He walks on by, holding his tray full of strange creations, and then I move into the room to stare at the beautiful creature who is gazing fearlessly into my eyes. Why don’t I have any hold on her?
I’ve never had this problem before.
***
Ashiara
Damn it, Eduardo. How dare you abandon me and leave me alone with him!
Why does he keep staring?
Damn, I hope he doesn’t see how crazy he’s making me right now.
“So, Ash, you never did tell me your last name,” he murmurs with a sexy, low tone.
With a steady breath, I reply, “Branderwood.”
I have to keep everything clipped and short, and never give him an opening. That's an invitation for disaster.
“That’s very matter-of-fact,” he says with a mischievous smile.
I shrug, casually trying to play off my nerves.
“You asked, I answered.”
His lips tighten, and he leans against the wall in his expensive suit. I don’t have to know designers to see the perfect material begging to be touched. I try not to envision myself rubbing my hands anywhere on his body.
“So, you and Bity—I don’t get it.”
His confusion is genuine, and I don’t really understand that. Billy is damn good looking. If there was any spark between us at all, I’d go for it.
“Billy is a great guy. What’s there to get?”
“Are you an escort?” he blurts out, offending me instantly.
My cheeks redden, but not from embarrassment - I’m furious. What asshole has that sort of audacity?
“Excuse me, Tag. I need to get back to my paying customer,” I growl while standing up and losing the wobbling effect he once had on me.
Now I just want to slap this creep instead of wanting to kiss him.
“Hey, whoa. Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out so… crudely. It’s just… you’re smokin’ hot, and Bity doesn’t usually carry home a girl who looks anything like you. Matter of fact, he rarely has a girl at all.”
Duh, dumbass. He’s in love with Rene. Blind fools.
“You’ll understand that I still have the right to be offended. I’m going to get back to Billy now.”
He blocks my path when I go to walk by him, and he smirks as he stares down at me. He thinks he's cute. He is, but he's so smug and sure of himself.
“Any chance we can start over? I didn’t mean to come off as such a jerk. I’m actually quite charming, usually.”
I tilt my head, and using my sweetest vixen’s voice, I speak while taking a step toward him.
“I’m sure you can be, Tag.” My finger begins t
railing up his chest, and his breath hitches in response. “But… I don't forget that easily. Now move out of my damn way.”
The ice I just doused his sizzle with is enough to make his brow scrunch as he steps aside and lets me by. I hold back a triumphant smile, though it’s hard as hell to do.