Page 24 of Arrogant Playboy

ROSIE

Having to sit through dinner where Ava was practically sitting in Daniel’s lap, made my hunger disappear. Where I had to watch her touching him, laughing at his jokes, using every seductive trait she knows on him, and him enjoying it, while I sat there and watched in silence. The night continued in the living room, where we turned the music up and danced the night away, my only saving grace was Ava had too much sun and champagne and passed out on the sofa. Thankfully, Louis and Emily took Ava back to her room. Otherwise, I probably would have lost my mind if they had asked Daniel.

“Doesn’t look like Louis and Emily are coming back?” Matthieu states.

“I think I’m going to call it a night,” Georgia says, standing up.

“Me too,” I add.

“Good night, ladies, it’s been a pleasure meeting you,” Matthieu says. Daniel nods.

“Night,” I say as Georgia and I walk down the corridor.

“Is everything okay with you? You seemed quiet at dinner,” Georgia asks.

“Just tired from traveling.”

“You’re not jealous of Ava flirting with Daniel?” she asks.

“No, why?” I question her.

“I noticed that he couldn’t stop looking at you the entire night and wasn’t interested in Ava.”

Oh. “Did he?”

Georgia smirks. “He did. I think that’s why Ava got drunk tonight, she noticed, too.”

“Ava does seem to have a thing for him,” I add.

Georgia shrugs. “You know what she’s like. Next week she will be onto someone else.” This is true, her attention span with men is short. “If you like him, go for it. It’s not your fault if he seems more interested in you than her.”

“I can’t do that,” I say.

Georgia shrugs as we stop at our bedrooms. I don’t say anything more about Daniel as we wish each other good night.

I jump into the shower and get ready for bed. As I’m pulling my pajamas on, I hear voices in the corridor talking in French, then doors shutting. Daniel’s room is right across from mine.Dare I go over?No.

I finish getting ready for bed and jump in, then spend the next couple of hours tossing and turning unable to get the images of my best friend and Daniel out of my mind.

“Ugh,” I growl, throwing back the covers and getting up as frustration seeps into my bones. I open my bedroom door quietly as everyone else in the house is sleeping and tiptoe out into the dark hallway. I head left toward the kitchen, I’ll make myself a tea, maybe that will soothe the anguish inside of me. When I round the corner, I still, seeing the bare back of Daniel before me as he wanders around the kitchen. The muscles ripple with his movements, damn him for looking so good withouta shirt on. A squeak must fall from my lips because he turns around suddenly and the scowl that was there vanishes when he sees it’s me.

“Rosie?” he questions me in the darkness.

“Hey,” I answer as I slowly walk toward the kitchen, my eyes unable to leave his as I take in the front of him. Each part of his body is muscled, and they ripple in the moonlight.

“You couldn’t sleep, too?” he asks as his eyes lower and take in what I’m wearing, which under his penetrative stare doesn’t feel like I’m wearing a lot, it’s only a slip and I can feel the cool night air against my skin, goose bumping it and making my nipples stiffen, or it might be him. Those turquoise eyes dip down to my chest and flare ever so slightly as he takes me in.

“I just came to make myself a chamomile tea.”

“I’m just finishing making some hot chocolate if you want one?” he asks.

“Sure,” I answer, moving closer. He turns back to what he is doing and continues to work silently. Well, this is awkward as nothing is said between us. Nervous energy rushes my body and I have to do something, so I jump up onto the kitchen counter and sit, hoping that stops me from fidgeting. Daniel turns around and notices where I am seated, his eyes fall to my thighs.

“It’s done. I’m letting it cool for a moment before we drink it,” he states.

I nod, there isn’t anything else I need to say as we both stare at one another. The next thing I know, he is placing his large hands on either side of my hips, making me gasp.

“I need you to know, I’m not interested in your friend.” Oh. I wasn’t expecting that. “If that is the reason you can’t sleep.”

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