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My attention is pulled away when a warm hand slides up the back of my arm. Cole looks down at me with a serious, but sexy look on his face.
“Do you have a few minutes once this thing starts to chat with me?” His voice is only loud enough for me, but I know Stella and Hazel are hearing every word.
Hazel snorts but elbows Stella for me.
“Yeah, in maybe twenty minutes or so. Can you wait?” I ask him.
“I’ll wait as long as you need, Lays.”
“Perfect.” My voice is all breathy and oh my gosh, I’m working and we have a small audience. I break our heated stare and force a professional smile into place. Clearing my throat, I suddenly wish I had grabbed a plate myself so I could shovel food into my mouth to keep myself from flirting with this man anymore.
Searching for something, not sure what, Stella pushes her plate in front of me, and I pick up a toast and pop it in my mouth.
“Well, that was interesting,” Stella whispers.
I glare at her.
“I know you’re not the chef here, Cole, but this food is fantastic. As always.” She gestures to the table behind us.
“It really is. I’ll be sure to pass the compliment on to the chef.” He grins. Hazel wants to say something else to him, but I notice Nellie, one of our client coordinators, tap her watch, letting me know it’s time.
“Excuse me, but I need to get this party started,” I tell my friends.
“I’ll be back in a bit, yeah?” Cole touches the small of my back and heat shoots every which way through my body.
“Yes, great.” I stumble over my words as my voice cracks.
I force myself to walk away from him and my friends as I gather my wits and check with Nellie before I explain the rules.
Before getting everyone’s attention, I catch sight of Cole as he casually wanders out of the room. He must feel my gaze as he shoots me a lazy, yet cocky smirk over his shoulder. I fight off a shiver of lust as I know exactly what that smirk means.
Cheese and crackers!
I need to get my head back in the game.
Chapter 10
SEXY SECRET FLING
COLE
WatchingLayla in her element could easily become one of my favorite things. She’s got this air around her that just screams that she’s the boss and knows how to run the place. It’s fucking sexy as hell.
Leaning against the wall in the private room in the back of LACE, I watch the event unfold around me. The chatter is loud but not unruly. I’ve watched three dating changes now and it’s truly fascinating.
The women all stay seated on their side of the table as the men move around the room. After the buzzer sounds, the men stand and move to the next empty chair. They have five minutes to chat with the woman across from them before time is up.
They all have a small clipboard with them, allowing them to take notes and such. I wouldn’t be surprised if talking points were provided as well. Knowing Layla, she’s thought of it all.
Layla’s friends who I met earlier sit close together and they seem to be having fun. Hazel, the baker, is clearly here to find a date, the purpose of the whole event. The other, Stella, who I met a couple of times back in college, doesn’t seem sold on the idea of meeting someone but sure is enjoying the free drinks.
My gaze finds Layla again as she talks to Polly. I try not to bristle at the sight of the dating coach, but I can’t help it. My fake date with her was by far the worst date I’ve ever been on. She must feel my gaze as the woman’s eyes find mine.
She looks sheepishly at me and gives me a small wave. I nod in acknowledgment when Layla turns my way. She grins at me and then turns back to Polly. Polly continues to look guilty as they speak. She shakes her head at something Layla says, but then turns and walks toward some of the other HEA employees.
Layla approaches me with a sly little smile on her face.
My heart starts to race and I can feel my dick twitch being on the receiving end of that smile. She’s by far the sexiest woman I’ve ever met and the memories of our night together haven’t dulled over the past week.
