Page 2 of Addicted

I glared at him, “It means you should go buy someone else a drink because you are wasting your time with me.”

“You’re guarded, and I can see that,but you’re also beautiful and sexy as hell. Let me take you upstairs.”

I smile, “Not today. I don’t have time, anyway. I have to be at Carter’s Book Nook in an hour.”

Giving me a sexy grin, he says, “After that then,” he adds, “I’m in room 603 if you want to have a drink later.” He shakes his head, “Enjoy your drink, Stella.”

Running his hand from the back of my neck to my shoulder, he says, “It was such a pleasure meeting you.”

When he touched me, I felt something I’ve not felt with any of my sexual partners. Excitement traveled through my body, making me crave his touch.Stella, stop it. Biting my lip, I try to erase the feeling of his hand on my body. I pay my bill and head back to my room to shower quickly and change for my signing.

* * *

As I go into the bookstore, I notice there’s a massive line of people waiting for me. I wasn’t expecting this type of reception. I’ve had several novels in the top ten, but this is my first in the number one spot. It’s hot as hell here today. A bead of sweat drips down my neck.

We’re in Las Vegas, and the publisher has a rep here as well as my literary agent, Bethany. Sitting at a table, I signed a book for a couple hundred people. As I go to get up, Bethany says, “It looks like you have one more.”

I gulped, “Jamie.” I look up into his piercing eyes and melt slightly. It’s Jamie from the bar. I smile, “I didn’t have you pegged as a reader of romance novels. This one has a lot of sex in it. I hope you can handle the heat.”

“I can take all the heat you want to give me.”

I intake a sharp breath.Sign his book Stella. You look like an idiot.“Anything special you want me to write?”

A smirk displays across his lips, “Yes, write…I’ll see you later tonight.”

I do as he asks, but wonder what the hell I’m thinking.

“Why did you want me to write that?”

He beams at me, “It’s practically a contract now. If you don’t show up, I’ll have to sue you.”

I laugh, “I’m not sure that will hold up in court.”

“Maybe not, but I’d get to see you again.”

Touching my hand he says, “Sweet Stella, I’ll see you soon, 603.”

He leaves and I wish he’d stop touching me. No. That’s not true. I wish he’d touch me everywhere. I shake my head.

Bethany asks, “What the hell was that?”

“I met him in the hotel bar.”

“He’s an author. Bad idea. You’d have to see him again and I know you don’t do that sort of thing.”

“I will not sleep with him if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Good.”

Bethany has been my agent for the last decade and knows me well, maybe better than I know myself.

“One day, Stella, some man is going to pierce your armor and sweep you off of your feet.”

I laughed at her, “Are you writing a romance novel now? That’s the only place where the happily ever after shit happens.”

“No, it’s not. People fall in love every day, Stella.”

I retort, “Maybe, but they don’t stay that way. Divorces also happen every day.”

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