Long blonde waves fell over her shoulders, and she wore a black sparkly dress that dipped low in the front.
And by dipped low, I mean that it dipped downreallow.
The rise of her breasts peeked out of the opening, and I wasn’t sure how the fabric was staying in place.
I couldn’t stop staring, and she clearly noticed because she snapped her fingers in front of my face. “You can’t be looking at my boobs as if you’ve never seen them before.”
“Well, they’re kind of hard not to stare at.”
“Fine, get it over with. Once we walk out the door, you need to look at me like you’ve seen me naked hundreds of times.” She shrugged, placing her hands on her hips and motioning for me to check her out.
“I’m not going to just stand here and stare at you. That’s ridiculous,” I said, scrubbing a hand down my face.
“You already were staring, so I don’t know why you’re acting all weird now. You’re clearly attracted to me,” she smirked.
“Listen. Don’t make it a thing. You’ve got great tits. That’s all it is.”
Her eyes moved down to my black dress pants, which were clearly tented.
For fuck’s sake.
My dick could give Benedict Arnold a run for traitor of the century.
“You sure you can handle this tonight?” Her voice was all tease.
“Yes. I’m absolutely fine.”
She moved closer, brushing nonexistent dust from my suit coat. “You look handsome, Rafael. You wear this suit well. And you handled my jackass cousin well, too.”
“Barron is an asshole. And Hunter is, too,” I said, as I stood in front of her and took her up on her offer to take her in. “You look really beautiful tonight, Wildcat.”
I didn’t miss the way her chest rose and fell quicker at my nearness. Pear and vanilla wafted around me, and I swore her scent was some kind of aphrodisiac.
“Thank you. And I’m sorry about Barron and Hunter. Keep your eye out for Charlotte; she’s a quiet kind of evil.”
“They seem to be hyperfocused on you. Has it always been that way?”
“With Barron and Charlotte, it has. They don’t like my mother, and they don’t care for me either. At times, it feels like they are gunning for me. Always trying to dig around for things and bring it up at family gatherings.” She shrugged, as if that were perfectly acceptable.
“Fuck them,” I said. “I’ve got your back if you need me tonight.”
“It’s fine. I don’t need saving, Rafe. I can handle myself. We need to go. The party starts soon.” She started to turn, and I put a hand on her shoulder.
She was the most intriguing woman I’d ever met.
She was beautiful and vulnerable and fierce all at the same time.
“You do know that someone can have your back without it meaning you need to be saved, right? I don’t give a fuck if this is fake. Just know that if you need me, all you have to do is say the word.”
Her gaze narrowed as if she were surprised by my words. “Just say the word? And you’ll be there for me even if we’re not together? Even if I’m not sleeping with you?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation. Because I would.
She was Henley’s best friend. Hell, we lived on the same property. When she wasn’t causing me physical pain, I found her very entertaining.
She’s also starred in every dirty dream I’ve had lately, and I’d spent quite a lot of time in the shower with thoughts of her.
“Careful, Rafe Chadwick. Don’t go falling in love with me while we’re faking it.” She smiled, her red-covered lips plump and taunting.
