And those lips, attached to that mouth, blow me a small kiss before he rights himself, addressing the table.
“Settle down, animals. There’s a lady here.”
I roll my eyes, pretending not to replay what just happened in my head. But Reed turns his head toward mine, his eyes darting to my cheeks and then back.
“You realize that if I weren’t here, nobody would know what fork to eat with.” He winks. “You can thank me later for the things I’ve taught them.”
There’s a beat of silence before Alec chuckles.
“Don’t listen to him, Samantha. He’s just an Upper East Side snob. A rich prep school charmer who likes to remind us he’s slumming it as our COO. See, Cole and I came from a different kind of neighborhood. Nobody cared what fork you ate with—but they might stab you with one.”
Reed laughs a deep bass that makes me want to hear it again. I look around the table at the guys. You’d never know that any of them were ever unpolished. And somehow, the idea of a gentleman mixed with a little thug makes my mouth water just as much as a rich, arrogant prick.
I shift in my seat, facing Reed as he links his hands behind his head, kicking his legs out under the table. The muscles in his biceps are deliciously on display, even in the navy sweater he’s wearing, making me feel cheeky.
“So you went to a prep school? Like the one in Gossip Girl?”
Jace grins, picking up on my teasing tone as I add, “Did an anonymous person talk about all the dalliances of your day? Was there a scandal? Did you know any girls named Blair or Serena? Were you the real Chuck Bass, running around saying things like, ‘I’m Reed Forthman.’”
Reed’s hand shoots out, tickling my side, making me squeal.
“You little smartass. Do you think I didn’t watch that show? Chuck Bass is a pussy. For your information, I went to Hillcrest Prep. The number one school in the country.” He leans in closer, and I laugh less because his hand slows, kneading. “Yes, people talked about me as they should. Yes, there was a scandal. Because I caused it. And yes, I knew many girls. I’m sure at least two were named Blair and Serena.” His eyes are locked on mine as he tilts his head. “But I never did meet a Samantha.”
A coy smile blooms slowly on my face.
“Well, then, I’m happy to be your first.”
His eyes say fucking tease as he looks at me. And he’s right because that’s precisely what I’m doing against my better judgment.
I shift back to everyone else, trying not to look affected. But it’s hard as his hand glides over my stomach, retreating. Damn. I shouldn’t do this. This is bad, right? Right?
The naughtiness of the moment keeps a poorly hidden grin on my face.
I clear my throat, looking at Cole. “And you? How’d you come to be in this group?”
“Alec and I grew up together,” he offers, not elaborating.
But his eyes dart to Reed’s hand, brushing my hair away from my face. Cole leans forward, forearms on the table. “In Chicago. Reed and I met in college.”
“Yale,” Reed offers with too much big dick energy.
Alec clinks the ice in his glass. “But tell us about you, Samantha. Because that’s what we’re really interested in.”
Why am I suddenly shy? It’s all eyes on me. The unyielding, completely present eyes are attached to men who look ready to hang on my every word. I don’t know how other girls feel around them, but I’m dizzy. Especially now that the floor is mine, their attention feels like a spotlight. And I’m pretty sure it’s making me sweat. I reach for my wine, saying, “I don’t know where to start. There’s not much to tell.”
“Where’d you go to school?”… “Why decorating?”… “Where are you from originally?” mix from Alec, Reed, and Jace, making me laugh softly.
I bring my glass to my lips for some courage, only to realize I’ve finished my second glass. Oops.
Cole taps a finger on the table, making my eyes jump to his.
“Boyfriend?”
I don’t know what it is about him that makes me feel obstinate and obedient at the same time. Maybe it’s the brusque way he speaks. It’s demanding. I like it, and I want to rebel.
Cole expects me to answer him first. I can tell because he’s slowly strumming his fingers impatiently on the table. Fuck, that’s hot.
But instead of giving him what he wants, I look at Alec.
“Berkeley. Double major in Business and Architectural Design.”
Then to Reed.
“Because I like making places feel like home for people. It’s rewarding.”
Next to Jace.
“Born in Portland, Oregon. Raised in Northern California. San Jose, specifically.”
And finally, Cole, who has the most amused look on his gorgeous face as I say, “Why do you want to know? It’s not as if you have a chance at dating me…You’re a client, after all.”
We sit staring at each other, and I swear there’s a crackle in the air. I can feel the heat behind Cole’s eyes as he licks his bottom lip. I spin the bottom of the wineglass around the table, staring back, unwilling to cave first in this little battle of wills.
Jace laughs.
“Oh shit, Cole. I think you’ve met your match.” I look over at Jace’s dimples that I like so much as he continues. “No one ever gets one over Mr. Buttoned Up over there.” He gives me a wry grin. “Careful. You might be in trouble now, Samantha.”
Reed takes my glass, adding, “Here, this’ll help ease the sting from the spanking you’re going to get.”
I know what’s said is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but I can’t help the tiny shiver it invokes. A shiver that doesn’t go unnoticed by Cole. Whose jaw flexes before he adjusts in his seat.
I shake my head to answer to more wine, barely bringing my eyes to Reed, but he pours anyway.
“Come on. The night’s just getting fun. Let’s see what happens when you finish the bottle. It’s only fair. You’re way behind the rest of us.”
Wait a minute. Was that the third glass I finished before? Oh crap. I’d given myself a one-glass maximum. So it’s safe to say I threw away good judgment.
Three glasses are my red flag area, A.K.A. the part of the night when bad ideas start to resemble my best life. Like my ten-second fantasy about being spanked by Cole. Yep. It’s confirmed. I’m there—time to put myself to bed.
“No…” I draw out slowly, standing. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night.”
Grumbles sound around the table, making me laugh. Jace even boos me, causing me to slip back into my drunk alter ego effortlessly.
“Oh, stop it,” I snark, pointing my finger at him, only for him to pretend to bite it. “See, this is why I’m going to bed. It’s time for you boys to let loose and do whatever it is you do.”
Jace pushes from the table, standing too like he’s been offended, before looking at Alec. “Boys? Can you believe the nerve of this woman?”
Alec chuckles. “I can, but I suppose we just need to remind her that we’re all grown men here.”
Jace answers on the heels of Alec, “We could brave the snow and throw her in the hot tub.”