18. Valerie

18

VALERIE

The thumping music around me fades into a faint hum, and all I can see is Carter Jones and the way his warm brown eyes stare at me like he’s looking deep into my soul.

“ The next dance is mine.”

Am I in a romance movie?

This feels like a scene from a romance movie…

The possessive gleam in Carter’s eyes makes my toes curl in my kitten heels, and the confident way he takes my hand and leads me to the populated dance floor before I manage to utter a reply makes my heart race wildly in my chest.

In a daze, I remember I wasn’t alone before Carter drew me away. I glance over my shoulder and see Jennifer still standing with the two guys who had approached us after the last song ended. For the life of me, I cannot remember their names. I knew them a few seconds ago, but Carter Jones’s arrival had effectively commanded all of my awareness and focus.

Through the haze clouding my mind, I notice the men look like they’re arguing. Jennifer, on the other hand, grins from ear to ear. When she sees my attention, she gives me a thumbs up with a giddy bounce on her toes.

I’d laugh if I weren’t distracted by the various emotions swirling in my mind. Not the least being excitement.

I didn’t know Carter would be here tonight. Megan has outdone herself by arranging this surprise party. I had absolutely no idea she’d turn our long overdue girls’ weekend into an over-the-top birthday celebration for me. There are girls here that I haven’t spoken to since college, Jennifer included, and it’s been so fun hanging out with them again.

Megan is a master at keeping secrets.

And it’s in character with her meddling ways to give Carter an invitation to the event, as well.

Not that I’m upset about it.

In fact, the two spiked seltzers swimming in my stomach give me the confidence to admit the opposite.

I’m happy to see Carter.

Too happy.

A tiny voice reminds me that I need to temper my expectations. Carter and I have agreed, twice now , to maintain a professional relationship. We said we wouldn’t complicate the fact that I’m now a live-in nanny by throwing sex into the equation.

But right now, those words are empty. They’re meaningless.

How could they not be when Carter spins me once and then draws me into his body so I can feel the hardness of his abdominal muscles?

A hand rests on the small of my back, holding me in place as our bodies begin to sway to the beat of the music. All the while, the football star gazes down at me with lustful eyes that make my panties wet.

Have mercy…

Carter is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, let alone been with.

Everything about him oozes sex appeal, including the easygoing nature and fun-loving dad I see behind closed doors. He’s the total package. Literally. I can’t think of a single thing I don’t like about him. Even his drama with his ex isn’t a deal breaker.

I haven’t seen Carter act immaturely or even say anything rude about the twin’s mom—not even when she’s constantly disappointing Abby and Andy by canceling trips and ignoring their phone calls.

Carter is better than I would be in that situation. He’s better than most people I know.

Even my dad, whom I consider a near-saint, couldn’t refrain from talking badly about my mom now and then. But it was only because she’d said or done something that made me cry.

But Carter has seen his children brought to tears by their mother more than once, yet I’ve never heard him let his dislike of the woman slip around them.

He’s amazing.

And so caring.

And, right now, he’s mine .

It’s a foolish thing to think.

Carter Jones will never be mine .

We’re at different stages of our lives. He has an established career with two kids while I quit my high-paying job to have the freedom to figure out what I want to do with my life.

The attraction between us may be electric, but reality is always there, ready to douse the sparks before they can ignite.

And reality would succeed at this moment if it weren’t for the alcohol flowing in my veins, daring me to be bold.

The rhythm of the song changes. I adjust my stance so my lower half brushes up against Carter’s as I move. I’m practically grinding on him in the middle of the dance floor. It’s so unlike me, but I don’t give a damn.

Carter’s hands run up and down my back. Lust flares in his eyes every time I brush against his growing erection. He tries to lean back to stop from pressing into me, but I put my hands on his hips and hold him in place.

His head falls forward to rest against my temple. “ Val,” he growls in my ear.

The siren within me sings in delight.

He sounds unraveled. And when he pulls back and locks eyes with me, a thrill zips through my core at the realization that I have this effect on him.

Screw the alcohol.

That’s not what’s influencing this behavior.

I’m lusting after Carter because I’m so painfully attracted to him that I can’t get him out of my head. He’s the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before going to sleep.

I’ve caught feelings for my boss, and now, on the night of my twenty-fourth birthday, I decide to give myself a present. Screw our agreement. I want him. And I’m going to get him.

I rise on my toes, holding onto the top of his shoulders for balance, and whisper in his ear, “Come back to my hotel room with me.”