Page 89 of Power Play

“I did. She told me I should’ve convinced the client and her boyfriend that instead of moving into his apartment, they needed to find something bigger and that we would’ve helped them to make the right choice.”

“Yikes. You sure had a rough day.” Eli offers me a smile, threading his fingers through his hair. “No surprise you ended up in the bar. But…why are you alone? Don’t you have a boyfriend?”

Clay’s image pops in my head in an instant. We’re not exclusive. I’m allowed to see anyone I want, but still…he’s the first thing that comes to my mind once I hear Eli’s question. I haven’t seen Clay since July. Hockey and my job at the agency are always in the way. Sure, I stayed in Michigan because I wanted to try working as an estate agent and I couldn’t find anything in Chicago, but…I had no idea it would be so fucking lonely all the time. In college, I was always surrounded by myclassmates, my friends, and now I’m all alone. Clay’s in Chicago, Drake is here but is busy with his career, Ava is in Santa Clara.

I need someone to be there for me.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I drawl. “Or like, it’s complicated.”

Eli laughs, throwing his head back. Even his laughter is pleasant, deep and honeyed.

I smile at him in return and ask, “What about you? Don’t you have a girlfriend?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I broke up with my last girl a few months ago, and now I’m single.”

His gaze drops to my mouth, and a thrill of excitement rushes through my veins. “Good to know.” I hear myself saying.

Eli leans forward. “How about we go for a walk?”

My lips part as I stare at him, unblinking.

“I would love to get to know you better, and the bar is pretty loud. And it will get worse soon, since there will be a concert…for Valentine’s Day.”

I watch him, mulling over his words. Then I gulp down the rest of my cocktail and climb off the bar stool. “Why not?”

Eli smiles and joins me, taking my hand in his. “Follow me, beautiful,” he murmurs and pulls me toward the exit.

I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m intrigued.

And I haven’t felt so good in months.

It must be something, right?

Three months later, May

“Hey, beautiful.”Eli steps into me and kisses my lips. Slow and gentle, nothing like his kisses are when we’re in bed. “How was your day?”

“It just got better.” I wrap my arms around his torso, molding myself into him. “I hate when I can’t see you because of your concerts.”

A low chuckle rumbles in his chest. “You’re always welcome at my gigs. You know that.” I look up, and our eyes meet. His blues are shimmering with mischief.

“Unfortunately, my workday starts at eight a.m., and your gigs always end way past midnight.”

He drops a kiss to my nose and slowly takes a step back. Entwining our fingers, he pulls me to his side and we start walking.

“Where do you want to go?”

“There’s a pizza place I want to take you to. I heard they serve the best lasagna in town. What do you say?”

“Yes,” I murmur breathlessly.

Eli pauses. “If you continue making these sounds, the only place we’re going to end up in is my apartment.”

“Maybe that’s my plan?” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively, and he instantly slaps my ass. “You don’t want me?”

“I always want you,” Eli whispers, squeezing my butt with his hand. “But I’d love us to eat first.”

“Okay.” I giggle, and we start walking again.

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