Page 26 of The Trouble With Attraction (Rock Canyon, Idaho 6)

Eric sniffled a little and held his hand over his heart just to be an ass. “Yeah sure, ditch your wingman. That hurts, man.”

Everett’s gaze narrowed dangerously and he practically growled, “You don’t know what hurt is…yet.”

Eric backed away slowly. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. It’s cool; I’ve got my own game to run, anyway.”

“Pretty sure the game isn’t interested,” Everett said.

Eric rubbed his hands together. “The fat lady hasn’t sung yet, my friend.”

He ducked back into the crowd, following the way Gracie had gone. He found her next to the bar, sipping on some pink fruity drink with two floating eyeballs in it.

“That looks disgusting.”

She took a long sip, her lips curled around the straw and let out an “ahhh.”

“It’s delicious. Wanna try?”

She held the drink out to him and he took a sip, his gaze never leaving her.

And grimaced.

“Too damn sweet. I prefer my alcohol bitter or burning.”

Gracie laughed that high, tinkling sound that reminded him of bells. “So, you wanna have kittens with me huh? What happened to just being friends?”

“Hey, you were the one who wore the sexy cat costume. I’m not responsible for my actions when you show up looking like that.”

She finished the rest of her drink and stepped a little closer, her black gloved hand running over his chest. His heart slammed against the pace she’d touched.

“Did you just call me sexy?”

Eric’s hand came up to rest on her hip. “You know what I think of you, Gracie.”

* * *

Gracie’s stomach dropped as she stared up into Eric’s dark eyes. She had no idea what was happening. She’d planned on going as a sexy wolf tonight, but that old cat costume had caught her eye and for some reason, she’d thrown that on instead. She hadn’t even known Eric was going to be here, as it wasn’t really his scene.

But once he’s lifted that mask, and raked his gaze over her, she’d been thrown back. Her palms had started sweating through her gloves and her skin had practically tingled.

Now, his hand burned through the thin fabric of her cat suit, branding her hip with his touch.

“I do?” she said, just loud enough to be heard over the music.

“Yeah. You know that I think you’re beautiful, and sexy, and sweet.”

“Oh…”

“You’re also annoying and bossy and—“

“Let’s just stop at sweet, shall we?” she said.

Eric’s finger’s dug in as he brought her closer. “Honestly, Gracie, I’ve always thought—

“Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt, but are you Gracie McAllister?”

Both of them swung towards the intruder, a smartly dressed man in a dark suit and tie, his brown hair cut short. His features were almost pretty they were so slim and perfect.

“Um, yeah, I’m Gracie.”

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