Page 65 of A Whole New Play

I chew my bottom lip. I turn my neck to search for Megan. She put a lot of effort into arranging this surprise party. I can’t just disappear to have my way with my gorgeous boss. But when I find my best friend leaning over the VIP railing, smiling at me excitedly and making some not-so-subtle hand gestures, I know she won’t mind if that’s exactly what I do.

I haven’t told Megan what’s happened between me and Carter since I started working for him, but she knows I still find him attractive. If I told her about our kiss on the night of the accident—how I dream of Carter almost every night—I’m sure she’d encourage me to throw caution to the wind and go for what I want—just like when I quit my accounting job and moved to Dallas.

I smile at my friend and give a little wave before facing Carter with renewed confidence. “The party doesn’t matter. Take me to bed, Jones.”

Lust sparks in his eyes. “Lead the way, Valerie.”

The nerves don’t hit until Carter and I are walking across the fancy hotel’s lobby. My heels click against the marble, echoing in the open space. It takes effort to keep my breathing steady.

I’d been confident leaving the club with Carter’s hand in mine. We didn’t go back to the VIP section to say our goodbyes. My purse and all its contents had been checked in with the beautiful coat girl when we arrived.

I did send Megan a short text as we walked down the street, though, telling her I was heading back to the hotel after remembering she and I were supposed to be staying in the same room tonight.

My best friend had replied with a gif of a bed rocking against a wall and a short text letting me know she’d crash in Jennifer’s room. She also sent a plethora of emojis dripping with sexual innuendo.

I tucked my phone out of sight before any more salacious messages came through. My phone had vibrated in my purse several times during our walk to the hotel.

Now, I debate taking out my phone and looking through the messages, if only to have something to do with my hands.

I peek at Carter and marvel at his cool demeanor. The sweat that had glistened on his head from dancing has dried, and his wavy brown hair is delectably mussed from my fingertips. He looks around the lobby casually, the picture of ease. He smiles politely when he hears someone call out his name. His hand tightens around mine as we continue walking toward the elevator.

I tilt my head so my hair falls forward to hide my face when I see the guy who recognized Carter pull out his cell phone. I don’t know if he takes a picture. Nevertheless, it reminds me that I’ve been walking through downtown Dallas hand in hand with one of the more famous athletes in the city. I’d be shocked if no one snapped a photo of us and shared it on the internet

Why didn’t I think about that before leaving the club with Carter?

Because you were sex-blind, that’s why.

We reach the elevator bay. Carter pushes the call button without a word, then draws me in until I’m tucked into his side. My hands rest on his firm abs and hip. He kisses the top of my head. I sigh. He’s just… perfect. I don’t know how a man like him exists in the real world, but I’m a lucky girl to have found him.

This is just a one-night thing, I remind myself. Don’t get attached.

Carter dips his head. His lips brush against the top of my ear. A shiver travels through my body. “Are you cold?”

“No.”

I feel his lips curl. “Nervous?” He presses another kiss on my head.

I feign confidence I don’t feel at this moment and scoff. “Nervous? Me? Hardly.”

He chuckles. The elevator dings and the doors slide open.

We walk in and I select the top floor, swiping my room key to grant us access to the exclusive level.

“Top floor?” Carter raises an eyebrow. “Nice.”

I tuck the card key in my palm. “Yeah, Megan went all out for my birthday.”

“I’m glad.” His arm snakes around my shoulders. His other hand cups my chin and tilts my head up. “You deserve it.” The following kiss is slow and sweet. Desire is there, but the passion takes a backseat to gentle affection.

We arrive at the top floor. Reluctantly, I step out of his arms and break our kiss, but I immediately take his hand and gently tug him out of the elevator.

We walk down the hallway with ivory and green wallpaper in silence. My nervousness spikes, and I pray Carter can’t feel the way my hands tremble.

I lead us to the last door on the left. I tap the key card against the lock. A beep precedes the sound of the bolt sliding. I slide the card into my purse and open the door.

The main light is on, illuminating the entrance foyer and the light next to the landscape painting nailed above the couch. Megan and I hadn’t known what state we’d be in when we returned to the room, and neither of us wanted to be drunkenly fumbling for the light switch inconveniently located ten feet from the door.

I place a hand on the half wall separating the foyer hall from the kitchenette and bend my leg back to remove my shoes. I love wearing heels, and I’m usually nimble in them, but being around Carter makes me clumsy. I’m eager to free myself of the tripping hazard, but the buckle around my ankle doesn’t want to loosen.

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