Page 12 of Torrid Love
He nods and gives me the thumbs-up before grabbing a co-worker by the waist and forcing her to dance with him.
Gabriel is fit and he has a great sense of humor. He’s tall, dark and handsome, but not like Rod. He lacks the badass cocksureness that characterizes Rod. I’ve met him at a few of UTV.com’s team events when I’ve accompanied Rod as his plus one. Gabriel didn’t recognize me at first. I quickly revealed my identity when he started putting the moves on. He was shocked. Since then, he’s been all compliments about my new look. In fact, most people who know me are as taken aback as Holly and Zoe.
“Oh, look who just showed up,” Holly says tugging on Zoe’s arm. “Tall, dark and very handsome is here.”
“Where?” Zoe asks.
“Near the other bar,” Holly says.
Zoe stretches her neck. So do I.
“Yourman came for you,” Holly says.
“He’s no longermyman,” Zoe rebuts. “Pity. He looks so fucking delicious. He’d make for a perfect birthday gift,” she says, longing—scratch that—lustveiling her eyes.
“I believe getting dirty in a public place is part of your sex-bucket list,” Holly notes.
“You’re right,” Zoe laughs.
Holly joins in.
I’m unable to laugh, let alone smile. I’m too preoccupied by the erratic beating of my heart. The sight of the gorgeous strapping man standing next to Roark Wolfe is enough to cause me to go into cardiac arrest. His dark brown eyes pierce right into me, taking my breath away and making my pulse hammer.
Rod.
CHAPTER 3
Roderick
Eddie’s party was a departure. I expected topless and naked women, lots of huge silicone tits and a never-ending flow of booze. In other words, I expected raunchiness. Eddie has set a precedent with his trademark over-the-top parties. The last thing I expected was for a bunch of us guys to hang out on a boat, catching up. Other than some of the staff––who were all fully dressed––there were no other women on the yacht. Since we were all confused, Eddie fessed up. He’s the lead actor on a blockbuster action series and his short-lived marriage had already caused enough talk. His recent divorce exploded in the news. The studio vetoed any possibility of Eddie embarrassing them by putting their foot down late last night when they caught wind of his party. Basically, any inappropriate conduct—on his part or ours—would end his very lucrative contract on the next six movies of the series. That’s all it took for a notorious bad boy to walk a straight line.
To make up for the lack of pussy, Eddie gave us the next best thing—a guaranteed adrenaline rush. The flying jet skis he rented were a blast. Speed, height, water and daredevil acrobatics. What more can a guy ask for?
By the time Eddie’s yacht docked, we had all showered, changed and feasted on a king’s meal. For a change, no one got wasted. The rest of the guys made their way to the gentleman’s club while my brother and I hopped in a cab heading to the Wordsworth. After the security check, Roark and I enter the Hera—the main party room.
“Looks like the entire team of‘Pushing the Distance’is here to celebrate Zoe’s birthday,” I say to my brother, scouring the crowd.
“Emma and Zoe’s best friend have—” Roark stops mid-sentence. “Whoa!”
“What?”
“Have you seen Dom since she got back?”
“No. Why?”
“Because your best friend came back from Europe a changed woman.”
“What are you talking about? Where is she?”
“Over there,” my brother points.
I search the crowd until I find her.
Shit.
Dom looks stunning.
I mean, sexy as hell.
