Page 94 of Player For Hire
Drinking was bad.
Especially drinking and fucking your brains out all in the same hour. I was pretty sure there was actual whiskey coming out of my pores.
“You alive?” I asked.
“Partially,” she said against my chest.
I wasn’t sure when she’d collapsed there. Things had gotten a little fuzzy at the end. The high of the orgasm along with a long day—oh, and couldn’t forget Cal trying to get me lit up with whiskey—all coalesced into a very dead me.
My hand slid along her naked back to her sleep shorts. Hell, I hadn’t even gotten her naked. Or my damn jeans off, for that matter.
I was pretty sure Iona would be happy about that part since we’d banged the hell out of each other on her sofa.
She eased off me and I groaned. RIP my dick once more.
This woman was going to kill me. I looked forward to it for the rest of my life.
She found her shirt and slipped it back on, then picked up the other sandwich I’d left on the plate beside us. She ripped it in half and gave me me half. “You good?”
“Define good.”
She tore off a corner and stuck it in her mouth. “Need some water?”
I laughed and stuck the half sandwich in my mouth and stood up. “Yes, please.” I finished it in two bites as I made a quick trip into the bathroom to get rid of the condom. I winced at the state of my face and my neck.
This time, there was definitely a hickey.
I washed my hands and rinsed my mouth before returning to her. She was already cleaning up the dishes as well as a pile of pens and a notebook. A fresh bottle of Iona’s vitamin-infused water sat on the coffee table.
I cracked the top and drained half of it. The booze was already fading, and a headache was brewing. “Working?”
She glanced at the notebook. “Actually, I had something to tell you when we got distracted by a…lesson.” She picked up the notebook and flipped the cover closed. “Think you can get a day off on Wednesday?”
“Sure. I can find someone to cover for me.”
“Good. I finished my book.”
“What?” I choked on the next sip and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Is that why you jumped in my arms?”
She nodded. “Then you distracted me. You’re pretty cute when you’re drunk.” She arched a brow at me. “Are you already sobering up? How?”
“I was just pleasantly buzzed. And the rush of my girl rocking my world did the rest.” I sat beside her and hauled her in for a hug. “I didn’t realize you were almost done.”
“I’m shocked you hung in this week, actually. I was a lunatic.” I snuggled into his arms. “It’s not polished yet, but yeah.”
“That’s awesome. We’re celebrating?”
She nodded and peered up at me. “Iona wants to have a little party in the rooftop garden.”
“Yeah. I’ll definitely make sure I’m there.” I dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’m really proud of you.”
She teared up and hugged me tighter. “Thanks. I can’t believe I did it.” She looped her arm around my back. “I have so much more work to do, Colder. More than I ever expected, and I’ve been in the publishing world for years.” She traced the pattern of the Lonegan’s logo on the T-shirt on my chest.
“One step at a time. I know that busy brain of yours is sprinting ahead seven steps, but just sit here with me and bask in it for a second. Maybe even a whole day.” I leaned back on the couch, and she curled against me. I sunk my fingers into her hair.
I wanted to share my news, but it was her moment.
And I’d told Cal I would hold off.