16. Naomi

WatchingColder in his element held a different vibe now that I knew him…intimately.

I couldn't keep my eyes off his shoulders and the tapered line to his truly exceptional ass. He zipped around the bar filling drinks, making polite chitchat, and I watched that tip jar fill to the top. Astounding.

Maybe I should ask to waitress here if I couldn't find a job.

Even at the thought, I was itching to get back to my computer. Not to put in an application to one of the fourteen publishing houses I'd researched in pure terror when I'd been fired, but to finish the chapter I'd been working on. Well, until Iona had dressed me and dragged me out to dinner.

I was getting used to being her paper doll, and I couldn't say I minded. Especially with how Colder had looked at me when I came in. Like I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen with a side of scorching heat.

And now I was well aware what that gaze felt like on—all over—my body.

His eyes were the lightest blue I'd ever seen and so very watchful. He was busy as hell but he still kept stopping in to check on us.

"Tell me, Naomi…how did you ensnare my boy?" Duncan came down and sat on my side of the stools. He'd been striking out all night and Iona had taken at least three numbers that I"d noticed.

She worked a room like no one else. And she"d turned down many a man, including Duncan.

"I didn"t ensnare him. We"re just..."

"Just..."

What was I supposed to say to that? Colder is giving me lessons in the carnal arts?Orgasms for extra credit? I was steadily trying for my graduate classes in naked times?

"Seeing where it goes."

Duncan raised a brow at me. He features were craggier than Colder's. A bit rougher hewn, but not in a bad way. Just different. Not sure how Colder had become my gold standard so fast, but he definitely was. "Does that mean I have a shot if he fucks it up?"

Colder turned around from the ice chest he was pulling from. He crossed to wherewe were and dumped the huge bucket into the basin somewhere below."Don"t believe anything he says. It"s eightypercent bullshit."

"Not this time." Duncan sipped his beer. "You"re far too gorgeous for the likes of my friend."

"Is that right?" I grinned before taking another sip from my Paloma. They were going down far too smoothly. I was glad we were within walking distance of the apartment building, that was for sure.

"You know you"re beautiful."

"No, she doesn"t," Iona said from beside me.

"You"re back." I wrapped an arm around Iona. "I missed you."

"You might need a water more than I do." She hugged me back, then she hopped back up on her stool. She held up a finger to Colder, who grabbed a glass. "The lawyer dude was boring. Is that all we have around here these days? Ugh."

Duncan held up his hand. "Sportswriter, right here."

Iona rolled her eyes. "Not you."

"Burned again," Colder said and set a large ice water in front of Iona and one in front of me. "Your cheeks are getting red."

I leaned my elbows on the bar to prop up my head. It felt very heavy all of a sudden. "Your tequila is very strong."

Colder grinned at me. "Or you have no tolerance."

"Both." Iona laughed.

Duncan leaned forward and looked at Iona. "And why not?"

"Why not what?" Iona's voice was dry as dust.

"Why am I on the block list?"

"Because you are entirely too in love with yourself. You probably wouldn"t know where to find a clit if it shouted and waved at you."

"Iona!" I covered my mouth as a few people turned at my outburst.

"What?" She pulled her water in front of her and took a long drink. "I know the type."

"You don"t know me, doll." Duncan took a drink.

"Oh, I do. Do you even remember my name? Or do you just use doll, baby, honey, or sweetheart?"

"Oh, I remember your name, Ingrid."

Iona"s amber eyes flashed.

Duncan grinned. He drained his beer and pushed the glass back toward Colder. "I think that was my cue to go find my bed. At least as long as I get to keep my bed."

"Have a girlfriend at home too, stud?" Iona stabbed at the ice in her glass with her straw.

"Yep. That"s exactly what I"ve got." Duncan slid off his stool. "Nice to meet you, Naomi. If this idiot screws up, make sure you keep me under consideration."

"Out!" Colder said.

Duncan pulled a ten out of his wallet and tossed it on the bar. "I know where I"m not wanted." He glanced back at Iona. "Have a good night, Imelda."

Iona flashed him a middle finger.

I used my straw to stir my ice around. I didn"t want to go, but I was beat. "I suppose we should find our way home. I don"t think I can hold out until closing time."

Colder leaned on the bar. "We had a busy afternoon."

"Oh, gross." Iona slurped up the last of her water. "We"re going. Romeo can see you tomorrow. I think you can handle it."

Colder slipped his fingers along mine as he took my glass. "See you tomorrow?"

"Definitely."

"You"ll bring her down?" Colder glanced at Iona.

"We"ll be there."

"We will?" Carefully, I slid off my stool. Damn heels were much harder to walk in after three drinks. "What"s tomorrow?"

"Sunday Funday." Iona slipped her arm through mine. "Now we will find our beds."

"Bed sounds nice." I gave Colder a soft smile. "Night, professor."

He shook his head.

Callahan stopped behind Colder for a moment, then he held up his hand. "I don"t want to know."

I waved then we weaved our way through the bar. "What"s Sunday Funday?"

"You"ll see."

I was too tired to ask more questions. Instead of finding pizza on the way home this time, we just quietly walked across the road to the median. The night was a little chilly, but the coolness felt nice after the crowded bar. There was no doorman after midnight, so we had to use our key fobs to access the front door.

"I really like this building."

"Me too. I"m even happier that you"re here with me." Iona pressed her cheek to mine before pushing me through the big doors.

We bumped against each other as we crossed the lobby to the elevators. "You"re the best for letting me crash with you."

"You"re paying rent, not like you"re couch surfing. And you"re going to be a bestselling author soon."

"Stop." I laughed, but I was just buzzed enough to let the fantasy swirl in my mind.

As we got off on our floor we did a few more hip bumps down the hallway to our place. "Who lives across from Colder?" I asked.

"I"m not sure. He rarely comes out of there whenever I"m around. Quiet type and keeps to himself."

"Hmm."

"C"mon. No more thinking, observing, or figuring stuff out tonight. Sleep."

"Sleep sounds nice." I gave her a sloppy hug and and went down the hallway to my room. My purse buzzed as I got inside.

Colder:

Making sure you"re home safe.

I smiled at my phone. I couldn"t remember the last time someone checked up on me who wasn"t a blood relation.

I'm home. Hope to see you tomorrow.

Colder:

You will. Oh, and I'll be dreaming about you tonight in those heels.

And nothing else?

Colder:

Not a thing.

I sat down on the side of my bed. I'd had just enough tequila to make me bold. I slipped out of my dress and set my phone on my bedside table, then crossed my legs to show off the heels.

I wasn't sauced enough to be completely stupid, so I just cropped out my legs from the photo and sent it to him.

Colder:

Warn a guy. Fuck.

wink> Night.

Colder:

Better night now. See ya tomorrow.

I grinned and slipped off the heels and put my nightclothes on before sliding into bed. It was the first time I'd been excited about the future in a long time.

And it was all because of Colder.