AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He bites his bottom lip, and my eyes flick down. I don’t know why, but my whole core just about throbs into submission.
He swallows hard. “I’m not even going to ask you how old you think I am.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shrug, suddenly all bold. “Age is just a number, and for the record, you still look good.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He smiles. He moves his hand to the back of my chair and then says, “Can I ask you a question, Ariana?”
The way he says my name…
“Um, yes, of course.”
Shit.I hope it’s no more talk about dreaded James.
He watches me carefully. “Why are you flustered when we’re alone together?”
Of all the things I expected him to say, it is most definitely not that.
My throat suddenly feels like the Sahara. The way he looks at me… I don’t think it should be legal.
“Uh, I didn’t think I was.”
I feel his thumb gently touch the back of neck, and though it’s the slightest, tiniest movement, I feel iteverywhere.
“You’re flushed,” he says in his low, sexy voice. “Is it the champagne, Ariana? Or do I make you nervous?”
I suddenly get the feeling that he’s being a bit fucking flirty. I try and hide my utter shock and surprise.
What is he doing?
“You don’t make me nervous, and I didn’t think I was flustered,” I say firmly, looking him in the eyes and steeling myself as best I can. “It’s the champagne. It’s delicious, by the way.”
I hope he buys it.
He leans toward me. “Good. Because I don’t wish to make you nervous or uncomfortable.”
A bit late for that, but it’s not for the reason he’s thinking.... then again, why did he touch me?
I blink a few times before he takes another slow sip of his drink, and sits back in his chair, perfectly relaxed.
Well, he’s not winning this round, not by a long shot. I take another sip of my champagne for liquid courage before firing back, “What if you did?”
He flicks his dark blue eyes at me as I squeeze my legs together. My heart is beating so fast in my chest, I’m sure he can hear it. “What if I make you nervous or uncomfortable?” he repeats.
I nod.
He tilts his head, his eyes never leaving mine. “Then I’d ask why.”
He waits for an answer, and I realize I’m an idiot for bringing it up again because now I have to give him a reason. And I don’t even know what I really mean.
“Well,” I start, taking another unceremonious gulp, “you’re Lukas Bentley.”
His lips twitch again. He has to know what that movement alone does to a woman. Surely.
I really shouldn’t flirt… but he’s making it difficult not to, so here we are.
“Meaning?”
I snort, then lean toward him as I lower my voice. “You’re a little bit of a badass.”
