Page 23 of Heart Breaker

I set the glasses on the island next to the charcuterie board and pull out a chair.

“What are you doing? What about the takeout?”

“We’re eating your situation tonight. We can have the fettuccine for lunch tomorrow,” I say, extending a hand for her to join me.

Her brows lift. “My situation?”

“Yeah. This very elaborate, very beautiful snack board of yours that you spent so much time on.”

Lottie’s hand slips into mine, our eyes locking as she lowers herself onto the bar stool next to me. I’m unprepared for the smile she gives me. It could light up a skyline.

My God, she’s easy to get caught up in.

“Can I pour you a glass of wine?” I ask, reaching for the bottle.

“Please,” she says. “Especially since I know this bottle probably costs more than my rent.”

Lottie lifts her wine glass to meet mine in a cheers.

“To my beautiful wife-to-be,” I say.

“To us,” she adds.

Our glasses meet with a soft clink, and I take a slow sip, watching her over the rim of my glass. The air between us is electric.

She’s devastatingly gorgeous. Perfectly put together. Irresistibly sweet. And she’s mine.

But no, not really. I need to remind myself that we’re just playing house.

“This is exceptional. The smoothest wine I’ve ever tasted.”

“I’m glad you approve.”

She leans back in her chair, assessing me. “I’m enjoying myself here with you, Wes. I have to admit, my first weekend in the Winters mansion isn’t all that bad.”

I study her face, really taking her in. Her green eyes flecked with flakes of gold, outlined by thick, dark lashes that make her eyes appear even brighter. The soft curve of her mouth, lips so full, they make me want to suck on them. My eyes continue down to the line of her jaw, the smooth curve of her neck, her smooth skin. I find myself wanting to know what it would feel like if ran my fingertips over it.

I’m willing to bet that Lottie Hart looks mouth-watering under her clothes.

I watch her as she reaches across the board, how her fingers move with grace, selecting a grape and lifting it to her lips before sucking it into her mouth. An unexpected chill rushes through me and the intensity of it catches me off-guard. I can picture Lottie’s lips around my cock mimicking the same illicit motion. Fuck.

She shifts her attention to me and I’m sure she can sense the salacious thought that just ran through my mind. She doesn’t say anything, but the way one corner of her mouth quirks up all but confirms my suspicion.

She leans in toward me a little closer. The tension is thicker than a slow, rolling fog. “I’m not as mad at you as I used to be.”

I chuckle. “You’re full of surprises,” I tell her softly. “And speaking of surprises, I have one for you.”

NINE

Lottie

Wes hops off his stool and disappears out of the room. I frown after him, a piece of cheddar halfway to my mouth.

“What are you⁠—”

He reappears before I can finish, a small, turquoise bag in his hand. The kind of bag that doesn’t need a logo because the color alone says enough. My stomach dips. He sets it down on the counter between us, keeping his expression unreadable in that way he does so well. “For you. I hope you like it.”

I glance at him, then at the bag, suddenly very aware of the thump of my heartbeat. “Wes…”