Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“That woman,” he said through gritted teeth, his eyes still on her. “I don’t know what it is about her, but she drives me crazy.”
I tossed back some more bourbon. “Okay, but we were talking about me. My problem. So you think just go over and say, ‘Hey, want to go up to my room?’”
Moretti made a face like he’d sniffed something bad. “Is that how you’re going to do it?”
“What was wrong with that?”
“You need more subtlety, more smolder. You can’t just proposition her like that.”
“Well then, show me how to do it,” I said impatiently, eyeing her across the room. She was laughing at some other guy’s joke and touching his arm. He was alarmingly buff and good-looking too. A stab of jealousy pierced my gut.
“Okay, try it like this.” Moretti lowered his chin for a second, and when he raised it again, his eyes were hooded and seductive, and he spoke in a low, sultry voice. “Hey. What do you say we ditch this crowd and go someplace quieter?”
I blinked. “Wow.”
Moretti dropped the act. “Okay, now you try it.”
I took a deep breath and tried to arrange my face the way he had. I leaned toward him and repeated his words.
He frowned. “It’s not quite right. Maybe try it like this.” His face went from critical to come hither, and he swayed toward me again. “Hey. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had about enough of this crowd. You want to get out of here?”
“Oh, now see? That’s more like it.” Bianca had snuck up on us, catching Moretti pretending to seduce me. She sighed and sipped her wine. “I gotta say, real couple or not, you two are sexy as hell. Do you have a YouTube channel? I’d like to subscribe.”
Moretti rolled his eyes and looked at me. “Go. You got this. I’ll handle the viper.”
“Okay.” I loosened my tie a little—why was it suddenly so hot in here?—and made my way through the crowd toward where Cheyenne stood chatting with some people I didn’t recognize. The room spun a little, and the floor seemed to tilt beneath my feet. I’d definitely drunk too much too fast. It gave me a moment’s pause—maybe coming onto her after this much bourbon was a mistake?
But then it was too late. I’d reached her side, and she turned to smile at me. “Hey, Cole. Have you ever met my cousin Liam Dempsey?”
Understanding and relief swept through me. The buff dude was her cousin. And if memory served, he was a Navy SEAL who lived somewhere out east. “I think we met once way back when.” I offered my hand, and Liam shook it.
“Good to see you, Cole,” he said.
“And this is his wife, Natalie.” Cheyenne gestured toward a pretty blonde whom I hadn’t noticed standing on his other side.
“Nice to meet you.” I shook her hand as well. “You’re from out of state, right?”
Liam nodded. “Virginia Beach. We were lucky to make it in late last night. So many flights were canceled today.”
“Hopefully, you’re not stuck here for weeks on end,” said Cheyenne. “They’ve got two kids,” she said to me. “Aarabelle and Shane.”
“Oh, really? Did you bring them with you?” I asked, thinking Mariah might like having some kids to hang out with at the reception.
“No, they’re back home,” Natalie said. “Our daughter is in second grade and had school today, and our son is only three. We decided to take a long weekend just for ourselves. We haven’t done that in forever.” She wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist and he gathered her close, kissing the top of her head.
Another stab of envy—I wished I could touch Cheyenne in front of people like that. Go away with her. Spend the night with her.
But it was impossible.
“Well, enjoy,” I said. “I’ve got a nine-year-old daughter, and I know how hard it is to get away.”
“His daughter Mariah is standing up in the wedding tomorrow,” Cheyenne added. “She’s just the sweetest thing ever.”
Natalie beamed. “She must be thrilled. How exciting to stand up in a wedding at that age.”
“Yes.” I wasn’t sure what else to say—and how on earth was I supposed to entice Cheyenne up to my room with an audience looking on?
Thankfully, Cheyenne put things in motion. “Well, it’s getting late,” she said, looking into her empty wine glass. “And I’ve probably had enough wine tonight.”
“I hear you,” Natalie said. “I had to cut myself off already or I’d be a mess tomorrow.” She looked up at her husband. “What do you say, babe, should we turn in?”
“Sure.” Liam nodded at Cheyenne and me. “See you guys tomorrow. Sleep well.”
“Goodnight.” Cheyenne faced me as they retreated, giving me a smile. “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” I knew what I was supposed to say, but somehow my tongue was tied in knots and I couldn’t get the words out.