One seriously high and spiked heel comes down onto the industrial carpet that runs through the building, followed by the other, and as soon as she’s stable I contemplate letting her hand go. But as I said before, she’s totally hot, most likely single, and very interesting indeed.
“I’m Lucas Fournier,” I say to introduce myself. “I’m here on behalf of the Cold Fury.”
Her hand squeezes mine as she inclines her head. “I actually know who you are, Mr. Fournier. I’m Stephanie Frazier.”
Still holding her fine-boned hand with the softest of skin, I ask, “And you were molesting that dinosaur because…?”
Stephanie’s laugh is bold and infectious as she tips her head back, making her flame-colored curls spill farther down her back. When she looks back to me while chuckling, she says, “I thought I saw a nick.”
My eyes cut over to the skeleton and back to her in confusion. “Nick?”
“I’m the director of acquisitions,” she says, still holding on to my hand. “Well, I’ve recently been promoted to the director position due to some unfortunate scandal the previous director was embroiled in. But, whatever…Part of my job is to make sure all of our specimens are in good shape and perfect order at all times after they’re put in place.”
Fascinating about her job, I guess, but more interested in something else. “What was the scandal?”
She steps in closer to me, looks around the room quickly, and whispers as she brings her eyes back. “A sex scandal.”
I feign shock as I whisper, “You’re kidding.”
She shakes her head and smiles at me mischievously. “The rumor is he had a penchant for cross-dressing as well as for sleeping with some of the other staff’s wives.”
Okay, that is sort of scandalous now that I think about it. And hilarious she just told me that. “You don’t think perhaps you shouldn’t be telling the benefactors about this, um, sex scandal, do you?”
Her cheeks turn a little pink, but she still looks sinfully playful as she smiles at me. “I suppose not…but I’m not really cut out for these types of events. Natural-born rebel and all.”
“Rebel?” I ask roguishly. “I’m liking the sound of this.”
“Well, I really shouldn’t have told you about the sex scandal,” she admits with a chagrined look as she removes her hand from mine. “You won’t repeat that, will you?”
“How about you tell me something scientific so I can legitimately say that’s what we talked about tonight if anyone asks.”
“Hmmmm,” she says as she looks up briefly, then her eyes go from playful to serious when they return. “Did you know that North Carolina is the only state where all four major gemstones—and that would be emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds—have been discovered?”
“I absolutely did not know that,” I say seriously, then I turn it playful again, because honestly, that’s where the most fun is. “Would you like to get out of here and go get a drink together?”
Stephanie blinks once in surprise and then she appraises me. Her eyes are fucking gorgeous…a light blue that looks like that sheen of blue you see deep inside of Arctic icebergs. “A drink?”
“Sure,” I say with an easygoing shrug. “There’s a lot of great bars downtown.”
“Okay,” she says gamely. “A drink. Meaning one. I have to be at work super early tomorrow to make sure all of this party stuff is gone and this exhibit is show quality for when the doors open.”
“I have an early practice,” I tell her nonchalantly. “So I have to be in top shape tomorrow as well.”
“Then let me make some goodbyes and get my purse. Give me fifteen minutes.”
I watch her ass the entire time she walks away, knowing that even though she said one drink, this night wasn’t going to be over early. Like I said…near statistical impossibility for me not to get laid.
When she’s out of sight, I pull out my phone and shoot a text to Max, Jules, and Van in case I don’t see them before Stephanie gets back.
—
The elevator doors close, then I’m on her. Stephanie said she lives on the fourth floor, but I can’t wait that long. She’s got me so thoroughly inflamed I consider hitting the Stop button.
My mouth crashes down on hers and she groans lustily into my mouth.
You see, one drink turned into two. Then three. Then four. And then…well, we hit another bar.
Steph in her evening gown and me in my tux.
Having fun and getting hammered.
Small talk turning to flirting.
Innuendo turning into action.
She made the first move and I tried not to smirk when she stepped up to me and murmured, “Want go to my place? It’s just a few blocks from here.”
My dick answered for me. Fuck yeah, I wanted to go to her apartment.
So I kissed her to give her my answer.
I plunge my hand into her long curls and fist it near the nape of her neck. I give it a short tug, then her head tilts back and her throat is exposed to me. I run my lips down her velvety skin to her collarbone as I press her body back into the wall of the elevator. My pelvis grinds into hers and she moans again as she feels exactly how badly I want her.
Lifting my head, I look at her eyes hazy with alcohol and lust. “How drunk are you?”
She grins at me. “Drunk enough that I don’t have a single inhibition left, and I hope to God you’ve got a condom on you, because I’m pretty sure we’re not going to make it far past my front door, but sober enough that I know that this is just a hookup.”
I blink at her in surprise, my dick turning harder. I’ve never had a woman before tell me she knows it’s just a hookup. Most see a professional athlete as a prize catch and are calculating the next day. Many see someone like me and are already envisioning marriage.
But not Steph—which is what she said all her friends called her. She’s a confident woman, bold and ambitious. She’s also a twenty-first-century woman, and I can tell she’s in touch with her sexuality. This is going to be fucking awesome not having any feelings to worry about bruising.
The elevator chimes and comes to a stop. As soon as the doors open, Steph takes my hand and pulls me out. She practically jogs down three doors in her sexy high heels and then she’s releasing me to fumble in her purse for keys.
“This your place?” I ask as I step up to her, taking her hips in my hands and pressing into her backside.
She hums her approval and grinds back against me. “Yup.”
With keys in hand, Steph efficiently opens the door, telling me she’s definitely not stinking drunk. She’s also a fantastic kisser, which is another telltale sign, because drunks kiss all sloppy and wet. That kiss in the elevator was focused, passionate, and hot as fucking hell.