Page 45 of Twist of Date

Taking her on the floor and being unable to make it to the bedroom is a true testament to how long this chemistry between us has been simmering. And as I’ve always expected, one night with Layla James would never be enough. Which is why I wandered down here earlier to ask to talk to her.

Now that I’ve assured her there will be no client lines crossed, I plan to take full advantage of my time with her.

“Hey you.” Her voice is smooth and the sound embraces my entire being and I force myself to remain cool.

“Hi.” Is all I manage to produce. ’Cause I’m smooth like that.

“Polly wanted me to tell you that she’s sorry about the wingman date,” she says, a bemused smile on her lips.

I shiver. “It was the worst date I’ve ever been on.”

She looks down, clearly hiding her enjoyment of my peril. When she looks back up, I see she’s going for concern, but I see right through it. “And I know how hard that is for you. But you see, it may have been my fault.”

My eyes narrow. “How so?”

She bites her bottom lip, but her eyes glitter with laughter. “I told her you were too cocky for your own good and to not take it easy on you. Pair that warning with the family stuff she had going on personally, she took it to heart and well, she was harder on you than she should have been.”

My mouth opens. “I knew it.”

Layla’s lips smash together and she shakes her head.

“I should have demanded a redo just to remove the tarnish of that horrible date off my record, but I don’t think I could stomach it again,” I tell her. Shit. I refuse to let that date cause me any more thought.

“No, no, it’s not necessary.” She waves her hand. “What was it you wanted to talk about?” She tries to move our conversation along.

“Well, now I’m not sure I want to talk to you anymore, you devil woman.” I cross my arms over my chest.

She laughs and the sound tingles my senses. “Oh, you’re being a big baby right now.”

I glare at her but can’t fight my own stupid grin when I look at how much joy she’s getting out of my hurt ego. She reaches out and places her hand on my forearm.

Touching in public. That’s a good sign.

“Common, I’ve got to get back to the event in a bit.”

I maneuver my arms out of my pocket to snag her hand to drag her out of the room behind me. She drops my hand as we enter the small hall. We walk in the opposite direction from the restrooms toward the back door that leads up to my offices.

I know I can’t take her far, but since it’s later in the evening, I know we are as private as we can get.

“Come over tonight. After the dating thing is over.”

Her brows dip. “Cole, I shouldn’t.”

“Do you regret sleeping with me?” I ask, my tone light, hoping to sound carefree but fuck me if she does, it’s gonna hurt.

She looks away, back down the hall before looking up at me. “No.”

“You enjoyed it.”

“I did,” she agrees.

“Then let’s do it again.” I move a smidge closer but refrain from touching. The hand holding was clearly too much.

“Cole, I just don’t think it’s a good idea,” she whispers.

“Why?”

“You’re still a client of HEA.” She huffs.

---