Page 80 of Mr. Wicked

“You were”—I sighed—“fine.”

“Just fine?” He huffed. “Man, you’re quick to dig.”

“You deserve it.”

“But I’m on my best behavior, Jovana.” He leaned his mouth toward mine, his hands circling my waist, teasing my stomach with his thumbs. With each swipe, he was triggering the tingles to explode in my body. “I don’t know how to be nicer than this. I even gave you a compliment.”

“Kiss me.” My voice was a whisper.

He dipped once again, his lips inches above mine. “Look who’s being controlling ...”

I was needy.

I was asking for what I wanted.

My insides were begging for pleasure.

This wasn’t about control.

This was about desire.

“Please,” I said softly.

He didn’t let a single beat pass before he cupped my face and pulled us together, our mouths melding. Our tongues touching. All I could feel, all I could smell ... was him.

Our kiss didn’t last long. I was at work, after all, but it was enough.

Enough to prove to anyone in this bar what we meant to each other.

Enough to make me breathless.

His eyes scanned mine the moment we separated, and he thumbed my gloss off his lip. “I’m going to go get that drink.”

I nodded.

And as his hand left me and he took a seat in front of Sloane, I hurried into the back, grabbing my pile of receipts to make sure all the tips were entered into the computer. I refilled the water glasses and checked the ice. I then cleaned up the soda station, and when I returned to the bar, Grayson was sipping one of Sloane’s famous martinis.

“Girl, you’re not going to believe this,” Sloane said as I reached her, wiping my hands on one of her rags. “Grayson talked to Nate, and he’s interested in hearing all my ideas. Nate wants me to set up a meeting where I can pitch him.”

“If he’s impressed with what she has to say,” Grayson cut in, “they’ll discuss owner financing.”

My fingers clamped Sloane’s arm. “Oh my God.”

Her eyes were so big and emotional, her voice just as excited as her expression when she said, “I know!” She glanced at Grayson. “I’m going to work on my ideas over the next couple of days, along with the business plan that we discussed.”

“Shoot it over to me when you’re done. I’ll review it and give you feedback.”

She glanced at me. “I’m obsessed with your man. I don’t even care how that sounds, it’s the truth.”

I pulled her into my arms and hugged her with all my strength. “I’m sooo happy for you right now. When I get back in the morning, I’ll help. I’ll type. Whatever you need me to do, we’ve got this.”

“Don’t rush back, it’s your first night together. But if you get home before I have to go to work, plan on giving me your full and undivided attention.”

I laughed. “You got it.” My arms dropped from her neck, and I stepped back, giving her the biggest smile.

“This martini ... shit, it’s the best I’ve ever had in my life.”

I looked at Grayson, who was scoring all the points tonight. “I told you, no one makes them like her.”

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