Page 37 of Watch Me

Now, he gives off a vibe that makes me uneasy. I swallow and raise my chin as he saunters closer.

“Can I take your coat?”

Feeling uncomfortably vulnerable, I unbelt the garment and strip it off. The red corset underneath and the matching black thong, garters, and stockings go way beyond suggestive. Being naked would make me feel more clothed.

Del whistles, looking me up and down, lingering on my breasts. “You look hot. Damn hot.”

I clear my throat. His hungry gaze eating me up when I was last on stage with Alejandro turned me on. Being alone with him, having him this close, while he wears that ravenous expression?

Disturbing.

I shrug off his comment casually. “A costume like any other.”

“You and Ali got a real thing going?”

I frown. No matter what I'm feeling, when this is over it’s unlikely we'll continue to see each other. We’re from different worlds. Whatever Alejandro and I might have had will likely be another casualty of my ambition. It doesn’t bother me. Well…it shouldn’t.

But something wretched and heavy that feels an awful lot like regret smothers me. Pain follows. Since he’ll only distract me, I shove it down.

“No.”

Flashing me a hot smile, Del leans in until he’s invading my personal space. “That’s good news. Very good, in fact.”

The rapacious way he watches me gives me major pause.

“When you and Ali are done here…maybe you and I could hook up?” He drags a fingertip down my arm, leaving a prickle of unease in his wake.

Does Del really imagine that after having sex with his friend and business partner, I’m just going to throw Alejandro over and hop into his bed?

I put space between us. “I don’t think so. Now get your hand off me.”

He complies slowly. “If you and Ali don’t have a thing going, why not? You’re a gorgeous woman. I’ve seen you in action, and you make me hard. I’ll treat you right, make you scream. I hear you’re good at switching partners. C’mon. What do you say?”

He reaches around me and slings his hand low on my hip, almost cupping my ass.

Fury erupts. I grab his wrist, squeeze his pressure point until he winces, then shove his hand away from my backside.

“What the hell are you thinking? No, the better question is, which part of your body is doing the thinking? I’m pretty sure I know the answer.” I cut a derisive glare in the vicinity of his crotch, then glance toward the door. Where is Alejandro?

“What’s the problem, baby?” He moves in closer again.

As if he doesn’t know…Douche bag!

I lift my foot and dig my stiletto into his toes. When he swears, I smile. “The problem is, I’m supposed to have sex with your friend in less than five minutes. Let’s focus, shall we?”

His voice sounds strained as he crouches to cradle his injured toe. “You don’t get sentimental about your partners. And you said you weren’t involved with Ali. So why shouldn’t I ask a gorgeous woman if she wants to hook up?”

Why, indeed? Del is attractive physically. I doubt he would be demanding of my time or try to delve into my psyche. He would never take me to his bed after a wild night on stage, love me privately, and rip past the barriers around my heart. He would probably never press me for more than sex.

But if I dislike Alejandro for all those things, why am I not eager to spend alone time with his sinfully hot friend?

“Alejandro is your business partner and best friend.”

“True, but if you’re not into him, that makes you fair game.”

I’m still processing Del’s words when he grabs me and crushes my body against his. His mouth swoops down, and he captures my lips. At the first swipe of his tongue against mine, panic consumes me.

And pure rage.

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