Page 34 of The Final Draft

“Truth.” She’s playful.

“Zac Burns?”

“Swedish Princess?” she teases in return.

“NDA.” I shrug. That’s all I can say.

“Do you like NDAs or just hide behind them?”

“I respect NDAs. In my line of work, they’re necessary. But remember, things aren’t aways what they seem.” I give her a little wink. Let’s get back to the original question. “Zac Burns?”

She takes another small sip. “Things aren’t always what they seem.” Her sassy mouth turns up, and she winks back, flirting with me. Her giggle is music to my ears.

“Good, because let me tell you something, gorgeous.” She leans in a little. “I don’t share.” My voice is low and serious.

Her eyes widen in response, as she leans back in the booth. I hope I didn’t come on too strong and frighten her away. As she takes a sip, I intently watch her, hoping to glean some insight into her thoughts. Determine if she has a tell. She puts her drink down, her fingers wrapped around the crystal glass, spinning it slowly. She squares her shoulders and boldly says, “Good thing, because I don’t either.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

HARPER

Before I know it, I’m completely charmed by Julian. I can’t help it. I fight it, try to act tough, put my shields up, and one seductive, growly comment destroys my resolve. I don’t even care about the princess. I enjoy teasing him.

“Good thing, because I don’t either,” I say. His eyes track my lips as I sip on my drink again. I don’t particularly like it, but at least I’m not chugging it and getting tipsy.

I need my wits about me or I’ll kiss him again. If he’s going to use me as his muse, then I’ll use him for, well, my pleasure. Hell. I still haven’t recovered from that kiss. It was the most sensual thing I’ve ever experienced or even imagined. I don’t have words strong enough to write a kiss that hot. Every nerve ending was awake and on high alert. It was electric, and I want to do it again. But I exercise control. Look at me. I deserve an Olympic medal for the level of restraint I’m showing because I really want to climb over this table, straddle his lap, and kiss him again. I squirm a little thinking about it.

“My turn, truth or dare?” I tease. I secretly hope he goes for the dare. Julian has been the star of my explicit daydreams, and I’m open to the idea of bringing them to life. As I think about him, I cross and uncross my legs. I’m sure his name will be on my lips the next time I come.

“Truth.” There’s no hesitation. He said he’d never lie to me. Is now the time to test that vow?

“If you weren’t a sports agent, what would you do?”

He takes a sizable sip of his drink, purses his lips while considering his answer. “Probably work with the Reapers is the realistic answer. Help in the family business. But if you’re asking me if I could do anything in the world, I’d say work in publishing, you know, books.”

Interesting. His answer was honest, although a little vague. I go for a follow-up, but he beats me to it.

“Truth or dare?”

I gently shake my head, chiding him for cutting me off. “Truth.”

“You don’t like your drink, do you?” Okay, so maybe my acting skills aren’t what I thought.

I giggle and wince. “Not really.”

He moves it in front of him. When I reach for my glass, he holds my hand. “Never drink something you don’t like because you think you should.” His eyes smolder. When I read about smoldering eyes, I obviously never fully understood the term. But I do now. All his attention is on me. If I’m reading him correctly, he’d rather be somewhere private. The next words he speaks are slow, intentional, and laced with innuendo. “Gorgeous, life is way too short to not enjoy it.” He waves the waiter over and orders another bottle of Aces and four entrees for dinner. The way he shifts from sex to casual conversation with the waiter seems effortless, and a little frightening.

“I thought you could mix and match for the Harper special,” he answers my unasked question.

“That’s pretty extravagant, Julian. Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Is this how you treat all the women you pursue?”

There’s no hesitation this time when he answers. “Nope. This is a first for me. Truth or dare?”

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