Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Definitely thirsty. Here, have a sip.”
With a smile, she does as bidden as I admire the elegant arch of her neck. She blinks innocently at me.
“I saw you talking to someone else earlier. I thought maybe that woman was your wife. Or girlfriend maybe?”
“My what?” I’m confused for a beat, and then I laugh. “No, you must mean my sister. Laurelin’s a busybody, just ignore her. She loves getting into everyone’s business.”
The mystery woman smiles at me, and my heart starts racing double time.
“That’s how it is with siblings isn’t it?”
I smile ruefully.
“Well, with mine, definitely. By the way, I’m Chan. And you are?”
She giggles and places her tiny, delicate hand in mine. “I’m Trixie.”
I pause. I wouldn’t have guessed that her name is Trixie. It’s not a bad name, exactly, but I always thought people named Trixie ate breakfast cereals that come in rainbow colors. By contrast, this woman looks lush and full, like she eats creamy peanut butter on brioche in the mornings.
“So how do you like the champagne?”
“I like it! I’ve never had anything like it before. Do you know what it is?”
“It’s a brut rosé, a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir. It comes all the way from France. I could go on and on about champagne and sparkling wines, but I don’t want to bore you.”
She giggles and looks at the glass with awe, before reverently taking another sip. I’m not a wine connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, but I do know the basics. Also, I read the label on the bottles when they were bringing them into the venue. I’ll keep that little truth to myself.
“Can I ask you a question?” I ask.
She nods.
“Why did you come out here alone?”
Trixie sets the wine on the railing and picks off the bright red strawberry that decorates the rim of the glass. Her tongue catches a drop of wine from the tip of the fruit, and my shaft twitches against my leg. I shift my weight slightly to hide it, but fortunately, Trixie doesn’t seem to notice.
“I was really looking forward to tonight,” she says. “I’ve never been to a party that’s so fancy—er, I mean elegant. I was supposed to be here with my friend, but she got sick. I guess I was feeling a little lonely here by myself. It was a nice change to step out onto the balcony and get a breath of fresh air.”
I think back to the blank, hollow stares of the other female guests, and nod. “Yeah, it can be stifling indoors. To be honest, I only know a few people in attendance myself, and the rest? Well, I don’t really want to know them.”
She nods and takes another thoughtful bite from the strawberry. “Yes, parties sometimes get so overhyped, don’t you think? There’s this thing called FOMO, or fear of missing out. I suffer from it sometimes, just like all millennials. But I have to remind myself that life is to be lived, and not glimpsed through someone else’s Instagram account.”
I grin at her, impressed.
“You’re right, honey. Life definitely shouldn’t be lived over social media. It’s to be experienced in 3-D and in person.”
After several beats of silence, she laughs at herself. “I’m so sorry, Chan. I don’t usually get so deep around strangers, but for some reason, it’s really easy to talk to you. I’ve probably freaked you out.”
I step closer, my voice dropping an octave.
“Not at all, actually. I find our conversation stimulating, and it’s nice to know there are women who don’t have their head in the clouds. Sometimes in New York, I’m not sure.”
She giggles again but the sound is cut off because I lean down to seize those plush lips with mine. I can’t help it anymore. This woman is so beautiful and charming, and she’s one in a million. I’ve been on the dating scene a long time, and I know a diamond when I see one.
At first, Trixie’s startled. She jerks back with surprise, but then moans sweetly into my mouth while parting her lips. I take the opportunity and gently touch her tongue with my own, savoring the taste of strawberries and wine and everything sweet. God, she’s so plush. Her full breasts press against the wall of my chest, and I can’t help but growl against her lips, pulling our lower halves into contact.
She gasps suddenly, those big brown eyes looking up at me.
“Don’t be scared,” I rasp into her ear. “It’s big, but you’ll enjoy it.” Before she can answer, I drag my lips over to her ear, nibbling there. “Come home with me,” I growl. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
She hesitates, vibrating like a hummingbird, and for a second, I’m terrified that she’s about to say no. But then Trixie giggles, her fingertips caress the back of my neck, and I know I’m going to have the best night ever of my life.