“I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” I whisper to Lexi.

She turns to me, and my grimace is mirrored on her face. “I know. I’m embarrassed for him. Somebody needs to get him the fuck off the stage.”

“God, I hope they do it soon.”

Lexi nods and we turn our attention back to Gregory Lawrence, who’s in the middle of giving the most awkward speech in the history of speeches. He’s obviously still drunk and is going back and forth between inappropriate sexual jokes and sounding like the biggest asshole with an ego to match.

Gregory’s publicist walked out in tears, leaving Cole and Gregory’s agent to try and smooth things over. Needless to say, my first ever release party is memorable. Another painful minute passes before Gregory mumbles—quite loudly—that he has to take a shit and stumbles out of the spotlight. The crowd stands there, stunned, holding flutes of champagne that were meant to toast Gregory on the release of his latest—and apparently last—book. An awkward cheer is murmured through the crowd, and I drink the bubbly alcohol.

Lexi brings hers to her lips but doesn’t take a drink. Interesting. I like her, but I don’t feel close enough to ask her if she’s pregnant. Not yet at least. We’re standing around a cocktail table, and she puts her drink in front of her friend Jillian, who takes it as if it’s her own. Very interesting indeed.

The crowd starts to shuffle around, with people heading to the open bar for one more round of free top-shelf drinks before the night ends. Through the movement, I catch a glimpse of a face. A face that makes all the blood drain from my head and my nerves prickle down my spine. I tense and bump into the table, knocking over a flute of champagne.

I jump back, looking down at the table for half a second before searching for him again. I didn’t imagine it. I know those gray eyes. His sandy blonde hair is longer now, but I know it was him.

Steven.

There’s no way. It’s not possible for him to be here, now…no.

“Sorry,” I say, grabbing a cloth napkin and blotting up the spilled booze. A waiter comes over just a second later and wipes up the mess.

“How good is the security here?” I ask Lexi.

“I think pretty good. They check and make sure you’re on the guest list. Why?”

“Just curious.”

“Are you all right?” Lexi whispers.

“Yeah. Overwhelmed thinking about books and releases and all that goes into it. It’s a lot of pressure.”

“Oh, it is. I could never be an author.”

I smile and nod, eyes darting around the room. My heart is racing and I can’t breathe. People need to stop fucking moving. I can’t see him. Can’t find anyone who looks like him enough to cause a case of mistaken identity.

I close my eyes and see it so clear: Steven’s face, cold eyes set on me. Lips pulled back in a cocky grin, one that says I’ve got you, bitch just like how it was before.

But I can’t remember what he was wearing. I just remember his face. I had to imagine it. I saw someone who resembled him and my mind filled in the rest with a sick flashback.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” Lexi says, excusing herself. I go with her because getting away from this crowd and not being alone while doing it is a huge fucking relief. The bathrooms are right outside the ballroom, thank goodness, and not down a long, dark hallway. A few other women are in there, fixing their hair and makeup as well.

I go into a stall and sit down, figuring going pee now is a good idea anyway. I take a minute to close my eyes and try to relax, not wanting to freak out over what has to be nothing. There’s no way Steven is here.

Yet, I know what I saw.

Him.

Staring at me, cold eyes latched on like he was a hungry dog and I was a slab of meat. Staring. Threatening. Promising I haven’t seen the last of him.

“I’m glad you came back this weekend,” Lexi tells me as we wash our hands.

“I am too.” My voice comes out monotone like I don’t agree with Lexi at all.

“If you have a free night, I’d love to have you guys over again. No ex-drama this time, promise.”

“I’d like that. Thanks.” I’m on autopilot, being polite but not sincere. I hope it doesn’t offend Lexi. We go back into the ballroom and find Cole and Luke near the bar.

“We’re going to head home,” Lexi tells us. “Have a good night.”

They leave and I step closer to Cole. So much is up in the air between us, but I’m starting to think I might like where it lands.

“I’ll be able to go soon, too,” Cole informs me. “You’re welcome to stick around, of course. But if you’re bored you can go back to my place. I’ll give you the key.”

“I’ll stay.” The words rush out quickly. There’s no way I’m going anywhere alone. If Steven is here, going off alone is exactly what he wants.

* * *

I watch Cole lock the door behind us, and my nerves settle slightly hearing the deadbolt click into place. He arms the alarm system for the night, and I relax even more. It’s late, I’m tired from the long day, and mentally exhausted from being freaked the fuck out for the last few hours. All I want is to take a hot shower and then get into bed with Cole, feeling his strong arms wrap around me, holding me tight as I drift to sleep.

“Are you hungry?” Cole asks, taking off his shoes. He sets them neatly in a closet off the foyer and takes off his jacket as he walks. “I’m starving. I missed the food since I was dealing with Gregory.”

“Oh my God, that speech was painful to listen to.”

Cole shudders. “It was one of the worst. I loved his series, but I’m glad I won’t be working with him anymore.”

“Good thing, because you have another pain-in-the-ass author to work with now.”

“Right. And I have a feeling she’s going to be even worse.” He turns and runs his eyes over me. The next thing I know, his arms are fastened around my waist and he’s pulling his hips to mine. “I never got a chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight.”

“Well, you’re telling me now.”

We kiss and he picks me up, bringing me into the living room and onto the couch. He lays me down and moves on top. I slide my hands over his arms, feeling every inch of muscle. I part my legs and Cole reaches down, fingers exploring the soft flesh on my thigh.

“I thought you were hungry,” I moan. He sucks the skin on my neck and kisses his way down and across my collarbone.

“I am,” he growls. “Very. Instead of food, I want to eat your pussy.”

My entire body awakens from his words. Cole slips his arms underneath me and sits up, bringing me into his lap. I pull my dress up around my waist so I can straddle him, grinding my pelvis into his. I can feel his cock get harder and harder by the second, and knowing that he’s hard for me, that it’s me he wants to fuck, is so hot.

“Stand up,” he orders. “And take your dress off.”

I take my lip between my teeth but do what I’m told. I reach behind me and slowly pull down the zipper. Each thin strap falls down my shoulders, and I turn around, letting the dress slide lower and lower over my ass. I’m wearing small lace panties, and no bra.

The dress hits the floor and I turn back around, staring at Cole. His pants are still on, but I can see the hard bulge confined by them. Gracefully, I step out of the dress and go back to the couch, parting Cole’s legs and dropping to my knees.

Cole leans forward, watching me undo his pants and take out his cock. I lick my lips and bend down, sucking him hard. I move slowly, lips gliding down his shaft and again and again. I swirl my tongue around the tip and then suck his cock fast. Faster. Up and down until he can’t take it anymore. He keeps one hand on my head, fingers tangled in my hair, pressing hard when he comes. I swallow everything he gives and swirl my tongue around the tip one final time before coming up. Cole’s eyes are wide and he’s breathing fast, but he doesn’t miss a beat.

His arms go around me and he pulls me onto the couch, gently rolling me onto my belly. Heavy hands fall on my shoulders, and I moan when he starts massaging my muscles. He takes his time, working his way down, and then up again. Gently, he flips me over and rubs my legs, moving up to my thighs and removing my panties.

His head falls between my parted legs, and my core is hot and begging for his touch, warmed up from the massage. He licks my clit and pleasure hits me hard already. Then he inserts a finger and paired with his tongue, it’s a lethal combination. He pushes in and presses against the sweet spot, holding his finger there with a soft rubbing. It drives me fucking mad, and I reach down, pushing his head to me.

He speeds up his mouth, licking and sucking. My legs start to quiver as the orgasm comes on. Cole slows down, drawing it out. The buildup takes over and I come hard, pussy contracting around his finger. I’ve lost all feeling in my toes, and my ears are ringing.

Cole lies on the couch next to me and covers me with a blanket. He wraps one arm tightly around me and runs his other hand over my ass.

“Cole?” I breathe.

“Yes?”

“When we first met, you said you didn’t edit romance. Why?”

“I’m not sure I believe in love,” he confesses. “And it used to frustrate me. But this…feeling you, touching you, being with you. It’s starting to change my mind.”