirt off and planting hungry kisses over my neck and chest. I tugged at his shirt, and he hastily pulled it off for me, affording me a nice view of his sculpted upper body before he pulled me back against him, kissing me passionately.

“Come,” he instructed, his voice gruff with lust as he pulled me toward the bed. He backed me onto it and pushed my skirt up, slipping a hand between my thighs, stroking me through my panties.

With a moan, I bit teasingly at his bottom lip. I lifted my hips, letting him tug my panties off, which he did with eager haste. I was so wet it was a relief to have them gone, and I could tell by the appreciative smile against my lips he liked it. He slipped two fingers inside me, letting the pad of his thumb work my clit with gentle rhythmic strokes, each of which sent wave after wave of pleasure rippling through my body.