Addicted

It was the first glimpse I'd gotten of the sarcastic, sensitive beauty that said there was more to her than a silly college girl with a chip on her shoulder. I witnessed a woman with the need for an emotional risk, the desire to spill herself out on a bed and cry out in pleasure. A chill ran down my spine. I wanted to offer all of it to her.

I downed my drink as my mind fragmented, turning our average, calm conversation into something edgy within seconds. She aged herself by a few years with the way she watched me and nursed her drink.

"Then what are you looking for, Vivian?" I turned to face her and lifted my cup back to my lips, taking in a piece of ice and rolling it around my mouth as I turned my full attention on her.

"Call me Viv." She rested her glass on her knee and inhaled deeply as she glanced out the window. "A thrill to remind me that life's going to go on. A high that leaves me breathless. An affair that pulls me in deeper than I've ever been."

I swallowed hard and was rather grateful that she was looking out the window and not at me. I crossed my legs and shifted away from her, not wanting her to notice just how much our conversation had turned me on. If we were in a bar and she was alone, she would be mine for a night, at least. That she was hurting put her off limits. I wasn't anyone's savior, but something about the beauty next to me wanted me to change that. I wanted to take a risk just to feel the things she explained so perfectly.

"So make sure you go dancing, eat at the best restaurants Miami has to offer, and get in a day of parasailing or hang-gliding. That should cover everything on your list, except the sex."

"Sex?" She turned her attention back to me. "Was sex on my list?"

Her cheeks colored, and I had no doubt that mine did as well. It was getting harder to breathe, but I had my facade locked into place. Being a businessman for the last two and half years had taught me good and well how to keep up a poker face. There was no way I was letting her know just how badly she affected me.

Beautiful, smart and cheeky as hell?

She was scoring a hundred and fifty in my book. Too bad the scale only went to ten.

Chapter 5

Vivian

Sex? I didn't remember mentioning sex. I wasn't the type of girl who would casually talk about sex with a random guy. Hell, I didn't even talk about sex with Casey.

I took a long drink from my glass and watched him, trying to figure out how the hell I was going to backtrack enough to get us out of what could possibly become an awkward conversation.

"I assumed by affair you meant sex." He shrugged and sat his glass down before pulling out his phone. "Did you mean something else?"

I was more than grateful when he started to thumb through his contacts. He had to be as mortified as I felt, though we were both somehow playing it off quite well.

"Oh, yeah. My first love is food." I let out a soft laugh and glanced back out at the clouds, enjoying the way the sun played across the sky. "I dream of being a food critic, remember?"

"I like that, actually." He gave me a serious look.

I glanced over at him and smiled before faking a yawn. "I'm going to take a short nap. Wake me if I need to help you with your oxygen mask."

His eyes moved across my face as he gave me a cute smile. "I'll do just that. Sleep well."

Closing my eyes, I leaned back and enjoyed the subtle tones of his cologne, letting my mind slip into how nice it would be to have been with a man like him for the week. He seemed to have his shit together. That he was incredibly good-looking and a bit funny didn't hurt too much. Some part of me wanted to stay up and talk his ear off, learning more about him, and divulging my secrets, but we would get to the part where I was cheated on, without a doubt. He would do as most people did and show me pity. I wasn't interested.

Sleep pulled me under, and waking to the sound of his voice and the gentle brush of his fingers along my arm startled me.

"Viv, we're here." He smiled and unbuckled his seatbelt before rolling his shoulders and standing. "You purr when you sleep. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Warmth covered my cheeks and I nodded. "My brothers make fun of me. My nickname is Kat at home for that reason. Don't tell anyone on me. You promise?"

He chuckled. "Not for a million dollars. It was nice to meet you, pretty girl. Maybe fate will kick us back together again for a drink while you're here." His eyebrow lifted.

"Why wait on fate?" Casey moved up behind him. "Give him your number, Viv. We could use a handsome decoy if things go south sometime during the week."

"Don't be silly. He's here on business, no doubt." I turned my attention back to Easton and stood to move out into the aisle.

"I am here on business, but I'll take your number and we can have a drink before you leave to head back home. I assume New York is home for you girls?" He glanced back at Casey, giving me a lovely view of his yummy neck. I could spend hours brushing my nose along it, nipping and kissing at it. Stop it. Now.

"Yeah. We're New York City born and bred." Casey reached for his phone. "I'll put her number in your phone."

"You don't have to do that. We'll be fine." I slipped my hands into my pockets as Easton turned his dark green gaze back toward me, stealing my breath for a moment.