Page 56 of Mr. Hook-up

“That’s an impressive decision,” I told her.

It certainly wasn’t every day that a twenty-eight-year-old—an equation I’d done during her interview—could afford a condo in this city, never mind this particular area, especially without help from their parents.

Support like that was something Drake didn’t have.

But her salary was quite substantial, and based on the negotiations we’d had several weeks ago, I knew she had done just as well at Faceframe. What that also told me was that she was extremely smart with her money, a quality I found sexy as hell.

“You know, the crew enjoyed getting to know you a little more tonight,” I said. “It’s too bad they’re not as lucky as me and they didn’t get to catch you in the men’s room.”

“Lucky?” She smiled, a redness moving across her cheeks. “More like embarrassing as hell.”

“The incident itself, maybe, but the irony of it—yes, that does make me lucky.”

She stopped at the next block and turned toward me. “I don’t understand.”

I couldn’t blame the vodka.

I’d had only one glass, and it would take at least two more before I felt a buzz.

This was me.

Wanting.

Needing.

Desiring.

“Listen, if I’m going to walk into a men’s restroom and see a woman standing there, I’m just saying, I would want it to be you.”

She searched my eyes while she gnawed away on that beautiful bottom lip.

“Have I confused you, Drake? Or have I made you speechless?”

She mashed her lips together. “Both.”

“Are you really that surprised? I’m positive you’ve felt my eyes on you long before tonight.” I glanced at her building, estimating that we were about twenty yards away. “Honestly, I’ve thought about doing this since your interview.”

“Doing ... what?”

“Kissing you.” Since I was much taller, I gazed down, holding her cheek to point her face up at me, and I swiped the lip she had been chewing.

Her gloss stuck to my skin, but that didn’t stop me from doing it again.

And then again.

“I don’t know why, but I can’t get you out of my head. I’ve tried. Fuck me, I’ve tried.” That gorgeous mouth on mine was everything I wanted, but I wouldn’t ravish those lips until I knew it was all right. “Drake, tell me it’s all right to kiss you.”

I waited for her response. A movement, confirmation—anything. But she was frozen, staring into my eyes until I finally heard, “Yes. It’s all right.”

I dipped in closer, but not toward her mouth. I stayed near her neck, pausing, whispering, “Coconut. I’ve been ... dreaming about this scent.”

This spot, the nearness—she was setting my body on fire.

The flames licked up my fingers as I gripped her tighter, dragging my nose up her throat on my way to her jaw. I stayed there, breathing, knowing my exhales were rushing across her face. And when I finally lifted, my lips hovered above hers for just a second longer before I closed the distance between us. I fucking moaned the second our lips touched and again when my tongue collided with hers.

A taste that must have been in one of my fantasies because I remembered it.

And as I took in more, it was like returning home.

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