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“Hi,” I say softly while my eyes keep drinking her in.
“Hi,” she mimics, her forehead creasing at such an informal greeting.
Little does she know that words are not my friend right now. Not when she looks so goddamn stunning.
And then I remember something that clears the lust-filled fog from my eyes—a woman like her only makes this effort for someone’s benefit. And seeing as she insinuated she had no idea I’d be here, it wasn’t for mine. Which means she might have thought the man grabbing her from behind was her date, and that’s why she didn’t recoil at the touch.
Lust quickly morphs into its ugly cousin, jealousy.
And I don’t like it.
Not one bit.
“Usually, when a woman is thirsty on a date, it’s the chivalrous thing to do for the guy to get her something to drink,” I mock, my voice too gruff for my liking.
“Who says that I’m on a date?” She tilts her chin up at me, uncaring that her breasts are now pressed against my chest, giving me a stellar view of her cleavage.
“Excuse me if I find it hard to believe you’ve come to the opera alone.”
“You’re excused,” she counters, slapping me with that fake-ass smile she loves to throw around at such illustrious events. “I know you’re old, Nichols, but you’re notthatold. It is the twenty-first century, you know? A woman doesn’t need a man to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I can come to the opera or anywhere else for that matter without needing a date or a chaperone, thank you very much. “
“And how is that working out for you? Finding pleasure… alone?” I taunt more playfully.
But instead of the cute little scowl that I expected from her, she throws me a suggestive smile instead.
“Actually, quite well. But then again, I’ve never had problems getting pleasure from my own hand. It’s other hands that have had trouble in providing it for me.”
“Ah, kitten, we both know that you can fake your smiles all you want with me, but never your orgasms, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”
“That sure of yourself, are you? I wouldn’t be if I were you,” she coos, batting her eyelashes at me.
I lean down until my lips are almost on hers.
“I can show you if I need to refresh your memory?” I smile wickedly, loving how her lips part expectantly.
But to my chagrin, the lights in the lobby start flickering, the silent sign that the intermission is coming to a close and the opera’s third act is about to commence.
“Maybe you’re the one who needs a reminder. One time was all you get.”
She then slides away from her pinned position between me and the counter, her hand purposely brushing over the hard bulge in my pants that always springs to life whenever she’s near.
“Enjoy the opera, Nichols. I certainly will.” She winks before turning her back on me and giving me yet another beautiful view to admire.
I watch her get swallowed up by the departing crowd, hating that I’ll have to return upstairs to the Prestons when I would much rather follow her and find out who she’s with.
She can’t fool me.
She’s here with someone.
And until I find out who the lucky bastard is and have a little word with him, I won’t be able to concentrate on anything else.
Thankfully, when I get back upstairs, the third act is already in full swing, so any idle chit-chat that I might have to make with the Preston duo is no longer required of me. Neither father nor son says anything to the excuse I make up about why Rex had to leave so unexpectedly either, seeming too engrossed in their opera to care. I, on the other hand, couldn’t give a rat’s ass about what’s happening on stage, preferring to spend the next half hour scanning the audience beneath us, hoping to catch a glimpse of Piper. But since it’s too damn dark to make anything out, except for a few lolling heads, I decide to wait for the next intermission break to find out who she’s with. Unfortunately, when the lights flicker back on, the younger Lawrence is in my way before I’ve even had time to get out of my seat.
“Can I have a word with you, Trent? Outside?”
“Make it quick,” I growl in frustration.
His father doesn’t say a single word as he watches us leave his precious booth to walk out into the hallway.
