They retook their seats just in time for the waiter to arrive with a chilled bottle of white wine. The menu was overwhelming, both in terms of price and options, so I simply asked for the night’s special. I didn’t want to keep the guys waiting longer than necessary.
“You look beautiful, Julia,” Dylan told me from across the table.
“You think so?” I asked. “I feel like everyone is staring at me.”
“That’s because you’re breathtaking,” Cash complimented.
“You’re all very easy on the eyes yourselves.”
“Hm,” Red grumbled, crossing his arms.
I frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“He’s just jealous because the waiter was checking you out.”
“Oh?” Beneath the tablecloth, I placed my hand on Red’s knee and lightly squeezed. He stiffened slightly, so when I dragged my hand slowly up his inner thigh and found the hard outline of his stiffening erection, I knew precisely why. “Pay the waiter no mind. We have more important things to discuss.”
“Is that so?” Cash asked. “Like what?”
“What kind of journalist would I be if I didn’t ask you a few questions now that we’re here?”
“Ah, so this is a business dinner,” Dylan said.
Beneath the table, I tapped his ankle with the tip of my shoe, carefully tracing my foot up the inside of his calf. Dylan sat perfectly still, watching me intently. The only indication that I was having any effect on him was the way his green eyes darkened, and his nostrils flared.
I shrugged casually, more than a little aware of the unquenchable heat starting to pool between my legs. I slipped my shoe off before discretely continuing up the length of his leg, carefully pressing against the undeniable tent in his pants. “Half-business dinner, half-personal. I like to strike a balance when I work.”
“What are your questions?” Cash asked, lifting my free hand to kiss the backs of my knuckles. “I’m assuming all of these are on record?”
I nodded. “How are you all feeling now that we’re here in Vegas? Especially given all the obstacles you’ve had to endure.”
“I feel like we’re living a dream,” Cash said softly. Something in the warmth of his gaze told me he wasn’t so much talking about his upcoming fight, but about me.
“What’s something you’re looking forward to after you win?”
Red arched a brow. “You make it sound like victory is a definite thing.”
“I said what I said,” I mumbled, palming him with the flat of my hand beneath the cover of the table. “There’s no doubt in my mind that winning will open a lot of doors for you. Are you most excited about the money? The fame?”
“I’m looking forward to the adoring fans,” Cash said wryly.
I smiled. “That’s a given. Everyone wants to be adored.”
“Even you?” Dylan asked from the other side of the table.
“Even me.” It came out as a whisper, the tension in the air thick enough to touch.
Their attention was intoxicating. I hadn’t even touched my wine, but every cell in my body felt drunk. Every nerve ending was on fire. My heart was racing so fast I couldn’t distinguish one beat from the next.
I felt powerful knowing that their captivation was mine and mine alone.
Dylan exhaled slowly. “When’s the damn food getting here?”
“I’m not even that hungry anymore,” Cash added.
“What a coincidence,” I said. “Neither am I. Not for food, at least.”
“Go on ahead,” Red said, voice low and rough. “I’ll take care of the bill and have our meals sent up. You two get a head start on pleasing our woman.”
A shiver rushed down my spine.
Our woman.
I had a feeling I was in for a long, long night.