Page 52 of Beyond Friendship

As Amanda and I part, our gazes lock with the intensity of a thousand burning stars. My body aches with longing, each passing moment making it harder to resist the temptation of kissing her right here on the spot. Damn, I am most certainly at risk of succumbing.

I turn, only to find the blond model from earlier standing before me.

“What seems to be the problem?” I ask.

With a mischievous glint in her irises, she takes a step toward me. “This,” she says, pointing to the lace strands of her corset top. I follow her fingertips as they toy with the strings.

“This needs to be pulled tighter.” She cups her breasts over the corset. “The girls need to be displayed perfectly for tonight.”

I stare at her hands. What some women will do to get attention.

“My friend Rachel told me you’re a man who knows how to show a girl a good time. And I love good times,” she purrs.

Amanda lets out a loud snort and I scowl internally, realizing I’m still staring at the woman’s cleavage. Well, not really because I’m still recovering from our moment, but I know she must think that I’m interested in this woman since it looks like I’m staring at her breasts.Fuck.

“Well… it’s clear you’re… needed. Enjoy presenting the girls and the good times, Mr. Fox.” Gone is all the warmth we shared a minute ago.

I call after her as she walks away, but she doesn’t turn around.Shit.

The event is an undeniable success,and the after-party is in full swing when Nick, Cole, and I join one another at the bar. Nick orders a round of drinks and I glance around the room in search of Amanda, but she’s nowhere to be seen. My desire to locate her and explain that nothing has happened or will happen with Fiona or any other model in this place is intense. As if summoned by my thoughts, the flirtatious model appears next to me.

“Mr. Fox, did you enjoy the sets I modeled?” Fiona asks, her eyes wide with seduction. “Would you like to go somewhere more private so I can give you a special performance?”

She doesn’t even acknowledge Nick and Cole as they exchange glances, and she brazenly runs her fingers down my arm. “Your club is so huge.”

Got to give it to her. She’s persistent.

I grasp her wrist and take a step back when her hand travels toward my trousers. “Thank you, Fiona. You looked amazing in those outfits, but like I said earlier, I’m not available.”

Her fake lashes flap as she blinks.

“Are you sure?” she asks, licking her lips.

I hide a curse. Unbelievable how thick this woman’s skull is. Right now I want to be blunt, tell her to fuck off, but I can’t. What if she causes a scene and ruins the end of Amanda’s amazing night? So, keeping my composure, I stick with being polite but clear.

“Yes, I’m very sure, Fiona.”

She shrugs and presses a note into my palm. “If you change your mind, call me.” And with that, she turns and ambles away, swinging her hips in search of her next target.

“Wow, did we just witness Fox saying no to carefree sex?” Nick quips.

Cole smirks. “Yeah, we did. Guess he’s maturing.”

Both men laugh as I roll my eyes while drinking my soda. Even though they are annoying right now, these two have been amazing friends during my six-week recovery. They had me over for dinner with their families multiple times and ignored my cranky ass when I couldn’t help them with sparring in the gym because a hit to the chest would be painful if it landed on the still fresh scar and might damage the device.

I crumple the piece of paper into a ball and drop it on the floor when my eyes find Amanda. The way she stood on stage tonight was captivating. Her charming personality shined like a rare diamond. No lingerie model could beat her natural beauty or match her intriguing energy. I watch as she and Alisha mingle with the guests. A smirk adorns my lips as my best friend watches his wife with lustful hawk eyes.

“You’re drooling, Cole,” I say.

“Yup, and I don’t care. The moment this after-party shit is over, I’m taking her home. Samantha is in LA with her best friend, so we have the whole house to ourselves.”

Nick nods, swirling champagne in his hand. “Same here. Charlotte and Liam are at my parents’.”

They make eye contact, exchanging disgustingly, expanding smiles. A pang of loneliness hits, and I find myself wanting to be one of them.

A little later, Alisha comes in and stops next to her husband with a wide, naughty grin. “Do you want me in bright or dark red?”

Cole smirks and swoops his arms around her, pulling her to him. Damn, the love between these two is solid as a rock.

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