I rolled my eyes. “Ugh! You were doing so well! Now we’re back to square one!”
He laughed and I wanted to leave more than ever. I wanted to leave with Owen. Let him do things to me. Break my out of this funk I had been in. We could get out of here and get drinks like normal people, without auctions and shady nightclubs…
But I had to stay on target. For Declan.
And that was exactly what I was going to do. No matter how sexy Owen was, this wasn’t the place to think about myself. Unless…
“The better question is – what are you doing in this dump? You don’t look like these other guys.”
“Oh, I’m just meeting an old friend. Well, not a friend, really. Just someone I know.”
Yup, there you go, mystery solved, I thought. He’s here on business.
“Well I need more than that,” I said, putting my glass on the bar.
He looked at me, then said, with a smile, “It’s someone I have a proposition for.”
“Ooh. And what kind of proposition would that be?” I picked the glass back up.
“Something that would help me in the long run, but right now I would rather be talking to you.”
Oh shit. I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted him, and now.
“Do you like it here?” I asked as I felt a blush creeping up my skin.
“Not really. It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Yeah. Then why are you still here?” I had to figure out if he was going to be participating in the auction or not.
“Do you want me to stay?” he said.
Yes. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
He grinned. I took notice of his lips, pink and full. I thought he was probably amazing in bed. I wanted to test that theory.
But then I saw Isabell across the room, waving at me, calling me to come over. She was heading for the curtained-off area where we had first met. I saw Ava and other girls were already there.
This was the worst time. What if I didn’t go? Maybe I could just stay with Owen and maybe even leave with him?
But I was only biding my time. I was on a mission.
“Is everything okay? You look distracted.”
“Yeah, um, it’s just that my friend is taking her time at the restroom. I’m worried she might be in trouble. I better go check.”
He was immediately concerned. His posture changed. He was ready to spring into action. “Do you want me to come with you? I know most of these guys, if they’re out of line, I can take care of them.”
I was impressed, but couldn’t say yes as much as I wanted to.
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine. Can you wait here?”
“If you’re sure. I hope your friend is okay.”
I smiled and hopped off the stool and headed towards the crowd of girls, ready to tell Ava and Isabell that I’d changed my mind.
Owen was my new goal.
Chapter 6