I need a fucking drink.
My brother doesn’t know how to act respectable. I knew he was in town and he’s been avoiding me, but when I got the call from the owner of the club telling me to come get my out of control hoodlum brother I saw red. I’ve had enough of his traveling the world spending all of his inheritance on alcohol, drugs, and women.
I don’t know what his deal is, but we’re going to get to the bottom of it when I’m back in the States. I drag him out of the club and put him right into a town car that’s headed straight for a private jet to take him home. I’m not here to babysit.
Grant might not have anything to do with us, to do with the business, but that doesn’t mean he gets to dump Pierce on me. It’s time my other brother steps up and does something. It’s fucking ridiculous.
I twirl the ice around my glass before taking a large swig. I need something to help me relax. I take another sip and look across the packed club. That’s when I see her. The girl from last night. Our eyes lock, and I question whether I’m dreaming her. Her long, blond hair falls loosely over her shoulders, and her bright eyes stare at me as though she’s seen a ghost.
I smirk at her reaction. I don’t know her name, and I don’t know why we keep meeting, but I’m damn glad we do. Last night was hands-down the best sex I’ve had in a long time and that’s saying something. The fact that she didn’t press me about who I was makes it even better. Anonymity is not something I have very often. I fully intend to bathe in it—and in her—as long as she’d let me.
Grabbing my drink, I stalk toward her, slow but purposeful. “Twice in two days. Am I a lucky bastard or what?” I flash her a dirty smirk.
“Sure are. Maybe you did something fabulous in a former life?” she deadpans dryly.
“Probably, because in this life I recall leaving you naked in my room. What are you doing here?”
The hazy gaze she wore moments ago is replaced by a mask of indifference. She doesn’t fuck around. Not figuratively, anyway, and damn if it doesn’t make her more attractive. “I’m here with friends. Are you here for a round two with a different blonde?” She’s looking everywhere but at me, and if she’s offended over my manwhoring ways, she sure as hell knows how to hide it. I move closer to her, my arm brushing hers.
“I had some business to deal with.”
She lets out a harsh breath at my answer. “Business. Typical.”
I can’t help but chuckle. As hard as she’s trying to act like she isn’t upset about how I left, it’s not working. I can tell by the straightness of her back that my leaving her this morning didn’t win me any favors with her.
“I’m sorry, but that’s why I’m here. I’m conducting business for my family.”
She doesn’t speak, so I continue.
“It was important, and I couldn’t be late.”
“So I gathered,” she says, unimpressed.
“What’s your name?” It’s the worst thing I could ask, but I do it anyway.
She tilts her head to the side. “Thought we weren’t sharing that information. Are you going soft on me, Mysterious Stranger?” Her eyes narrow with mischief.
My hands rise in defense. “You don’t have to tell me. I can just call you beautiful.” I grin.
She rolls her eyes. “Sounds corny, but I still prefer Olivia.”
“Olivia.” I test out the word. It rolls off my tongue sounding sexual yet beautiful at the same time. “I like it. It suits you.”
She laughs, her ice-queen attitude melting a little. “I didn’t choose it. My mother’s quite fond of it, though.”
“She has good taste. So, would you like a drink, Olivia?”
“I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.” She lowers her head, seemingly embarrassed. “I’m about ready to head out, but I need to find my friend.” She stands on her toes, looking around the room. I have to laugh. The place is packed. The likelihood of her finding her friend is slim to none right now.
“Who is he?” I ask, causing her to bristle at my words.
She snaps her head to me. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Olivia. Who is he?” The thought of her with some jackass has me seeing red.
“My friend is a girl. I don’t make a habit of sleeping with different men on back to back nights.” She crosses her arms, shooting daggers at me. “I do have some standards, thank you.”
I’ve clearly pissed her off, but I’m relieved by her answer. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to offend you, though you are particularly cute when you’re red. Let me buy you a drink.”
Her eyes narrow in disbelief. Did I just offer her cyanide? No. I’m pretty sure it was a drink. Yet Olivia is mighty feisty, and hell if it doesn’t make her more appealing to me.
“As a truce,” I add, nudging her shoulder with mine, because why not? Maybe that way she’ll remember how fucking good it feels when our bodies connect, even through designer clothes and silky fabric.
She stays quiet for a couple of seconds, contemplating the offer, and finally nods in agreement.
“What’s your poison?” I ask as we sit at the bar.
“I’d like a Stella, please,” she says to the bartender.
“Beer?” I lift an eyebrow at her. Interesting.
“Yes. Beer.”
I chuckle at her shortness. Every second I spend with this woman has me more intrigued. She’s a complete conundrum, and I have the sudden urge to solve the puzzle that is Olivia. “What’s your last name?”
“Do you really want to go there? If I tell you, you’ll be forced to share too.”
“Touché,” I laugh. “So we’re going to remain anonymous?”
“It’s very film noir.” She gives me a sidelong glance, under thick eyelashes and peppered with a mysterious smirk. “And therefore so much more fun. Don’t you think?” I can’t help but smirk at that.
“I do like your style.” I order myself another whiskey.
“You should start by sharing your first name since you know mine.”
“I think that’s fair.” I extend my hand to her. “Spencer. Nice to meet you.”
She shakes my hand. At that moment, I hear a gasp behind us. I turn to see a girl, eyes wide.
“Liv, what . . . when . . . how?” The friend stutters nervously.
I know she knows who I am, and I’ve got to stop her before she outs me in front of Olivia. I like that she doesn’t know who I am. She doesn’t act differently around me. I raise my hand to the intruder.
“Hello, I’m Spencer.” I put that out there, hoping that quells her curiosity enough.
“Lindsey, there you are,” Olivia states.
Lindsey looks at me with cold eyes. “Someone forced Pierce to leave, and now I’m bored and want to go home.”
Her whiny voice annoys me immediately. I stay silent, hoping that somehow I come out of this talk unscathed.
“Yeah, I saw that,” Olivia says, looking at me.
I stiffen. Does she know?
She turns her head before I can gauge what she saw. “Do you want me to leave with you?” she asks her friend.
Lindsey looks back and forth between Olivia and me. “No, I think you should stay put. I’ll catch a ride with Murph. Call you tomorrow.” She smiles devilishly as though she knows something we don’t. Without another word, the girl turns on her heel and practically skips off.
“I thought you were leaving today.” Olivia’s voice draws my attention her way.
“I was until I got a call that I needed to be here.”
She squints. “Your business is at Club X?”
“No, but something came up and I had to be here to meet with someone.”
She looks around. “Looks like you’ve been stood up.”
My body sags in relief. She clearly didn’t see me with Pierce or she’d know what my business here was. “Nah, I already took care of it.”
She nods. “So . . . about last night,” she says hesitantly, her voice shaking slightly.
“Daydreaming about me?” I tease, loving the way her cheeks stain a dark shade of pink. It would look even better on the cheeks under her panties. Though it’s probably best if I don’t mention it right now.
“No. Yes . . . I mean, what?”
Her confusion is cute, and I typically fucking hate cute. My type is more like the stewardess on my jet. Bold and overtly sexy. Olivia’s beauty isn’t contrived. She’s natural and definitely not arrogant.
“I had a great night with you, Olivia. I didn’t want it to end.” It’s the truth. I did enjoy our time together.
“Me too.” Her voice is low. The words come out with a sweet innocence that makes me hyper aware of how much I crave a second round with her. That in itself should serve as alarm bells, but I choose not to listen. “I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed when you were gone this morning.”
“Do you want to get out of here?” I know it’s a ballsy move, especially after ditching her this morning, but I suddenly don’t want to be here anymore. It’s only a matter of time before someone else recognizes me, and I’d like to just have a little bit more time with her. “I know things weren’t supposed to go past last night, but I really enjoyed my time with you and I’d like to hang out more, but not here.”
She taps her mouth with her finger. I expect her to say no, but she doesn’t. She stands and extends her hand to me. I take it and move us toward one more night of fun and freedom.