Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 103931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
And I love that.
“Pax.” I extend my hand, and she doesn't waste time taking mine in hers.
“I’m Mal.” She smiles broadly.
I rack my brain for any Mal that would make this off-limits and come up short. No Mal on the do-not-fuck list, and I'm relieved. Up close, the woman is even more breathtaking. Her large icy-blue eyes practically sparkle in the light.
For fuck's sake, the woman is already making me an idiot.
I incline my head toward the table I've been sitting at. “Care to join me for a drink?”
Her lip tips up. “I was in the middle of a conversation.” She looks around my body at the douche I'd forgotten about.
I internally roll my eyes but recognize that this is a game we're playing, and she seems like the type of woman who would disapprove of a rude man.
“Sorry, partner. Didn't see you there.”
The guy glowers at me, but I tower over him, too, so he quickly shoves down any hint of animosity, lifting his hands, palms out.
“No problem. I was just going to get another drink.”
He looks around me as he says it. I haven't moved to block his path from Mal, but I'm still not convinced he doesn't plan to throw her in the back of his white van and whisk her off to his mom's basement somewhere in the hills.
Who is this guy, and how did he get an invite?
“Mal, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
She offers a kind smile. “You, too, Paul. Have a nice night.”
He scurries off, and I watch him the whole way. When I look back at Mal, she's smirking up at me. “Care to tell me what all that was about?”
I shrug. “That guy looked like a serial killer. I was doing my civil duty to ensure your safety.”
She laughs. “Paul? He's harmless.”
Mal looks down at her almost-empty glass of champagne and then over to the full bottle in the center of the table. I can practically hear her thinking, weighing out the options, but then she bites her bottom lip, hitting me with a sexy smile that damn near brings me to my knees. “About that drink . . .”
She steps forward, and I place my hand on the small of her back to guide her to the banquette. There's something about the way she moves that has me hard as a rock. Her ass sways effortlessly, almost like she's gliding on air. She's graceful and sexy all at the same time, and she's not even trying.
This night is turning around quickly.
The music is loud, but it won't be so bad where we're headed. We'll be able to hold a conversation unlike in other parts of the place. I picked this area specifically to pitch Stefan on coming aboard to be the director of the adaptation of Twisted Lily.
Turns out, the seats won’t be wasted after all.
“So what do you do, Pax—”
I cut her off, shaking my head. “Let’s not do that.”
She chuckles. “Do what?”
“Play the Hollywood game. We’re obviously here for our own reasons. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to leave the Hollywood bit out and just pretend for a minute?”
She purses her lips, searching my face, and for a moment, I wonder if she’ll get up and walk away.
“A drink?” she says, motioning toward the bottle.
I don’t waste time filling her glass, and then I pour myself one, too.
Taking a swig, the bubbles in the champagne fizz on my tongue. I glance up at Mal and find her staring at me. I can't help but grin because that simple look says it all.
She wants to fuck me as much as I want to fuck her.
I take another drink, giving her the floor. This is one of those moments when remaining silent is in my best interest. I'll let her take control.
She sips her drink and continues to stare directly into my eyes. It's unnerving but hot as hell. The one thing she doesn't do… talk. We're in some sort of foreplay stare down, and neither one of us is giving in. I'm a patient man who prides myself on standing firm.
This fucking woman has me caving within minutes.
“Tell me something not Hollywood related?” The words fall off my tongue, and I internally kick my own ass.
Real smooth, Ramsey.
Mal laughs and shakes her head. “This should be interesting. We're at an after-party for one of the biggest awards shows of the year, and you want me not to mention Hollywood?”
“That’s what makes it fun.”
She places her glass down, then folds her hands on top of the table.
“It makes it difficult. It could take me a long time to come up with something.” Her voice is light and airy as she continues to beam at me.
“I've got all night, sweetheart,” I reply, winking. Her cheeks stain pink. It's dark in here. I could be imagining it, but I don't think so.