AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t…” I trail off as his eyes flicker down to my mouth, just for a second, before meeting mine again. A lightbulb goes off over my head.
Oh. He’s flirting.
Oh.
***
FORTY-SIX
***
LAYLA
My heart starts to beat faster. I do a quick catalogue of his body language.
His feet are pointing towards me. His face is dipped close to mine. His eyes are focussed on me.
He’s definitely flirting with me.
I smile slowly. It’s about time I had a new victim.And Zack did tell me to practice.
I put my phone down. “That depends. Do you buy a lot of women’s underwear?”
He looks taken aback. “Uh. No?… Why?”
Maybe that’s a bad line. “I own a lingerie company.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, okay. That’s way cooler than mine. I work in stocks.” He pulls a face. “It’s boring, I know.”
“That is pretty boring,” I agree, and his expression shutters slightly.
Oops. I open my mouth to tell him I’m kidding, but Gavin coughs. “I know. To be honest, I hate it, but it pays well, so—”
“That’s okay then,” I say before I can stop myself. “I don’t mind boring men if they’re rich.”
Jesus. Shoot me.
Luckily, this time Gavin catches on. “I’ll be the wallet, you be the looks?”
“Perfect. We can text each other once a fortnight from opposite sides of your yacht.”
Gavin throws back his head and laughs too loudly. A couple across the atrium turns to look at us. “Oh, that’s great. But how about I make you a drink, first?” He gives me a winning smile. “I’m a mixologist in my free time. Come back to my room, and I bet I could make you a better drink than the rubbish they’re serving in the bar.”
I blink. “Your hotel room? That’s bold.”
“We have to start somewhere.” His eyes twinkle. “You could show me some of your designs. It’d be fun.”
“I’m sure.”
He leans forward, and I lean back. I’m enjoying flirting just fine, but I don’t want him in my personal space. And I really, really don’t want to go back to his room with him.
It’s funny. From the very first time I started ‘practise flirting’ with Josh and Zack, I was hooked. But I don’t feel any of that desire with this man. I’m not sure why; he seems kind enough, and he’s obviously interested in me. But I don’t feel that same tug towards him.
“What do you say?” Gavin asks, leaning in even closer. His breath fans over my face, and I fight the urge to wince. “Are you busy tonight?”
I open my mouth, but before I can reject him, strong arms wrap around my shoulders.
“Yes,” a low voice says over my head. “She is.”
