Page 3 of Beyond Friendship

A laugh slides past my lips. “Don’t you miss having a warm body to cuddle up next to? Someone who fits into your big double king-sized bed?”

He shakes his head slowly. “Nah, I’m good without all of that.”

We share a knowing smile—he needs every inch of that massive bed to sleep comfortably. Cole and I both don’t do relationships. The only big difference is he also doesn’t do one-night stands.

“I’m looking forward to the day you catch genuine feelings for one of the female species,” he says, raising his beer.

“Not going to happen. I’m content with a life full of temporary lust and desire. That serious shit is not for me.”

He gives me a mischievous smirk. “Just be careful, Foxy-boy. You never know when karma will come knocking—probably wearing some serious heels too—to teach you a lesson or two.”

I pat him on his shoulder as he takes another sip of his beverage. “Life is short; it can be over in a second. So carpe diem. I’m going to prowl. See you later.”

I cruise through the crowd of people on the dance floor. I love this intense, vibrant energy, and the loud music is a welcome murmur against the slumbering noises in my head. When I notice it’s not working tonight, I saunter to a dim corner and rest my back against the wall, pushing my thoughts back into the right mindset by focusing on my ultimate dream.

Becoming the owner of a bar/nightclub and turning it into the best one in Boston in the next six years. I can see it so clearly: bartenders crafting cocktails to perfection while exchanging lively banter with customers; a distant lounge area filled with friends relaxing and sharing stories over drinks; and the dance floor—beckoning them to move and groove to electrifying music chosen by Boston’s elite DJs. A grin stretches across my face at the sound of its name. Six-Pack—that’s perfect.

I must work hard, never give up, until I create something bigger than myself that remains long after I’m gone. I have no desire for children of my own, so achieving this goal will be the living legacy I leave behind.

A stream of determination flows through me and diminishes the obnoxious ones.Ah, much better.

As my eyes dart across the room, they pause on a goddess standing by the entrance door. My tongue flicks over my bottom lip as I try to calm my racing heartbeat. She’s beyond gorgeous, and more important... new.

The attractive woman shakes her head as she looks at her phone, swiping the screen with her finger. Her eyes survey it as if she’s reading an important email or message. Then she slides the device into the back pocket of her deliciously tight pants.

A man stops beside her and whispers something in her ear that causes her to spin around and poke him in the chest with a manicured finger. She says something to him that seems to throw him for a loop. He laughs and puts his hands up in the air as if to surrender, and watches as she walks away. I go back to checking a few text messages, but when I glance back up, my eyes somehow settle on the stunning woman again.

Now she’s talking to a man who is smiling at her, but her eyes dart through the room as if she’s searching for a way out, and when the guy says something while leaning toward her and touching her thigh, my feet come into action. Carnal appetite rises as I approach her. She’s around five-foot-seven with a delicate, yet regal figure, boasting an hourglass shape. Dark chocolate locks frame her heart-shaped face while elegant black heels, paired with tight leather pants, outline her toned calves in exquisite detail. Her rose-colored button-up blouse graces her curves perfectly. Lust roars through my veins when I realize what I plan to do—slide all those layers off her body. But before I do that, let’s help her get rid of mister dipshit, who clearly doesn’t see she doesn’t like his attention.

Stopping beside her, I slide my arm around her waist and say in a low voice,

“Ah, here you are, my goddess.”

It takes a moment, but then a smirk plays around the edges of her lips. “What took you so long, babe?” She places one palm on my chest and looks at where her admirer is standing—only to find him mumbling something and scurrying off. She turns back and time slows to a crawl as we look into each other’s eyes, an unspoken connection between us. My subconscious tells me to abort, but I continue to gaze into her depths that are a divine mixture of warm espresso, scattered with droplets of honey in the irises.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice soft and inviting.

“My pleasure,” I reply. “What’s your name? This is the first time I’ve seen a goddess in need around here.”

To my dislike, she takes a step back. But seeing her lips curl up in amusement as she answers my question with one of her own pleases me.

“Do you think you can seduce me with that line?”

I smirk, arching an eyebrow in challenge. With my gaze never wavering from hers, I reply in a low and suggestive tone, “Seduce you? Not likely. But I can certainly arouse your curiosity.”

She takes another step back, leaving a tantalizing distance between us. With her eyes twinkling with mischief, she tilts her head and asks in a playful tone, “Oh really? How do you plan on doing that?”

I step forward and let my fingertips graze her cheek, hoping she feels the spark of electricity that passes between us. Moving my other hand to the small of her back, I lean in closer, my mouth almost touching hers, and murmur softly, “Can you feel this chemistry between us, or is it just me?”

Our eyes lock, and another spark passes between us as she nods in agreement. “If we give in to it, we could create something spectacular tonight,” I say.

She takes a small, shaky breath and my heart thumps wildly as I wait for her response.

“I’m tempted, Mister...”

“Fox,” I fill in.

The corners of her lips quirk up into a tantalizing grin as she savors the name on her tongue. “But, Mister Fox, I’m waiting for someone.”

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