Page 71 of A Little Broken

With a confidence I can’t help but admire, he motions to the empty seat beside me. “You waiting for someone?”

I could say yes. I should say yes. But the idea of potentially rubbing him the wrong way when I already embarrassed myself in front of him feels about as appealing as…I don’t know. Something awful. Besides, he is cute, and I could use a distraction since Cowboy’s currently missing in action.

Despite my better judgment, I kick out the barstool beside mine. “It’s all yours.”

Three drinks later, Cowboy’s still absent, and I’m on the dance floor with Roman. His hands are on my waist as he pulls me closer, letting me feel every inch of his very hard, very toned body.

Yup. This guy might be my boss, but considering the fact he caught me taking a nap at his place, I have a feeling a solid hookup might convince him to keep his lips zipped. He also looks like someone who knows what he’s doing and is up for a one-night-stand which is perfect since I need one as soon as possible if I have any hope of dulling the memory of last week with Pax. “You should come back to my place,” he says, proving we’re on the same page even if I’m not ready to give in fully.

With a Cheshire grin, I murmur, “A bit presumptuous, don’t you think?”

He leans closer, burrowing his head against my throat while letting me feel his smile against my skin.

“I prefer confident.”

“You think I’m this easy?”

“I think you came to this bar looking for a distraction.” He lifts his head, giving me a front-row seat to his grin. “All I’m saying is I’m happy to oblige, if you’d like me to. No strings attached.”

“You’re my boss.”

“I’m your boss’s friend,” he clarifies.

My brows dip. “What?”

“That’s not my house.”

Confused, I shake my head. “You didn’t tell me?—”

“You didn’t give me the chance.” His gaze drops to my lips. “And then I thought it was cute watching you squirm. But I promise I’m a complete gentleman.” He bends closer and drops his voice low. “A complete gentleman who has no issue sneaking a pretty girl into his friend’s house to use his jacuzzi for the night. What do you say?”

I should say no. I should go home and sleep off my buzz. But if I do, will I dream of Pax or Archer? Neither choice makes me feel any better. Actually, both kind of make me feel like shit, so…

Toying with my gold ring, I ask, “You good to drive?”

“Had one beer.”

“Lead the way.”

His car is nice.Like, really nice. Black. Chrome. Leather. It smells like money. A lot of money. Not in a pretentious way. It’s more like the man knows how to appreciate the finer things in life, and I almost admire it. The soft, dark leather caresses the backs of my thighs as he drives us back to his friend’s house.

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I shouldn’t be here.

It’s one night. It’ll quiet the static.

Holding onto the thought, I sink further into the passenger seat, succumbing to what’s left of the alcohol in my veins.

After inputting the code, the wrought iron gate moves to life without even the softest of squeaks, and Roman peels up the drive. Once we exit the car, a tiny voice of reason echoes in the back of my brain, somehow managing to slip past the slight fog of alcohol. If Roman’s friend finds me here and somehow connects me to being his maid, will he be mad? Is it like, a conflict of interest or something? I really don’t want to be fired.

Folding my arms, I run my hands along my bare skin and stay back, hesitant to walk inside.

“There a problem?” Roman asks over his shoulder as he inserts the key into the lock.

Nibbling the inside of my cheek, I reply, “You sure your friend won’t mind us being here?”

“I promise he’d like nothing more.”

The amusement in his voice sparks my curiosity, but I’m too anxious to analyze it.

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