"I'm fine as well."
I turn to the bar and exhale, my only wish that I can escape as soon as possible. First, I have to make sure that India will be following me home, because that was our deal and I intend to collect on my end.
I'm searching through the bar fridge for another beer when Marina walks over and stands beside me.
"Things are going really well tonight, I think," she says, her eyes bright.
"Oh, yeah?" I find my beer, open it, and drink down a third of it. "How so?"
"I think India really likes John. He's right up her alley. He's a veteran."
"He didn’t see any action," I say. "He wasn't deployed to a war zone."
"Whatever," Marina says. "He's rich, professional, alpha, and he's incredibly hot in the looks department. What's not to love?"
"Yeah," I say, silently fuming. "What's not to love?"
"I think she may have finally found someone who can give her what she needs."
What India needs is my cock deep inside her. That's what she needs.
Damn, woman. It's like Marina's deliberately rubbing my nose in the fact that India has met her perfect man. She's so unaware of the fact that India and I have been fucking behind the scenes, lusting after each other, but are reluctant to dive in head first because of our business relationship.
How can a matchmaker be so blind?
Chapter 13
INDIA
I stand and look John over, thinking about Jon and how these two are so alike, and yet so different.
Even the name is the same, for God's sake. It's like Marina found the one man who is as close to Jon as possible just to goad me. She knows that Jon and I have been hovering around each other for several years without acting on our feelings. She totally disapproves. So she finds a Jon-clone, except with dark hair and eyes.
And far too smooth. John has all the lines down. He's extremely attentive. He's looking into my eyes purposely, watching my mouth as I talk, nodding, focused on me. I can feel his attempt to win me over. He feels so damn secure in himself, how attractive and rich and in control he is.
Usually, I'd be a bit weak-kneed at meeting someone like him. He does tick all my boxes. I like ambitious men. I like men who have a military background because it speaks to their courage – like my brother. I like men who know how to seduce me. You gotta respect that, right?
But then I glance over at Jon and see him standing with that beautiful blonde with the great body and I think how usually, he'd be going home with her, would fuck her senseless, and then probably never see her again.
That's what's keeping me from saying a full yes to Jon.
My heart starts to beat faster and at that moment, I have to leave.
"Excuse me," I say, interrupting John while he's discussing his investment business. "I'll be right back."
I leave the main living room and try to find the bathroom, because I'm feeling overwhelmed right now and need to take a few deep breaths.
I go upstairs and when I get to the door, someone grabs my arm, stopping me.
It's Jon.
"I've had enough of this bullshit," he says, pulling me close. "More than enough."
Then he kisses me, his hand slipping behind my head and pulling me up to his mouth. He devours me, his kiss so intense I'm breathless by the time it's done. He pulls away, his eyes burning into mine. "Let's leave."
"You want to leave now? We've only been here for half an hour."
"That's more than enough time to know."