I’ve been so busy that women haven’t been on my radar all that much since I arrived in LA. I mean, I’ve spent my fair share of time inking them, but that’s about as close as I’ve got. And my lack of action hasn’t been more obvious to me than those few seconds of watching her arse sway before me as she climbed the stairs.
“So, you know Colton?” I ask once we’ve given the bartender our orders. A pint for me and a rum and Coke for her. I must admit, I was surprised. I was expecting her to order a glass of bubbles like I’ve seen the other women drinking, or at least a glass of wine, but it seems this woman has been sent to surprise me tonight. First, her fine arse, swiftly followed by her damn near falling into my arms not long after, and now this.
“Thank you. I need this,” she says, swallowing a generous mouthful before turning to look at me. “I work with Rylee. I’ve spoken to Colton several times.”
“Same. Although from the number of hours I’ve spent watching him fly around a track, I like to think I know him quite well.”
“Hmmm…” she hums, her cheeks flaming almost as red as her hair.
“So you work for Corporate Cares? Are you a counsellor?”
“No, no.” Her eyes go wide like the idea in itself is shocking. “I support the organisation wholeheartedly, but me and kids don’t mix.” I open my mouth to tell her that that can’t possibly be true, but she beats me to it. “I’m in charge of fundraising.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“I love it. It’s important for me to give back.”
I nod at her, finding myself lost in her chestnut eyes as she stares back at me.
She coughs, clearing her throat and breaking the tension between us after a few seconds, and I’m forced to look away.
“So what is it you do?”
“Harlow, there you are. I thought you were coming to talk to the birthday boy,” a high-pitched voice says from behind me before a blonde wrapped in the smallest dress I’ve ever seen stands so close to me that I have to take a step back.
“Yeah… I… uh…”
“Oh, are you still embarrassed about that? I’m sure Colton’s already forgotten.” She waves her friend off with a swish of her hand, and my eyes widen in shock. “Who’s your new friend?” She turns to me, her eyes running over my face as what I guess is supposed to be a sexy pout appears on her lips. She falls a little too far from the mark for me. That and all the effort she’s putting in to look so good.
“Corey,” I say politely, holding my hand out for her.
“Oh, my Brit.” My Brit? My eyebrows rise at her assumption. “Austin didn’t say you were here yet.” Ignoring my hand, she steps right into my body, pressing her breasts into my chest and stretching to drop a kiss to my cheek. “I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you.”
“Oh really?” I ask, placing my hands on her shoulders and trying to remove her from me. “I’m not sure Austin’s ever mentioned you.”
Harlow snorts a laugh and when I look up, I find the most breathtaking smile lighting up her face.
“Oh, that can’t be true. I’m sure you’ve just forgotten. I can only imagine that you’ve met so many new people since you arrived. I’m Bailey. I work with your cousin. He’s told me all about you.”
“Is that right?”
“Sure is. So tell me about yourself, I can’t wait to get to know you better.”
“Well, actually, I was in the middle of a conversation with your friend here.”
Bailey stands back and looks over her shoulder. “Oh, okay, well…” She sounds dejected, making me wonder how many guys turn her down. Not a lot, I’m guessing.
“Would you like a drink, B?”
“I’d love one, thanks.” I stand and watch both of them as Harlow orders Bailey a sauvignon blanc. They’re both stunning, Bailey more so now I don’t have everything thrust in my face, but to me, Harlow stands out by a mile. Her soft red hair, her large dark eyes that just ooze innocence… I bite down on my bottom lip as I study her while she talks to her friend. She must sense my stare, because her eyes flick to mine and she startles when she finds me looking back. Colour hits her cheeks, and it only makes her more alluring. It looks like coming here tonight was more than worth it.
My cock stirs behind the fabric of my jeans, desperate to end the evening with a little action.
Bailey lifts her drink from the bar and takes a sip while looking between the two of us suspiciously.
“So… I’m just going to go…” she trails off before disappearing off into the crowd.
“Good friend of yours?” I ask once I’m confident she’s well out of earshot.
Harlow laughs and excitement shoots through me. She is exactly what I need tonight.
I take a step closer, her perfume filling my nose and making my mouth water.
“Yeah, actually. My best friend.”
“Really? You seem so…”
“Different?”
“Yeah,” I say, relieved that I’m not the only one who sees how opposite they are.
“Don’t let her front fool you. She’s a great person. She just comes across a little—”
“Desperate?”
She laughs. “I was going to say full-on, but desperate works too. Everyone around us seems to be coupling up. Austin, Colton,” she says flicking a look over to where they’re standing with their girls. “She’s just feeling left behind.”
“And she thought I might get her up to speed.”
I watch her lips, enthralled as she purses them to take a sip of her drink. “You’ve no idea. She’s been going on and on about meeting you since Austin told her you’d first moved here.”
“Why? She’s never met me. I could be a right arsehole.” A smile curls
