Page 10 of The Holiday Hookup

“Time for another,” he says, his eyes boring into mine. Can he see what he’s doing to me? The instant effect he has over me?

I break eye contact and turn back to the bar. I order two shots and the bartender rushes to pour them as Lorenzo steps up next to me, placing his elbows on the small counter.

“Introduce me to your coworkers,” he says. I look outside, seeing Victor surrounded by our department at the table I left him at earlier. I turn back when I hear the bartender place our drinks on the counter.

Lorenzo reaches for one of the glasses, bringing it just under his nose. “Jägermeister, interesting choice.”

“Nothing interesting about it, Lorenzo. It’s a great drink.”

“It is.” His tongue flicks across his lips before he takes the shot, making it my turn to stare. He places the empty glass atop the counter, the bartender clearing it immediately. “I’ll take another Fireball, on the rocks this time. And for you? A vodka-cran?”

I don’t think it was his intention, but the fact that he thinks he’s got me pegged as some basic girl who likes basic drinks really ticks me off. Vodka-cran is agreatdrink, by the way. It’s a solid choice and always satisfies.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” I say instead of agreeing to my go-to cocktail, because fuck him. The bartender gets to work and I take my shot of Jäger while we wait.

“Remember, not a word about last night. And keep your paws to yourself, I don’t need rumors flying around when they couldn’t be further from the truth,” I warn Lorenzo.

“Chill, princess. I’m not a wild animal.”

I grit my teeth. “And don’t call me princess.”

“Fine,” he says, a pleasant smile stretched on his face. When the bartender places our drinks on the counter, I lead us to the table and approach my coworkers.

“Hey, guys,” I say with a bright, cheery smile plastered on my face. “This is one of the new hires, Lorenzo.” When Victor gives me a curious look, I add, “Rowan wanted me to show him around.”

Lorenzo’s eyebrow twitches. So what if it was a lie? I can’t explain therealreason I’m introducing him.

Because he’s hot as all hell and you can’t help but be near him.

“Welcome to the family,” Victor says, holding his hand out for Lorenzo. “This is my boyfriend, Joey.” They shake and Lorenzo takes one of the empty seats. I hesitate a moment before taking the one next to him.

“This is Alexandra, Matteo, Jeremy, Dominique, and Jasmine,” I say, pointing to each person as I introduce them. They smile or wave while Lorenzo nods to each of them. “We make up the finance department.”

“So you’re the ones making sure I get paid. Excellent,” Lorenzo says while looking at me, then turns his attention to the group. I don’t miss the twinkle that was in his eyes as everyone laughed.

Just as before, he makes instant chatter with everyone, leaving me wondering if he’s the new hire or I am. Jasmine, who’s seated next to me, asks me a question about the upcoming audit, and I’m swept into a conversation with her.

The tablecloth tickles my thigh, and I glance down but don’t notice anything. Returning my attention to Jasmine, I listen to her plan for the next month when I feel a rough, warm hand on my thigh. I jump in surprise, my knee banging into one of the table’s bars.

“Are you okay?” Jasmine asks, glancing down. I follow her line of sight but there’s nothing to see.

“Yeah, I, uh, think there was a bug or something,” I say. But the hand on my thigh squeezes, then starts to rub its palm against my thigh. I squirm a bit and my cheeks instantly burn. While Jasmine keeps rambling about the next month’s tight schedule, I glance over to Lorenzo’s lap.

Sure enough, his arm cuts off at the bicep, hidden beneath the tablecloth. I look up at him but he’s listening intently to Victor. His lip tilts up, though.

Sneaky son of a bitch.

I’m deathly afraid someone will notice what he’s doing, but god it feels so fucking good. I don’t want him to stop, which equally scares and excites me. When his fingers reach my inner thigh, he gives a light squeeze before rubbing his palm back to my outer thigh.

Over and over, his hand tortures me and my panties dampen from the tease. My clit pulses, wanting more. Needing more. If he would just move his hand higher, right to my—

You’re at your work holiday party!

That snaps me out of my hypnosis, and I choke down a sip of Fireball.

“Lorenzo! What department will you be working in?” He turns to me, his expression neutral and impassive, as if he’s not working his hand slowly up my thigh and towards my burning, soaking center.

“Marketing. Web design, specifically,” he replies effortlessly. His lips are curved up ever so slightly, and I can’t be sure I’m not imagining it simply because I know what he’s doing to me.

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