Page 51 of Arrogant Playboy

“Do you think that was wise?” Georgia asks.

Daniel shrugs. “It could go either way.”

“I believe in love, and I think they will be back together again,” Matthieu states confidently. “Now, who needs drinks?”

“How are you enjoying New York?” Daniel asks, taking a seat beside me.

“It’s been great. We’ve seen a lot. Walked everywhere. Ate all the food. Drank the cocktails,” I answer, taking a sip of my drink, feeling the stares of my friends at the back of my head as we talk.

“You and your cocktails.” He chuckles. “I was wondering if you might have a day, or half a day free during your trip for me.” Huh. I turn and look at him, wondering if I heard him correctly. “Thought we could go shopping for the cottage.”

“You want to go homeware shopping?”

He shrugs, looking almost bashful over the request. “You’re here with your friends so I totally get that you don’t have time.”

I reach out and grab his arm. “There are so many places I would love to visit, and none of my friends are interested.”

Daniel’s brows raise in surprise at my enthusiasm, but it could be all the cocktails I’ve drunk to ease my nerves. He turns my hand around and somehow ends up entwining our fingers together, thankfully, the table is hiding what he is doing.

“Then sign me up. I’ll go check them out with you.”

I give his hand a squeeze in silent thanks.

“Oh my god.” Georgia gasps as she stares at her phone. “Emily and Louis are back together. They won’t be joining us tonight.” She squeals and we all cheer in their honor.

“I knew it, another round on me,” Matthieu cries.

The night turns into a bit of a blur after that. At some point, Ava and Deveraux disappear, and Matthieu mumbles something about an after-party they went to.

“Ava will be fine. Deveraux will make sure of it,” Daniel leans in and whispers into my ear, his soft lips touching my skin, sending shivers over my body. Every chance he’s gotten some part of him has been touching me all night, either his hand, his knee, or a thigh as we’ve spoken. And I didn’t mind it. Because you’re drunk.That I am.Damn that Matthieu and his constant need to keep the drinks flowing.

“I’m going to head back to the hotel,” Georgia states, leaning in and giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“I’ll come too.”

She shakes her head. “No stay, you look like you’re having fun,” she tells me before looking over my shoulder at Daniel.

“Georgia, I’ll take you back,” Matthieu says, holding out his arm for her, which she takes willingly, and before I have a chance to argue they are gone.

“Did they just leave?” Daniel asks. I nod. “Why?”

“Georgia wanted to go back to the hotel.”

“And my cousin took her?” he asks, arching a brow at me. I nod again. “You didn’t want to go, did you?”

“Do you want me to go?”

Daniel shakes his head. “No, I’ve been having fun with you.”

He has? I look up at him and even though the world around me is a blur I can see him perfectly. “Why?” I question as my body sways toward him. Is he as drunk as I am?

His dark brows pull together. “Why? You’re smart, funny, fucking beautiful, there are so many reasons I like hanging out with you.”

Oh.

I stare at him for a little longer than I should. Damn him, he is hot. I reach out and touch his face, running my fingers over his five o’clock shadow, loving the way the roughness feels against my skin and my body lights up.

“Rosie,” he growls my name, but I ignore him as I continue to touch him.Not sure why, ask the tequila and champagne because this is their idea.But I am. He reaches out, pulls my barstool closer, and places a leg on either side of me. “Are you trying to kill me?” he asks, those turquoise eyes darken with hunger as he stares at me. I run my thumb over his lip catching it as I drag my finger down. He opens his mouth, captures my thumb, and bites it, making me gasp. Then his tongue swirls around it and goosebumps lace my skin. I lean into him. His hand comes out and grabs my hip, pulling me close into him as he slides me to the edge of the stool. His heat envelopes me. My mind becomes fuzzy as all I can think about are the things I want this man to do to me. Pulling my finger from his mouth, I launch myself at the poor guy, he catches me before we topple backward, but as soon as our lips meet, he’s not holding back. His fingers dig into my hair as if he doesn’t want to let me go, that this moment may vanish from his fingertips.

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