Page 2 of The Owner's Temptation

“Oh honey,” Harper looks at me like I have shit all over my face. “Are you saying Ben–Boring Ben—theprestigious, accomplished, white-collar wonder boy—was bad in bed?”

She puts her hand over her chest dramatically. “Pretends to be shocked.”

“Hey, we were high school sweethearts.” I defend myself of my naivety for the millionth time. “He was my first love. I didn’t know better.”

Just in time a server returns with a fresh drink for me.

“Girl, you still don’t know better.”

“God, tell me about it.” Ben’s idea of foreplay was turning over and asking me if I showered.

Then spicing it up meant going from missionary to doggy style.

But Ben was my childhood friend turned teenage boyfriend. I gave him my virginity, and we kept up our relationship long-distance through college.

We moved to New York together and I was certain we’d be getting married while Ben worked on his career.

Until I caught him fucking one of his coworkers.

Dickhead.

Not only did he leave me unsatisfied in the bedroom, but he also left me with an expensive lease for an apartment I didn’t even want. Now I’m racking up credit card debt and blowing through my small savings to keep the rent paid.

I swear to God, I hate him.

But I’m glad I woke up when I did.

That life–the one where I gave up everything for the man in my life–it’s not me.

It’s not what I want.

“We’re not leaving here until we find you some good dick.” Harper takes it upon herself to begin scouring the crowd of faces. “This is my mission now. It’s my purpose. Youwillget laid before I leave for my vacation.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Trust me, my dick-dar is always on point.” She ignores me, sipping on her drink through the tiny black straw as her eyes move from person to person. “One look and I can tell if they can eat pussy like a pro or if they lick it like a fucking kitten drinking milk."

I choke on my cocktail, coughing as Harper pats my back like shedidn’t just say that.

"Jesus, Harper," I wheeze between laughs. "What the hell?"

She shrugs, completely unfazed. "I’m just saying, some guys lap it up like they’ve been training for the Olympics, and some?" She clicks her tongue, shaking her head in disappointment. "They treat it like a goddamnsippy cup."

I’mdying. Tears prick my eyes from laughing so hard. "Oh my God, I hate you."

"You love me," she corrects, tossing back the last of her drink. “I need a refill.”

She sways her hips, hands lifted over her head with her empty glass as she cuts a path through the crowd toward the VIP area.

One man turns to her, his hand on her hip as he dances with her while she passes.

I swear, I don’t understand how she does that.

Just walks through a crowd and draws eyes to her.

I mean she’s beautiful. Long brunette hair and olive skin but I’m beautiful too dammit.

We’re complete opposites, my long auburn hair and bright blue eyes probably makes me look like an innocent little bunny rabbit compared to the vixen stare she is giving this guys.

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