“Get in touch with our private investigator and call Finn, Muir, & Abernathy. We’re going to need a lawyer to calm these creditors down. Don’t mention any more of this tonight. I don’t want to ruin Coco’s birthday. We’ll discuss this Monday morning when we’re all back in the office.”

“Will do. I’ll go make a few phone calls now.”

An anger started to roar throughout my body like a wild beast. I flagged down the bartender and ordered a double scotch. As soon as he set it down, I threw it back as fast as I could.

“Everything okay?” Lorelei asked as she walked up to me.

“Yeah. Everything’s fine. Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, I am. It’s a great party.”

Feeling the way I was, I couldn’t stand not touching her. It became an obsession and not only did I desperately want her, I needed her. I grabbed her hand without saying a word and led her to a private room down a hallway.

“Where are we going?” she asked as I pulled her behind me.

“You’ll see.”

I opened the door and we stepped inside.

“Why are we in here?” she asked nervously.

“I just needed to get away from everyone for a while. I thought maybe we could talk in here in private.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know. Whatever you want to.” I sighed as I paced around the room. “Listen, Lorelei, I’m going to be completely honest with you. I hate games and I don’t play them. I am extremely attracted to you and you have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now.”

“Oh,” she said.

“Oh? Is that all you’re going to say?”

Chapter Sixteen

Lorelei

As I stood there nervously, I didn’t know what to think. Okay, I lied. I was beyond happy that Jack was interested in me. I was attracted to him just as much as he was attracted to me. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, it was a losing battle. Every day I saw him, the attraction grew stronger. I kept hearing my mother’s voice inside my head. “Tonight, you’re not a mother. Go be that young girl who always liked to have a good time.”

I walked over to where he was standing. His eyes were pleading and had a look of distress. It was a look I hadn’t seen since I’d met him. Courage found its way to me as I wrapped my arms around his neck and softly brushed my lips against his, a move that would ultimately lead to a bad ending.

He placed his hand on my cheek as our eyes locked intently on each other. Tilting his head and lowering it, his lips gently met mine. He was unsure. I could tell. But I started it and he was going to damn well finish it. Our soft and gentle kiss turned into a passionate one before too long. His hand wrapped around the nape of my neck as he pulled me closer. His lips were soft and warm, the type that sent the most exhilarating sensation between my legs. It was done. The line had been crossed and there was no going back.

****

Jack

Kissing her was everything I dreamed it would be. The way our lips moved together in sync and the way our tongues tangled against each other overwhelmed me. I’d kissed a million women in my lifetime, but kissing Lorelei was different. My cock immediately rose to the occasion without hesitation. I needed to be inside her. I needed to feel her naked body against mine. I was willing to forsake everything for this one night. One night with her was all I needed. But not yet. Not now. Not here.

I broke our kiss and placed my palm on her cheek. With a smile, I spoke, “We better get back out there before someone notices we’re missing.”

“Good idea.” She gently smiled.

“You go first so no one suspects anything. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“Okay.” She nodded her head and, as she was about to walk away, I grabbed her hand. She turned around and looked at me. Our eyes stared into each other’s and no words were needed. I let go of her hand and she left.

I took in a sharp breath and waited for my cock to go down. I felt winded. If she made me feel like this with one kiss, I couldn’t wait to find out how she made me feel while I was buried deep inside her. I walked out of the room and saw Garrett at the end of the hall. He looked at me with concern.

“What were you doing in there?” he asked.

“I just had to get away from everyone and collect my thoughts after what you told me.”

“I called Ron Lee, the private investigator. He’s going to start on this right away and find that son of a bitch.”

“Good. And what about Finn, Muir, & Abernathy?”

“I called Tim and he’s putting us in touch with Avery Lewis, an associate there.”

“Why the fuck isn’t one of the partners handling it?”

“He said if anyone could get the job done, it’s her.”

I sighed. “He better be right.”

We walked to the bar together just as the staff brought out Coco’s birthday cake and everyone gathered around and sang “Happy Birthday.” I looked across the room at Lorelei as her smile shined brighter than the twenty-nine birthday candles that lit up the cake. Once the candles were blown out and everyone clapped, I walked over to Lorelei and handed her a drink.

“I figured you could probably use one more.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk, Mr. Sutton?” The corners of her mouth curved upwards.

“Of course not. Why would I do such a thing?” I winked.

****

Lorelei

Liquid courage. It was what I needed after that intense kiss we shared. He took my breath away and left my body craving more. A craving that I hadn’t felt in so long; if ever, to be honest. There was something about Jack Sutton that mesmerized me. He was the magnetic field and I was the electrical charge that was drawn to him.

“I think I need some fresh air,” I spoke.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

“Yes. It’s just a little warm in here.”

I began to walk out of the club and Jack followed behind. Once the doors opened and I stepped out into the cool air, I felt like I could breathe again.

“Better?”

“Yes. Much better.” I smiled. “You don’t have to stay out here. Go back inside and enjoy the party.”

“Nah. I’m good. How about if I call Tony to pull the car around and we go back to my place for a drink?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Jack. I think I’m just going to catch a cab and head home. It’s getting late.”

He placed his hands in his pockets and looked down at the ground. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right. But please let me take you home. I think I’ll head home myself.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind taking a cab.”

He looked at me with a small smile. “I’m positive.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and called Tony to bring the car around. After slipping his phone back in his pocket, he took off his suitcoat and wrapped it around my shoulders.

“You look like you’re cold,” he spoke with his hands clasped around my arms.

“Thank you.” I brought my hand up to his and, instantly, my body heated.

He felt it too as he took in a sharp breath. A few moments later, Tony pulled up and Jack opened the door for me. After climbing inside, he shut the door, walked around to the other side, and slid in next to me.

“I think we should talk about what happened earlier,” I spoke as I looked at him.

“Okay. If you would like.” He swept his hand over my cheek.

I gulped.

“I—I—” I fumbled with my words.

“You liked it and you enjoyed it,” he spoke as I saw the corners of his mouth slightly curve upwards.

“Well, yes. I did. But—”

“Shh.” He ran his thumb across my lips. “I did too and I want to do it again.”

He leaned closer to me and my breath hitched. My heart started to pound and my skin began to heat up as if someone had set me on fire. I didn’t tell him no. I couldn’t tell him no because the truth was that I wanted him to kiss me. His lips gently brushed against mine, and soon, his gentle kiss became passionate. Our lips locked and moved together as if we’d been kissing each other forever. His hands cupped my face as his tongue met mine. A low growl escaped him, heightening my desire to want more.