Page 56 of Player For Hire

Maybe I should ask to waitress here if I couldn’t find a job.

Even at the thought, I was itching to get back to my computer. Not to put in an application to one of the fourteen publishing houses I’d researched in pure terror when I’d been fired, but to finish the chapter I’d been working on. Well, until Iona had dressed me and dragged me out to dinner.

I was getting used to being her paper doll, and I couldn’t say I minded. Especially with how Colder had looked at me when I came in. Like I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen with a side of scorching heat.

And now I was well aware what that gaze felt like on—all over—my body.

His eyes were the lightest blue I’d ever seen and so very watchful. He was busy as hell but he still kept stopping in to check on us.

“Tell me, Naomi…how did you ensnare my boy?” Duncan came down and sat on my side of the stools. He’d been striking out all night and Iona had taken at least three numbers that I'd noticed.

She worked a room like no one else. And she'd turned down many a man, including Duncan.

"I didn't ensnare him. We're just..."

"Just..."

What was I supposed to say to that? Colder is giving me lessons in the carnal arts? Orgasms for extra credit? I was steadily trying for my graduate classes in naked times?

"Seeing where it goes."

Duncan raised a brow at me. He features were craggier than Colder’s. A bit rougher hewn, but not in a bad way. Just different. Not sure how Colder had become my gold standard so fast, but he definitely was. "Does that mean I have a shot if he fucks it up?"

Colder turned around from the ice chest he was pulling from. He crossed to wherewe were and dumped the huge bucket into the basin somewhere below."Don't believe anything he says. It's eightypercent bullshit."

"Not this time." Duncan sipped his beer. "You're far too gorgeous for the likes of my friend."

"Is that right?" I grinned before taking another sip from my Paloma. They were going down far too smoothly. I was glad we were within walking distance of the apartment building, that was for sure.

"You know you're beautiful."

"No, she doesn't," Iona said from beside me.

"You're back." I wrapped an arm around Iona. "I missed you."

"You might need a water more than I do." She hugged me back, then she hopped back up on her stool. She held up a finger to Colder, who grabbed a glass. "The lawyer dude was boring. Is that all we have around here these days? Ugh."

Duncan held up his hand. "Sportswriter, right here."

Iona rolled her eyes. "Not you."

"Burned again," Colder said and set a large ice water in front of Iona and one in front of me. "Your cheeks are getting red."

I leaned my elbows on the bar to prop up my head. It felt very heavy all of a sudden. “Your tequila is very strong."

Colder grinned at me. "Or you have no tolerance."

"Both." Iona laughed.

Duncan leaned forward and looked at Iona. "And why not?"

"Why not what?” Iona’s voice was dry as dust.

"Why am I on the block list?"

"Because you are entirely too in love with yourself. You probably wouldn't know where to find a clit if it shouted and waved at you."

"Iona!" I covered my mouth as a few people turned at my outburst.