Bare Yourself (Consumed)

“What are the chances you can talk him into switching over to Reines Security?”

“I think once he hears my proposal he’ll at least think about it. We can offer him more than who he’s using now.”

“That’ll be a big deal for you if you can get Silver Technologies on board. Bring in a lot more clients. You ready for that?”

“We’re ready.”

Just then, Ava and Brett come up to the table. Both their faces are flushed and sweaty. She plops down on the chair beside me and Brett cages her in with his arms.

“So, Willow, right?” She turns in her seat to face me. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you earlier. How did you and Tegan meet?”

I pull in a deep breath and try to get my mind on other things beside Tegan’s fingers that’re no longer moving.

“He stopped and helped me with a flat tire,” I tell her, my voice more steady than I thought it would be.

“Hmm… that sounds like Tegan. He’s always been the gentleman of our group.”

Her eyes dance as she looks over at Tegan, like there’s more to that statement. I have no doubt Tegan can be a gentleman, but I’m sure he uses that quality to get any woman he wants. He’s a smooth talker and a ladies’ man. I knew that the first time he opened his mouth. It’s a good thing I’m not looking for anything serious, because Tegan would be one of the last men I would choose to take a relationship seriously.

“Where do you work?”

“I don’t.” Her brows rise, so I clarify. “I just moved here and haven’t gotten a chance to look for work yet. I have a couple of interviews set up for next week.”

“How long have you been here?” she asks next. I get the sense this is some type of interrogation. Normally my hackles would be up, but these questions are easy, and I know she’s just looking out for her friend. I can’t fault her for that. Although, if they get more personal, she’ll be disappointed when she doesn’t get what she wants.

“A week.”

“What kind of work do you do?”

“I have a degree in business management.”

“How much experience do you have?” This question comes from Nathan, and I swing my head to face him.

“Before I moved, I was with the same company since I graduated college almost four years ago.”

Nathan looks to Tegan, and when he receives a nod, looks back to me. “I need an assistant at Reines Security. We’re just starting out, so I haven’t had the time to look for one.”

Uneasy, I look over to Tegan, who grins. Obviously, tonight something’s going to happen between him and me—feeling his hand on my thigh, I rethink that. Things are already happening, and I’m not sure what, but possibly with Nathan in the picture. Do I really want to attach myself to this group? These people are close, even I can see that, so there would be no avoiding them if I work for Nathan.

“What kind of company do you own?” I ask Nathan, but my eyes stay on Tegan. It’s being attached to Tegan I’m worried about. He seems like a nice guy, he’s hot as hell, and obviously he really knows how to use his hands and I’m sure other parts of his body, but can I really be around him once we sleep together? This… thing, or whatever it is, is only for one night. There’s no telling how often I would see him, since he and Nathan are friends.

“A security firm,” Nathan answers.

“And what do you need from me?”

“The same thing any other company would need. Answering phones, making appointments, filing paperwork, drawing up contracts, keeping track of financials, and the like.”

Would it really be that bad? I could always put in notice if it got to be too weird or uncomfortable. At least I would have money coming in. I’ve only been here a week, but it would be nice to not have to touch my savings. And the two interviews I have next week aren’t places I would normally consider. They would be a big drop from the company I worked at in Austin.

“Can we do a trial run?” I request.

“How about we reassess after a month?” Nathan suggests.

I smile. “That sounds good.”

I lift my drink and down the rest of it, relieved my job issue is taken care of. I just hope it’s one I won’t have to leave.

“Want another one?” Tegan asks, his finger starting to swirl again.

My head already feels loopy enough, so I decline.

“You wanna get out of here?” His question comes in my ear as he nuzzles my neck. I unconsciously tilt my head to the side so he has better access. What is it about this man that makes all my inhibitions disappear? Or maybe it’s the place? A look around shows things have gotten a little more wild. One guy has a girl on the dance floor, her top pulled all the way up, showing off her huge breasts.

Tegan teases the lace edge of my panties, not dipping beneath them, but coming damn close. I turn my head and bury my face in his neck. With my lips against his skin, I murmur, “Yes.”

The word barely leaves my lips before he’s dragging me from the chair. I’m standing behind him with my hand in his when he stops next to Nathan and whispers something in his ear. When he pulls back, Nathan’s eyes meet mine, and something carnal flashes through them. It has my body tightening up.

Tegan walks us across the crowded floor and out the door. The humid air that hits me once we step outside makes me dizzy, and I stumble a step. Tegan stops and turns.

“You okay?” His concern is apparent. “You haven’t had too much to drink, have you?”

I smile up at him and grab the back of his head to pull him down. Our lips meet, and his groan is a lot louder outside without the music blaring in our ear. It’s husky and scratchy and makes my limbs tingle. I may be tipsy, but I’m not to the point that he should be concerned about.

“I’m fine. Just take me somewhere,” I say against his lips.

“You sure you want to do this?”

I’m not exactly sure what “this” is, but I know I want to find out. “Yes.”

His smile is sexy and sinful. “You’re about to experience a night you’ll never fucking forget.”