I glance at the dance floor where she’s pointing, and sure enough, Tyra is swinging her hips suggestively as she crooks her finger toward me.
Fuck sake.
I wave her off, trying to mouth that I’m busy, hoping she gets the hint and leaves me alone, just for a moment longer. I turn back to Violet and smile. “They’ll survive without me.”
“I’m not so sure. I think you were practically holding her up at one point,” she retorts hotly, and if I’m not mistaken, a hint of jealousy peeks through her rather quiet demeanor. “Not that I care. I mean, I’m just saying.”
I laugh out loud, taking in her flustering lips and those bright-red cheeks. Even in the dim light, I can tell she’s shy, embarrassed by her comments.
“If you can’t make the shoot, then let me take you out?” My question has the opposite effect on her, though. I thought she’d be excited by the prospect of a date, but instead, she shoots me a glare.
“Look, Colton, your flirtatious behavior may work with those girls,” she snaps, gesturing once more to the dance floor, “but I’m not them. I’m not someone’s notch on a bedpost.”
“I never said you were.”
“No, but a date, or dinner, or anything like that will only lead to something that will put my job at risk.” She folds her arms across her chest, which only makes the soft silk shift, and her cleavage peeks at me, taunting me.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” I tell her earnestly. “I’m rather taken with you.” I don’t know why I’m being so honest with her, or why I am taken with her, but something about the fire in her eyes has me wanting to delve deeper.
“Taken with me?” she snarks. “This would never work, whatever this is because I’m not the girl you take out on dates.” When she notices my furrowed brows, she continues, “You take girls like them on dates, or whatever it is. And your reputation precedes you, Colton King—you’re a one-night type of man, and that’s not what I’m prepared to allow myself to fall into.”
She finally stops her tirade, which only makes her more attractive to me. Violet may think she’s getting away from me, but there’s something she doesn’t realize—I always get the girl I want. Whether it’s on the night, or a week, or month later.
“Listen.” I step another inch closer to her, feeling her heat and inhaling her fragrance. This close, the music in the background melts away, the voices and chattering of people disappear, and I’m left with just her. Nothing else matters but tasting her lips, right the fuck now.
I lean into her, my lips nearing hers, and I’m so close I can almost taste her. What I’m not expecting is her hand landing harshly across my face. This girl has fire, I’ll give her that. Granted, I have been slapped a few times before, but that was the morning after, not the night before.
“If you ever try to kiss me again,” Violet whispers, low and feral, and I’m so tempted to see if this kitty scratches. “I’ll knee you right in the junk you like to use so often.”
Her words have me laughing out loud. I’ve never in my life been turned down by a woman, and I’ve also never met someone with so much fire it blazes through her.
I’m about to respond when she turns on her heel and makes to leave the VIP balcony, but before she disappears, she glances over her shoulder to inform me, “I’ll set up a meeting with Blythe for Monday morning. I’d like to get the interview over and done with.”
And then she’s gone.
But she doesn’t realize I’m not giving up that easily.
I will have a taste of Violet, and she’ll be begging me for it.
6
Violet
By the time I reach the bar, I’m shaking and need a drink. The bartender glances my way and smiles. I order a shot of tequila, and when he brings it, I swallow it in one gulp and ask for one more.
Blythe finds me on my second shot and watches me through narrowed eyes. “You’re different from what I thought.” Her voice is almost drowned out by the music, but I hear her.
“Why?”
“You’re not a fangirl,” she attests. “I like it. No woman has ever refused Colton, and I think his ego has taken a hit.”
“His ego can be shoved up his ass. I’m here to do my job,” I bite out, the alcohol having it’s intended effect, and I’m warm all over. I glance at Blythe, her cool blue eyes burning right through me as she regards me with a smile.
“I like it. Stay, have a few more drinks. Don’t let him chase you off.” She taps me on the shoulder. “You’re welcome to sit in VIP with us. Drinks are delivered.”
She leaves me at the bar to consider her offer. Even though I wanted to leave, I decide she’s right. He can’t chase me off, though that’s not exactly what he did. Instead, he wanted to take me out.
Frustration blooms in my stomach, and I call for one more shot. Once I’ve gulped it down with a wince, I head onto the dance floor and close my eyes. The music holds me close, wrapping its beat around me, and pulling me this way and that.
I focus on my own movements, ignoring the crowd around me. I feel warmth at my back. I continue to move, ignoring whoever the hell it is trying to dance with me.
I’m lost to the rhythm when large hands land on my hips and whoever he is sways with me. A smile tilts on my lips at the way he holds me almost possessively.
The song changes and I spin around coming face-to-face with Colton watching me with a satisfied smirk on his perfect mouth. I step back, bumping into someone, and he pulls me closer, out of the way of everyone else. We’re inches apart. I can feel his breath, and I know he can feel mine.
I should move.
I want to move.
But I also don’t want to move.
“You have an attractive body,” he coos in my ear, sending goosebumps skittering across my skin. His breath fans over my cheek as he moves my hair out of the way, and I feel his lips brushing along the curve of my shoulder.
“Why are you doing this?” I whimper, my resolve being broken down brick by brick. I blame tequila. It’s been the bane of my existence since I learned to drink at twenty-one.
“Because I want you.” Even though his words feel sincere, I can’t allow myself to fall for it. I’ve heard promises before. They were all empty. I’ve also heard confessions and admissions from men, but I never allowed myself to be swept away.
Fairy tales are just that—made-up fiction. It’s not real life, and a girl like me doesn’t end up with a guy like Colton King. My palms land on his chest, and I feel every ridge and peak of his muscles. I push slightly. He allows me to step away.
His eyes, those strange teal orbs that seem endless, sparkle under the blue and purple lights. He watches me so intently that I feel it right down to my core. I don’t want to admit it, but he does affect me, far too much for me to be comfortable with him this close.
“I have to go,” I tell him quickly and race out of the club, ignoring him calling after me. When I reach the door, I step out into the cool night air and take a long, deep breath.
The breeze picks up my hair, whipping it around my face, and the coolness hits my heated skin, causing me to shiver. On the sidewalk, I flag down a cab and slip into the backseat.