Page 37 of Fever

“Especially now,” he confirmed.

The muscles in his powerful frame teased me, and I wondered how long I’d be able to keep my emotions in check. Snap out of it, Santana. I smiled elatedly.

“You put on a good show, you know that, Josiah?”

His tongue pushed into the corner of his mouth.

“Is that what you think I was doing?”

I smirked. “Hmm, well, I don’t really belong to you, so yes. I do.”

“What if I told you, you were wrong?”

I laughed and attempted to climb off his lap, but his hands clasped my thighs and held me firm. My heart fluttered, and again I was knocked by emotions that threatened to rise.

“You don’t have to continue back here,” I said. “No one can see us.”

Josiah went to speak, but someone entered the room.

“Mr. Rose, I hate to interrupt, but some fools at the door claim they’re a part of your party. Should I kick them out?”

It was a different security guard. I took this time to climb off his lap and sink next to him, pulling down my pleated skirt.

“Let them in,” Josiah said. “And have Ashley bring a round of drinks.”

“Sure thing.”

The stocky security guard left.

“I should get going,” I said, rising to my feet.

“You just got here,” he said.

“No, you just got here, I’ve been here a while.”

“Are you planning to head home?”

“Not at this very moment. My girls and I will probably hang out for a bit more. We were sort of in the middle of ladies’ night when you pulled me away.”

“Your girls can come back here. No need to go back to the table. I’ll send security to get them.”

I twisted my lips. “Why, you don’t trust me out of your sight? Unlike you, I know how to turn down the advancement of the opposite sex.”

It was a direct jab, and I wanted him to feel it more than I should’ve.

A small smile caressed his lips.

“I can’t tell,” he said.

Astonished, I put my hands on my hips. “I wasn’t the one flirting relentlessly. You, on the other hand, just can’t help yourself.”

“You’re referring to what exactly?”

“Don’t play games with me, Josiah. I saw the women fawning over you as soon as you stepped through the door, and you seemed to enjoy it.”

He watched me so long I thought he’d went off into a trance.

“You’re right,” he said. “I was a shameless flirt in my past life.”

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