Page 13 of Hard to Resist

I’ll admit, even I didn’t realize it had gotten that late. My plan had been to just grab an after-work drink and head back to the hotel and get a good night’s rest before the meeting in the morning. I didn’t expect to find myself swept up with the stunning blonde, discussing soulmates and whatnot. Our conversation was deep, but it didn’t feel like there was any pressure to it–it was almost natural.

Verity pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying her jaw slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

She lets out a huff through her button nose. “I should head back.”

“Are you sure?” I rest my elbows on my knees and lean forward. “The night’s still young.”

“Don’t you have a meeting in the morning?”

“I do. Ishouldhead back as well. Doesn’t mean I want to. What about you, Verity? Do youwantto head home?”

“I…”

Her gaze gets lost in mine, those swirling blue oceans turning a shade darker as her chest rises.

My fingers twitch, and before I can stop myself, I’m reaching forward. My finger traces the edge of her jaw before stopping at her chin. Using the slightest amount of pressure, I tilt her head up.

“What will it be, angel?”

Her features melt as she leans into my touch, lips parting slightly with an open invitation.

A tray clatters to the ground, the clanking metal ripping through our bubble. The spell breaks, and Verity pulls back with a sharp inhale. Within seconds, she has gathered her phone, coat, and purse and shot to her feet.

“I should go before…” Her attention falls to my lips again, and that hunger passes over her features for a millisecond before she shuts it down. “Just before. Thank you, for the drinks, and the food, and the everything.” She rummages around in her purse and pulls out a credit card.

I stand up and place my hand on hers.

“Sonny was serious when he said it’s on the house. He won’t take the money.”

“Okay, well, still. Thank you, Cullen. I had a great night.” She gives me an awkward bow of her head and then twists to snake her way back through the speakeasy.

The whiplash muddles my brain, but I take the time to slip a fifty out of my wallet and leave it on the table. Sonny might not let me pay, but I’ll still leave a tip.

By the time I catch up to Verity, the elevator doors are opening and she’s stepping inside. She stands stiffly as I come torest next to her, and a nervous energy fills the metal box as we ascend.

When we make it up to ground level, she barely takes two steps out before swaying slightly to the side. My hand shoots out to grip her elbow, helping her stay upright.

“You good?”

She pauses, raising a hand to her temple with a frown. “I think those drinks are all starting to hit me at once.”

“Come on.”

I readjust my grip, and she doesn’t shrug me off, letting me lead her back through the restaurant and out to the street. The sky is pitch black, but the neon lights from the restaurant and the typical city lights chase away the darkness that should be present at this time of night.

“Here, let me grab us a cab.”

I let her go and step forward, raising my hand to hail the taxi rounding the corner.

“Oh, no, it’s all good. I got it.”

I look back over my shoulder to see her face illuminated by her phone.

“There’s a train coming in like five.”

“The subway?”

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