Page 53 of First Chance

“It’s required that you be seen with your family.” His tall, lanky figure is dressed in a suit worth more than most people’s entire wardrobe, and it makes him even more off-putting because of it.

“I don’t care. Have a nice night,” I dismiss him, turning to walk away.

I thought he got the hint, but as I reach the table where the guys are sitting, he speaks again. “JoAnna, this is not negotiable,” he states harshly, just as I lock eyes with Lochlan.

How embarrassing that I have to be scolded by one man in front of another man who’s probably waiting patiently to scold me as well.

I spin on my heels to face him. “I’m sitting at the table I reserved for Second Chance Sanctuary. My family is on their own.”

He looks over my shoulder and visibly shows his disgustat my friends. They’re all in their Sunday best, and I want to punch Austin in the face for looking down on them.

“These people are bad for Conrad’s image.”

I can feel Lochlan’s attention locked in behind me like a solar wave, fueling me.

“I don’t care about his image!” I protest loudly, earning a couple of nosy looks in my direction.

Hayes is watching us from his seat, throwing glances between the man in front of me and the man behind me, whom I can’t see, but I’m sure is scowling because I’ve dragged more of my drama into his hemisphere.

“JoAnna, this is ridiculous.” Austin’s freckled face is growing red with frustration. “Come on,” he demands, grabbing my elbow.

The air shifts as four grown men stand up from the table.

I jerk my arm out of his grip, absorbing the energy from the people on my side. “I said, I’m sitting here.”

“There isn’t even an available seat,” he mutters, trying to save himself from the wrath of the real men behind me.

Without bothering to look, my hand finds the top of Lochlan’s shoulder, and with absolutely no strength and the slightest pressure from my palm, the giant of a man lowers to his seat. “I don’t need a chair.” One step and I’m between his legs, planting my ass on his muscular thigh.

What the hell am I doing?

It doesn’t matter. I have to commit. I wrap my arm around the back of his neck and lean into his hard chest, attempting to look as comfortable as I can during this awkward situation.

Austin’s stare drills into the back of my head as I keep my attention focused on Curtis and Seiver’s wide eyes across the table. They follow my queue, though, and return to theirseats, not uttering a word about how strange it is for me to sit on my boss’s lap.

Hayes sits next, and I hope that means the coast is clear.

“Is he gone?” I whisper, not daring to look at Lochlan directly. Our heads are so close, though, he has to know I’m talking to him, but he’s painfully still.

“He’s gone,” Hayes answers instead from beside me, and I breathe a sigh of relief, leaning further into Lochlan unintentionally.

He’s granite beneath me, and I’ve never felt more foolish. He’s made it clear so many times that he hates my shenanigans. He didn’t want to come to these events in the first place, but I’m making a mockery of myself when I’m supposed to be helping the sanctuary.

I should move before he tosses me off, but his palm is so warm through the fabric of my dress, I can almost imagine what it would feel like to have his bare skin against mine.

The heat of that thought rises to my cheeks and the spot between my thighs that I try to ignore.

I’m sitting on my boss’s lap, and all I can think about is the hard muscles along his back and the strength of his arm wrapped around my waist. I’m close enough to distinguish the smell of his soap from the shaving cream he uses.

And that he’s drinking beer tonight.

“I’m sorry, I’ll move, I’m probably crushing your leg.” I brace myself to stand but my butt barely lifts an inch before I’m forced back down.

Lochlan’s big hand cups my hip, firmly keeping me in place. “You’re fine right here.” His low, gravelly voice vibrates across my skin.

I look at him curiously, but his gaze is focused somewhereacross the room, as a speech starts. It’s inappropriate to be sitting on his lap, but I feel trapped. If I try to stand up now, people will take notice because everyone else is seated. Finding and pulling up my own chair is out of the question.

So, I sit.

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