Page 23 of Maneater
But with the smile and the way he said it, all low and sexy and accompanied by the knowledge of what his fingers can do to my body…it is. It is so hot.
Unfortunately, assholes totally do it for me. It’s why I’m still single, of course. For some crazy reason, I want a man who is an asshole to everyone but treats me like a princess. Unfortunately, it seems that man only exists in my imagination.
“You were so nice at the bar,” I say, my voice going soft. It’s a lie, but I tell it anyway.
As if without meaning to, his eyes move over myface, down my body, and back up again before smiling wider, like a predator sensing prey.
“I think that was an extenuating circumstance.”
I roll my eyes because it seems he is also a liar. Unfortunately, unlike me, he’s not very good at it. I step forward, closing the gap between us and putting a hand on his arm. It’s covered in a thin, white button-down, too dressy for a casual beach resort, but I can still feel his warmth beneath my hand and his strong muscles flexing as I rest there. A rush runs through me.
I am a sucker for arms. It actually would be beneficial for my work ethic if he kept the business casual attire the entire time he’s staying here because if he bared them, I might actually have a problem.
“Well,” I start, smiling coyly up at him. “Maybe we can recreate those circumstances.”
He stares down at me with a look of impatience, and it’s then that I realizeit’s not working. Sure, he’s a bit distracted by my every curve being on display in this bathing suit, but beyond that, he’s either holding tight to some rope of restraint and professionalism, or he’s just not falling for it.
And in that same moment, I decide to make it my new personal mission to get Rowan to look at me with the same heat he showed me in that bar, to make him want me, even if I won’t cross that line now that things are different and this is for work.
It’s a point of pride, being able to have a man falling at my feet. And I won’t let Rowan Fisher ruin my perfect score.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he says, and it almost feels like he’s saying it to my new plan, the side quest I’m about to take, and it just strengthens my resolve. I love a challenge, and he just presented me with the perfect one: crack Rowan Fisher once and for all.
And, of course, get whatever information I need from him along the way.
I sigh as if I’m put off before smiling. “Fine. Can you at least take meback to my room? Like Rory said, I’m shit at directions, and I wouldn’t want to stumble on a crime scene.”
“Again,” he adds.
“Exactly.” I smile. “If there’s trouble, I’m sure to find it. Been that way since I was a kid. Probably best you make sure I get back to my room safe and sound, so I don’t create chaos.”
He looks like it’s the biggest burden he could imagine before finally, he lets out another deep sigh and nods.Not completely immune to my charm, after all, I think, with a satisfied inward grin.
“Fine.”
“Don’t sound too excited, now,” I say.
“Trust me, I’m not.”
I roll my eyes, then shift my attention to Rory.
“Okay, well, I am pretty good with directions, so I think I can get myself to the spa with no problem. See you later, Josie. Nice meeting you, Rowan,” she says with a smile, and then she walks off.
“What’s your room number?” Rowan asks brusquely once she’s gone.
“4819.”
He nods before he starts moving toward the hotel without a word. I take a few quick steps to catch up, then have to almost jog to keep up with his speed and his long legs.
“So, a work emergency, huh? Was that the emergency?” I ask as we walk into the lobby of the hotel. “Having to come to paradise?” The silence continues to hang between us as he takes a left turn.
“What do you do here?” I try a new question, trying to play it casual. Usually, whenever I hook up with someone, I conduct a thorough investigation into their life story, but for the first time, I didn’t with Rowan. Not with my knowing him as long as I have, and then the morning after receiving our assignment. I’m deeply regretting it now.
“VP of Operations,” he says succinctly, and I can’t decide if that’s amazing news or absolutely horrific. It’s good because he’s probably not our guy, considering he was in New Jersey just two days ago andonly came to this location because of the sabotage. Bad because, well, he works for the company.
In fact, he doesn’t just work for the company; he’s high up the ladder.
“Do you like it?”
