“How have you been?” he asked, swaying to the music.
“Same as last time we spoke. Work keeps me busy,” she said, her cheek close to his so they could hear each other speak. “You?”
“The same. I’ve had lot of meetings with my coaches, watching film of potential starters for various positions. A lot of late nights.”
She laughed. “I suppose we’re two workaholics.”
“Hey. I take time to have fun. In fact, I’m going to Vegas in a couple of weeks with my business school buddies.”
“The one with Asher.”
He nodded.
“Now that sounds fun,” she said with a smile.
The couple behind them bumped into Jade, shoving her against Knox. He steadied her, pulling her to him and keeping her there.
“I’ve been setting up appointments for Holly. She wants to start early, and I think it’s a good idea for her to meet with the vendors the couple who cancelled had already booked, since it will be hard to get anyone else at this late date. I’m hoping she’ll be happy,” Jade said.
He chuckled. “Now that she has her favorite hotel, she’s flying high. I promise you, she won’t be one of your Bridezillas.”
She laughed. “Good to know.”
They continued to move against each other, the music segueing from one slow song to another. Sometimes they talked, other times, they simply swayed in comfortable silence, but Jade made no move to leave, and he had no desire to let her go. Even when the photographer stopped them for a photo, she came right back into his arms.
“Oh, wow. People are leaving,” Jade said, glancing around for the first time.
“We could get going, too.” He stopped their movement and met her gaze. “Together.”
“I—”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Don’t overthink it, Jade. It’s just one more night.” He hoped there’d be more, but for now, he just wanted to ease her into spending more time with him.
Her tongue darted out, and she licked his finger, causing his dick to stand at attention.
He took that gesture as a definite yes. “Do you have to stick around for cleanup?” he asked, removing his hand.
She shook her head. “We have a crew for that. But I should talk to Aurora and Sasha before I leave and make sure they’re satisfied with the night.”
He glanced at the table where the Kingstons had been sitting. “I think they’re long gone.”
Her eyes opened wide, and she looked over at the empty table, checking for herself. “I guess I’ll have to call them tomorrow.”
“If either of them had needed you, they knew where you were.” He tipped his head toward the center of the ballroom. “Don’t get stressed out if nothing is wrong.” He’d already begun to realize how seriously she took everything in her life, and he admired her work ethic.
She nodded. “You have a point.” She slid that tongue over her lips. “Umm, I reserved a hotel room for the night. It was easier to dress here and sleep over since the night would end late.”
He hadn’t expected her to say yes so easily, let alone invite him to her room upstairs. “Is that an invitation?” he asked, just to be sure.
She lifted her chin and nodded. “It’s a quicker trip than to either of our apartments.”
“Let’s go, beautiful.” He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “I can’t wait to taste every inch of your skin.”
A visible tremor rippled through her, and her eyes dilated with need. “I need to grab my purse.”
He followed her to her table, and she retrieved her bag. Then he took her hand, leading her out of the ballroom and straight to the elevators. He wanted her in his arms—and his cock buried deep inside her body—as soon as possible.
***