Page 111 of The Naughty List

What the fuck–

I can’t believe she’s even heard of me, let alone wondered if I’d be here tonight. She steps back and gestures to our outfits, so similar it’s almost embarrassing. My cheeks bloom, like I’ve been caught out trying to copy her, but her smile is so bright that it’s plain she doesn’t think that at all.

“Congratulations, Holly,” she says. “What an impression you’re making. I was up to my knees in cow shit the other night, and on the way back Mr Mask wouldn’t shut the fuck up about you. I had to promise to swing from the bloody headrest next time he chases me, so thanks for that.”

People clamour around as she compliments me.

“Well done,” she says again, then tugs Josh –Weston– over. “This is Holly,” she tells him. “The stunner who is going to have me bouncing from the headrest.”

Josh looks me up and down with gorgeous bright green eyes, and my legs feel like they’re going to buckle right under me. I feel like I did when I first saw Connor up close, butterflies on butterflies… but I’m twenty-four now, not a teenager. This shouldn’t be happening, but it is. I can’t stop the sensations. I feel lightheaded, a smile still bright on my face as I struggle to handle myself.

Morning after syndrome has nothing on this.

“Hey, Holly,” he says and offers his hand for a handshake. “Tiff’s been talking about you. Says you’ll be in our hardcorer gang pretty soon at this rate.”

Eb claps her hands.

“She will be! I’ve been saying that from the start. You know she took eight last night. EIGHT. One of them hung her bra off some Rudolph antlers.”

Both Creamgirl –Tiff –and Josh laugh.

“Was that at, what’s it called… CR Corporate?” Tiff asks, and I nod.

“Yeah.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah. I did their party the year before last. He did the same to me. I bet they’re the same fucking antlers.” She laughs. “Only he hung my panties from the other side, and then danced in my goddamn stilettos like some kind of joker.”

“I got off easy, then.”

She raises her eyebrows with a dirty sparkle in her eyes, her natural kinkiness twinkling brighter than her tiara.

“Did you, though? I mean did you get off, for real? Taking eight is quite a tall order.”

My cheeks are scorching as Eb, Tiff and Josh all wait for my answer. There are other people around, too. So many entertainers waiting on what I have to say, so fuck it. I take a breath and tell the truth.

“Yeah, I did get off. A lot. I took my first ever fist and got off on that, too. I can’t believe it, honestly. It still hurts like a bitch but it was so crazy hot, it’s unreal.”

My idol, Creamgirl Tiff, gives me a high five.

She turns to Josh. “Ebony is right. We have us a hardcorer right here already.” She pulls me in for another hug. “Welcome to the club.”

It’s most definitely a club I want to be a part of.

I feel almost honoured as Tiff and Josh take a table with me and Eb, and the butterflies are at an all-time high as he sits down opposite me. I try to play it down, breathing steady, and the surroundings make it easier. I’m full on engaged in chat with Tiff about hardcoring, having a million questions that she answers without so much as a flinch. Eb is fascinated too, chipping in with questions of her own. But Josh keeps looking at me. I can feel it. His eyes burn, even when I’m staring over at Tiff’s sparkling eyes and awesome cleavage.

Surely not. A guy like Josh can’t be interested in a girl like me…

The conversation flows, so natural it’s like I’ve known them all my life, but the butterflies don’t stop, and the flutters only get worse. Josh’s grin drives me insane, and his laughter gives me tingles.

“I’ll get us some more champagne,” he says when we’re done with our third round.

Tiff wastes no time. She gestures an elbow in his direction as he walks away to the bar.

“Do you fancy him?” she asks me across the table.

I suck in air. “Sorry, what?”

“Josh,” she says. “Do you fancy him? It’s pretty obvious he fancies you.”

---