“Dude, you sound like the fucking Yoda of relationships or something.” Tristan, not persuaded, punches Ryan in the arm. “We know you of all people won’t get serious, so that’s a load of crap.”
Ryan shrugs, as if he was purposely making fun of the situation. “Yeah, but it sounded like some deep shit, right?” He reaches into his duffle bag before tossing something my way. “But still, better safe than sorry.”
I catch the small square of foil and snicker as I realize it’s a condom. Apparently Ryan really does think I should give things with Kinsley a shot. He winks before getting up to sling his duffle over his shoulder.
“As much as I’m enjoying our little hen party, I’ve gotta get going. I’ll see you ladies at the shindig tonight.”
We each mutter our own comebacks while fist bumping and single-arm hugging our goodbyes.
I don’t feel like going to this party, but considering our firm just forked over two million dollars for DSGN, our latest client, to launch their new mobile marketplace, I sort of have to make an appearance.
While I may not be feeling it tonight, I’m excited to see this company take off. When I first met the company’s founder, Erik Evans, a year ago, he impressed me with his idea to create a modern, curated, online marketplace for designers to share their work and potential clients to browse for designers that might best meet their needs. It’s a brilliantly crafted site that has advanced sorting features and a clean layout, with a high standard of what gets showcased to ensure only quality work gets posted. It promises to aid both the designer and the client looking for solid work, and I think both advertisers and investors alike are going to eat it up.
Evans has worked hard on everything from his business plan to his team, so I know I can trust him to follow through. He’s willing to put in the effort to see DSGN become successful, which is a top quality I always look for in a CEO—dedication.
I pull up outside the tall building right in the middle of the downtown area and toss my keys to the valet. I hit the button for floor twenty-six in the elevator. We expect DSGN to expand quickly, so we decided it was best to get them a big enough office to grow into. I step into the lobby and notice quite a few people are already here. The party is spread out amongst the various offices and conference rooms. I make my way across the floor to find the bar. After the week I’ve had, I could seriously use a beer to take the edge off. Since it’s still technically a work function, I won’t get crazy, but one or two drinks can’t hurt.
I find the bartender in the largest conference room to my left and order a bottle of Yuengling. Just as I’m about to take my first swig I feel a delicate hand grab my bicep.
“Hey, Lucas. I was hoping you’d be here tonight.”
I look down at the expectant brown eyes staring at me from behind long, fake lashes. “Hey Chels. How’s it going? Erik treating you well, I hope.”
Chelsea (yes, my ex) is Erik’s assistant, which means I’ve been seeing her more often lately. When I first met Erik he was looking to hire someone, and at the time Chelsea needed a job so I recommended her. I think part of me still subconsciously feels guilty for how things ended and this was somehow a small way for me to make it up to her. Despite our past, she’s smart and qualified, and fits in great with the DSGN team.
“We were certainly busy getting ready for tonight, and I think he’s nervous about how it will go, but he’s still a great boss to work for.” She looks out at the gathering crowd, then back at me before adding, “Now that this party is actually happening, though, I could sure use a break tonight to have some fun.” I think I see her subtly rake her eyes down to my crotch, but when I blink she’s just smiling up at me sweetly. She knows we’re just friends so I must be imagining things. I really am off my game lately, and it’s messing with my head. I don’t know what else to do but smile awkwardly back.
Thank fuck Ryan and Logan choose this exact moment to come over and say hi. I give them each a nod and slide myself away from Chelsea. She just as casually moves close to my side again, seemingly using the other people hovering and waiting to get drinks as an excuse to be so close. Is this always how it is with us? Why all of a sudden do I find it to be so damn uncomfortable?
Logan gestures around the room. “This place looks great. I’d say this company has a real shot at being one of our best investments to date. Erik was just showing me the newest beta version of the site and it gets better every time I see it. I know I fought you on this at first, but maybe you’ve still got it, Graham.” He takes a swig of his beer and shoots me a taunting grin.
“Gee thanks, Sharp. I try and earn my keep around here.” I, too, take a drink of my own beer and look around. The place is pretty packed, a good sign that word is getting out. Chelsea grabs my arm as someone behind her pushes in to order a drink. I try to keep the conversation going with the guys so I don’t have to focus on her. “So where’s T? Think he got lost on his way over?”
“Oh, he’s here. Free food and booze and a chance to meet women? Like he’d pass that up!” Logan scans the room for his brother and points over to the side. “He already met some chick he’s hot for and looks like he’s trying to make his move.”
I look over to where Logan is pointing and see Tristan cornering some woman against the wall. He’s got his classic “player face” on—the one where he tries to act all charming and sweet while really just trying to get into a woman’s pants. I shift slightly to see who his poor victim is and suddenly I can’t breathe. Kinsley.
Dressed in a simple black dress with her long brown hair falling casually around her shoulders, she instantly has my full attention.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. Ryan must hear me and realize who I see because I hear him utter a barely audible Shit as well. Suddenly my legs have a mind of their own, and the next thing I know I abandon my beer at the bar and am heading straight through the sea of people scattered about the room until I stop right next to Tristan and Kinsley. I go for a playful slap to Tristan’s back, although it comes off harder than it should. “Come on Sharp, stop harassing my friend here.”
There I go using that “friend” word again. Why does is suddenly sound so lame?
What I really want to say is “Get the fuck away from my girl,” but, A. She is not my girl and B. I’m trying really hard not to scare her off.
“Friend?” Tristan looks utterly confused as he glances between me and Kinsley.
“Yeah, this is Kinsley. She’s renting my dad’s cottage. He entrusted me to look out for her while he’s gone, so that certainly means keeping her away from the likes of you.” I smile at Kinsley to let her know I’m joking (except I’m not). Tristan looks between us once more, then gets a big shit-eating grin on his face as he realizes who she is. Our conversation from earlier today rings in my ears and I narrow my eyes at him as if to say Yeah, that Kinsley. So keep your mouth shut and walk away before I have to kick your ass.
He must take the hint, because he says “I see then. Well, Kinsley . . .” He says her name real slow and deliberate, simultaneously shooting me a subtle, teasing glance. “ . . . if you’ve got this guy in your corner you’re in good hands. Luc here is nothing if not true to his word. If he told Papa Graham he’ll look out for you, you’re as good as taken care of.” And with that he leans back, literally backing off.
I could fucking kiss Tristan right now.
He winks at Kinsley—OK maybe I should punch him again instead—and then smirks at me before turning to leave. I slide a little closer to Kinsley and lean down to say, “Sorry about him. He’s mostly harmless, but he can be a bit of an ass. Hope he didn’t give you a hard time.”
“Nah. I could’ve handled him. But thanks for looking out for me, friend.” The way she says “friend” like that makes me want to kick my own ass for being the one to say it in the first place. Before I can even begin to apologize, she follows up with, “So, tell me. In addition to being my own personal handyman and bodyguard, what other benefits does being your friend come
with?” She raises a questioning eyebrow and the most devilish grin plays across her lips. This girl is good. She always manages to surprise me and I frigging love it.
Two can play at this game, though.
I reach out and brush a strand of hair off her face before leaning in close, putting my mouth dangerously close to her ear as if I’m about to reveal the dirtiest little secret. She lets out a small gasp and I hear her hold her breath as her pulse quickens. “I also happen to make a really mean grilled cheese.” She continues to hold her breath for a second, then lets it all out in a burst of full on laughter that makes her eyes light up.
Well, isn’t that just the best fucking sound ever?
I join in with my own chuckle as I realize the ridiculousness of my statement, but the plan was to throw her off. By the way she can barely breathe from laughing so hard, I’d say mission accomplished.
She finally starts to compose herself. “You’re crazy,” she says playfully.
“And you’re beautiful.”
OK, that was probably a little out of line for me to just blurt out, but I can’t help it. It’s true.
A smile breaks out across her flushed face, but then she looks down as if embarrassed by the compliment.
I move to stand right next to her and lean my back against the wall, stuffing my hands into my pockets. I’m afraid if I keep them out any longer I’ll be too tempted to touch her hair again.
Why did it have to be so fucking soft?
Changing the subject, she asks, “What are you even doing here?” She turns to look at me sideways, resting her head against the same wall I’m leaning on.
I grab my chest and feign an offended expression. “Wow. That hurts. Am I not cool enough to be at this kind of party?”
Just when I think she’s going to reply with some snappy comeback, she simply shrugs. “I’m just surprised to see you is all . . . in a good way.”
I can’t resist the way she blushes.
“My company invested some money into DSGN to help get it up and running.”
“Your company?” she asks, confused yet intrigued.
“Yeah—GS Ventures. My buddy Logan and I started up a capital investment firm a few years back. We like to help new companies get off the ground.”
“Really? I had no idea. That sounds like an amazing job.”
“It can be. It’s a lot of risk, but I love to see things grow from nothing into something.” Kinsley mulls that over, and while she looks like she has about a million questions she wants to ask me, she just nods. “So what brings you here, then?” I ask.
“My friend Kelley works for Burton Realty and I guess they helped you guys find this office. She invited me to come, although she seems to have disappeared.” She glances around the room trying to locate her friend. “Oh there she is, talking to Ryan by the bar.” She smiles to herself, as if she knows something I don’t.
“Oh right, you met Ryan when you signed your lease.”
“Yeah. Wait . . . you know him, too?” Before I can even get a word out she puts some of the pieces together. “I guess since he’s your dad’s lawyer you would know him, huh?”
“That, and he’s my best friend. That’s actually why he’s my dad’s lawyer. We grew up together so he’s like a second son. There is nobody my old man would trust more than Ry with his affairs.”
We fall into a comfortable silence as we both look out around the crowded room. After a minute or two Kinsley turns to me. “Wanna play a game?”
I look at her intrigued. “What kind of game?”
“Hmm . . . how about twenty questions?”
I’ll bite. This could get interesting. And friends should get to know each other better, right? “Only if we both get to do the asking.”
“Fair enough. I’ll go first. How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight. How old are you?”
“Twenty-five.” She stands up a little taller, as if used to defending her young age.
“Really, you’re only twenty-five? You really seem to have your shit together for being so young.”
“I could say the same thing about you, Mr. Graham. Favorite color?”
“Blue.” I don’t mention the fact that I specifically mean the exact shade of her eyes. “You’re going easy on me, I see.”
She looks at me, tilts her head up, and crosses her arms, challenging me. “Fine, I take that one back. What are your three biggest turn ons?”
Now we’re getting somewhere. I turn to fully face her and run my hand through my hair before answering. “Well, one is the way you just asked me that. Two would be seeing a woman in nothing but a sexy pair of underwear and a wet shirt, completely unaware of how gorgeous she is, and three would be meeting someone who is extremely smart and surprising and can make me laugh. You?” She just stares at me, processing what I just admitted. It wasn’t too obvious all three things were about her, right?
She mulls that over for a second before she starts ticking off her list, using her fingers to indicate each trait. “The first is confidence. Second is having my neck kissed, and third, I can’t resist a guy in a suit.”
I look down at my own black pants, white button up shirt, and black jacket, then meet Kinsley’s gaze. Before I have a chance to fully process what she said, she shoots right back with “Have you ever been in love?”
Damn, so much for the easy questions.
I stare at her for another long second before dropping my head and shaking it slowly. “Nah. Maybe I thought I was at some point, but I don’t think it was ever for real.”
Now it’s my turn to play dirty. “When’s the last time you had sex?”
She looks up as if thinking about it before standing up straight. “I guess it’s been a while.” She then looks me square in the eye before asking what turns out to be the game-ending question: “Want to help fix that for me, friend?”
And to think I didn’t want to come tonight.
Kinsley
Lucas raises his eyebrows in a mixture of amusement and excitement before grabbing my hand to pull me through the packed room.
I’ll take that as a yes?
I wasn’t lying when I said I was surprised to see him here tonight. It’s been a few days since he helped me with the paintings, and since I hadn’t heard from him I figured I really was misreading his intentions. But then he practically forced his friend away from me tonight and picked up right where we left off.
He has such a way of making me feel out of control, I figure the best way to counter that is to gain the upper hand. Ever since we met I felt some sort of connection, and, as crazy as it sounds, I already feel so comfortable around him. Like I can be myself. We can go from serious to joking to flirting in a matter of seconds and he doesn’t seem to judge me. He just rolls with it, which is refreshing and fun. There is clearly some sort of undeniable chemistry between us, and I figure if we just get this physical attraction thing out of the way I can go back to my normal life where every thought isn’t consumed by him. I bet we could be friends—friends with benefits, even—and not let it get weird. He doesn’t seem like he’s in any rush for a commitment either.
He maneuvers us through the crowd and turns right into the hall outside the conference room. The party is spread out amongst the various offices, and it seems as if all of the rooms are filled with people drinking and talking. We keep moving further down until Lucas takes a sharp left down a quieter corridor. Finally we reach the last office on the left and he pokes his head in to make sure it’s empty. He pulls me inside and closes the door behind us. I hear the click of the lock before I turn around to face him. The light from the hallway is diffused through the frosted glass windows of the office, casting a dim, seductive glow throughout the room. Lucas takes a hesitant step closer to me before stopping again. He intently studies my face, as if trying to read my thoughts. To let him know it’s OK, I move toward him. I reach my arms up to his chest as he moves his own hands to my shoulders. Our faces are so close I can feel his warm breath on
my skin.
“Are we really going to do this?” he asks in a husky voice.
There is something about the ambiguity of the way he says this that makes me wonder if we’re on the same page, so I decide to clarify. “It’s just sex, Lucas. As friends. No strings. I’m not looking for a relationship, so as long as you’re not, either, we’re good.”
He moves his face toward mine as confirmation, his hands sliding to cradle my neck as our lips connect. I’m surprised and overwhelmed by how right his mouth feels on mine that I’m pretty sure I let out a moan. My eyes roll to the back of my head. He runs his hands through my hair and gently pulls me closer.
I grab at his dress shirt and try to pull him even closer to me. Our mouths move quickly, hungry and desperate. Next thing I know he is walking me backwards until my thighs hit against the desk. As I perch my ass on the edge, using it for support, Lucas moves his hands to clear a path for me to scoot back. I hear papers and pens clattering as they get pushed aside before he removes his suit jacket and tosses it to the floor, his lips never leaving mine.
I feel a strong, warm hand caress my left leg from my knee up to my thigh, then it moves under my dress, grabbing my hip. He uses his left hand to grab my right knee and gently forces it aside so he can stand between my legs. Still gripping my hip, he pulls me toward him in a possessive move. I can feel how hard he is against me. His . . . package . . . is practically bursting through his pants. I decide now would be a good time to help him with that. And maybe help myself.
Like an overeager child unwrapping a present on Christmas morning, I reach down to grab his belt and quickly move the strap through the metal buckle, pulling back to release it. Our mouths still connected, I yank it all the way off with one hand as I reach up with my other to grab his shoulder. Sweet Jesus, his biceps are perfectly sculpted and solid. I get the top button of his pants undone and slide down the zipper when he grabs the sides of my face with both hands and leans his forehead against mine, breaking our heavy make-out session.
Crazy Beautiful (Crazy Beautiful #1) Page 5