Page 6 of Untroubled Heart

“Ahh, so another night then?”

My eyebrows jump so high, so quickly, I almost give myself a headache. “Ahh, no. I’m not really a club-scene girl.”

I reach for my purse as the bartender sets the last two margaritas in front of me. The guy rests a big, warm hand over my wrist as he shakes his head. It’s surprisingly rough for a man who looks so perfectly polished and put-together.

“It’s on me.”

“That’s very nice, but I can’t let you pay for my and my friends’ drinks.” I’m aware guys normally do this if they think it’s leading somewhere, a show of intent, but I’m not intending to do anything but go back to my table and spend the rest of the night with my friends.

“I insist. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

“I’m not sleeping with you,” I blurt out, and that cocky little smirk that seems painted on his face grows wider until it stretches into a grin.

“I wasn’t asking.” He chuckles.

“Good.” I try to hide the mortification that engulfs me. Maybe he did just want to buy the drinks to be nice? No, this guy screams player. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“We’re on the same page,” he assures me, but there’s still an air of amusement to his words. “Besides, if I wanted you in my bed, I wouldn’t need to ask. You’d be begging for it.”

See, total playboy.

“Shame we’ll never put that theory to the test. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find someone else to test it with.” I purse my lips, faking disappointment, only to be met with his undying amusement, that smile never fading as his eyes dart around my face as if he’s mapping out every inch. “Thank you very much for the drinks.”

“My pleasure.” He rests his chin on his closed fist as he watches me balance the three drinks in my hands. “Do you need a hand?”

“I’ve got it.” I smile, slowly turning away from the bar. A woman slides onto the stool behind him, eyeing him up and down appreciatively. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from more rewarding pursuits.” I tip my chin over his shoulder at the woman.

He frowns, looking behind him, barely glancing at the woman before he looks back at me.

“Maybe I like a challenge.”

“Doubtful!” I shout over my shoulder as I move further away, feeling the weight of his attention on my back the whole time, and I struggle to rein in the smile on my face.

For the rest of the night, I tried to avoid looking in his direction. I’m not interested in dating right now. I need a break from men, and I’m not quite ready for anything casual, even though I’ve always enjoyed sex. Before I was pregnant, I loved to explore my sexual desires, especially with a partner who was just as enthusiastic. The end of my relationship with Navie’s father, however, left me questioning how my emotional needs were just as important as my physical ones, and that’s something I don’t think I’m ready to navigate just yet.

I let Maevyn and Liv lead the conversations for the rest of the night, hoping their lives would provide the distraction needed to forget about the brown-haired heartthrob still sitting at the bar, because yes, I did keep looking.

Every time my eyes dared to sneak a peek, he was either already looking at me or somehow managed to sense my attention and diverted his gaze past whoever he was talking to, catching my eyes before I pulled them away.

A lot of people came up to him, women specifically, and they were not shy about their intentions. A hand on his shoulder. His perfectly corded forearm. His thigh. And he indulged every one of them with that cocky little side smirk.

When Liv, Maevyn, and I eventually called it quits for the night, I still felt his eyes on me as we headed to the front door. I looked over at him, simply to prove a point. Yep, a blonde stood in front of him, laughing as she playfully smacked his chest. His eyes were already on me, and I gave him a self-satisfied shrug as if to say, Told you you wouldn’t be going home alone tonight, buddy.

But it was never going to be with me.

I’ve met my fair share of playboys. Had my heart broken by one, too. I won’t be fooled by another pretty face. If my ex taught me anything, it’s that when people show you who they are, believe them.

Chapter four

“You’re… leaving me?” I ask slowly, looking up from the phone in my palm, which shows a real estate listing of a rundown ski resort.

“You are such a drama king,” Steven, my assistant, deadpans as he sits across from me, cool as a cucumber despite telling me he’s handing in his notice after four years together. Apparently, winning the lotto with your husband so you can buy a hotel in the small town where you met is enough to leave your wonderful boss, but sure, I’m the drama king.

“But what am I gonna do?”

Steven takes his phone back from me as my world falls apart. Okay, maybe I’m being a touch dramatic, but Steven’s been my assistant since Beth and I started this company. He knows the ins and outs as well as we do. He keeps me in line. He keeps me sane. I don’t know how he does it, but he manages my calendar with such precision that I’m able to do everything that needs to be done in a way that satisfies my busy brain and keeps me from burning out, and more than that, he’s a trusted friend. Outside of my family, that circle is pretty small.

“Obviously, I’ll help you find a replacement,” Steven says, standing from his chair. I watch as he walks over to his desk just outside my office and picks up his tablet before rejoining me. “I’ve already started drafting an ad for the position, so we can start interviews right away.” Steven hesitates as he glances over the tablet at me and mutters under his breath, “I need to be in Port Yarra in two weeks.”