“I work at American University. Well, actually I don’t work-work there. I was selected for a program.” I realized how flustered his eyes made me. He followed my lips with piercing focus. “I’m in sort of a residency program for attorneys.”

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a lawyer.” He sat back in his chair. “You look too sweet for something like that.”

Maybe I had disappointed him. I wondered what line of work he thought I was in before I started talking. Did he think I did something fun and sexy? Or was he like everyone else who thought the innocence in my eyes meant I wasn’t old enough to do something harrowing?

“Who said I’m sweet?” I bit my bottom lip.

He picked up his glass. “Good point. Keep talking, pretty girl.”

Shit,

what was he doing to me? I felt feisty all of a sudden. I felt like there was a hellcat inside of me who wanted to come out and play. But really, how long could I pull that off? He’d see through my charade before my next sip of vodka. I decided to stick with the truth.

“I don’t practice law like I did. Not anymore—not like that. I was at a firm for two years after law school, but I realized I wasn’t cut out for that kind of law. I didn’t have the stomach for it. Maybe it’s a little like your retirement.” I had a feeling Vaughn wasn’t the kind of man who shrank from confrontation or a fight.

I hadn’t taken my eyes off the glimpses of his tattoo. I wanted to see what the full ink looked like on his arm.

“And you decided to retire to D.C.?” he questioned.

“Sort of. When the chance to help clients at a clinic and teach opened up, I applied. Plus, my college roommate is in D.C. and she really wanted me to move.” I tried to gauge if I was spilling too much information.

He made me feel off-balance, but it was fun. I enjoyed trying to stay centered around him. Every time I tipped too far, I tugged myself back up and then let the pull of his eyes or the gravel in his voice tilt me to another dizzying place.

“How long have you been in D.C.?” he asked. He pushed the ice around on the top of his drink.

“Three days.”

He laughed. “Three days?”

“My room isn’t even unpacked. I’m lucky I have clothes.” I smiled.

He tipped the glass over his perfectly shaped lips. He lowered it slowly. “Maybe I’m not so lucky then. You without clothes sounds like something I’d like.”

The tingle spread through my body. God, he was hot and a fucking amazing flirt. The words rolled off his tongue effortlessly. It was as if he wasn’t even trying.

“Hey, you owe us forty bucks!”

I was jerked out of the cloud of lust by a fist slamming a drink bill on the table. I looked up and recognized the guys who sent drinks over when Greer was here.

Vaughn stood up. I saw his chest rise and just how imposing his frame was. The guys were dwarfed by his broad shoulders and the expanse of his chest.

“Who the hell are you?” he growled at them.

“She owes us money.” They pointed at me in unison. I could smell the beer on their breath.

I shrank in my chair, shaking my head. “I-I didn’t ask for the drinks.”

Vaughn wedged himself between the angry assholes and my chair. “Take your bill and fucking pay it.” He grabbed it from the table and shoved it the closest one’s hands.

I swallowed. What was happening?

“I can pay it,” I whispered.

He looked down at me. “I’ve got this.” His voice was rough and commanding. Holy shit.

I nodded.

“We’ll pay it with your credit card.” The idiot didn’t seem to realize who he was facing. I knew enough to put my wager on Vaughn.

Tags: Violet Paige The Crown Erotic
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