Page 46 of Boss with Benefits

Once again, she mentally kicked herself for wearing the dress.

Jessica checked her shoe for stray toilet paper before returning to her date. The walk back to her table seemed to stretch for miles. She was all too aware of every eye that glanced her way, but she tried to act as though she had no idea. Years ago, she had been a teen model and had learned several important lessons along the way. Among them, she’d been taught how to walk. Chin high, she used that knowledge now. Her hips swayed just enough to be provocative, and she prayed she wouldn’t trip.

Brady stood and held her chair for her.

Before she could make an excuse for them to leave, he lifted his champagne glass. “I would like to toast our first official date,” he said. “The first of many, I hope.”

She wrapped her trembling fingers around the stem of her glass, and she raised it high enough to tap it against his glass.Clink.Hoping a little alcohol would calm her frayed nerves, she quickly downed her champagne. The bubbles tickled her nose, and she snorted.

A few disapproving glares found her. Did people lose their sense of humor when their bank accounts started to thrive? She had the childish urge to stick her tongue out at them. The only thing that stopped her was the sound of Brady clearing his throat. Once he recaptured her attention, his facial features relaxed slightly.

“You shouldn’t drink so much so fast on an empty stomach,” he said. He picked up a roll and buttered it for her. “Here. Eat this. The bread will soak up some of the booze.”

She grinned at him. “I don’t want to soak up the booze. Feels good.”

“I forgot what a lightweight you are, getting drunk on one glass of champagne. Wow.”

“I am not drunk,” she said. “Seriously. I’m just a little buzzed, and it feels good.”

The smile froze to his face. “Yeah. You said that already.”

She lifted her nearly empty glass. “More please.”

“Eat first. Then I’ll give you a refill.”

His attitude sparked a little rebellious anger in her gut. “You aren’t the boss of me,” she said. “You’re not the boss of me at work, and you aren’t the boss of me at dinner. I’m thirsty, and I want a drink.”

Instead of filling her glass, he stood. For a moment, she thought he was ready to walk out on her. Her breath caught. He held his hand out to her instead. Her handsome husband wanted to dance with her. Part of her wanted to demand to have her way, more champagne, but the music already had her swaying in her seat.

Or maybe it was the alcohol.

She allowed Brady to lead her to the dance floor. Once there, he pulled her into his arms. They were tight around her as he held her closer than normal. Then his real motive for wanting to dance became clear.

He spoke close to her ear. “If you want to keep your son, you had better snap out of it. I brought you here because of the paparazzi. They are everywhere and will be snapping pictures all night. If your ex hired a private eye, you can bet he’s watching us now. Start acting like a happily married woman or say goodbye to your son.”

His words hit home, and she instantly sobered.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

“No problem.” He gave her a little jerk. “Now, stare into my eyes like you are convinced I set the stars in the sky just for you.”

Thinking of Axl and how much it would hurt to lose him, she did as she was told without complaint. It wasn’t a hardship,after all. Every woman in the restaurant was wishing she was in Brady’s arms instead of her. She suspected every one of them would take her place if they could. He was handsome, sexy beyond measure, over-the-top wealthy, and he was a great dancer.

She tilted her face, offering him her lips.

Would he kiss her in public?

“Fantastic!” a female voice rang out, startling Jessica. Then a familiar French accent teased her ears. “It is such a small world. Don’t you agree?”

Brady let her go, and Jessica turned to find Greta, one of their repeat models standing behind her. Little scraps of material barely covered the woman’s nipples. For the most part, her breasts were on display, both tops and sides. Jessica squelched the urge to tell the French tart to put her boobs away. No one needed to see that.

She felt ridiculous now for being worried her own dress was inappropriate for the restaurant. No one would notice what she was wearing if they saw Greta first.

“Are you celebrating a successful business endeavor?” Greta asked, her hungry gaze on Brady.

Jessica shook her head.

“Something like that,” Brady said. “Who are you here with tonight?”

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