Seducing The Best Man. Sasha Summers

From the way he white-knuckled his beer bottle, he wanted her badly. That was very good news.

      “What do you do? What are you in charge of?” He took a long swig of beer.

      “For work?”

      “Isn’t that what we’re talking about?” He cocked an eyebrow, leveling her with a lethal, crooked grin.

      “Sure,” she teased. “I’m a systems security analyst.”

      His eyebrows rose. She wasn’t sure, but he looked impressed.

      “I know. Computers. It sounds super exciting, doesn’t it?” She grinned, leisurely enjoying a second olive.

      He shifted in his chair, setting his beer on the table a little harder than necessary.

      She bit back a smile. “And you?”

      “I’m a cop.” He sighed. “A detective.”

      It took everything she had not to say something about handcuffs. She really wanted to. “Really?” She should not be thinking about Patton and his handcuffs. Oh hell, there was no way she could stop thinking about Patton and handcuffs.

      His eyes narrowed, the muscle in his cheek jumping. “You’re pretty easy to read.”

      Cady’s cheeks were on fire but she met his gaze. “Then I guess we don’t need to worry about foreplay.”

      * * *

      HE KNEW AN invitation when he heard one. His body accepted. But he’d be damned if he let his dick make his mind up for him tonight. He tore his gaze from hers, on the verge of exploding. His one-night-stand days were over; he’d outgrown the thrill of the hunt years ago. But if he did, she would be impossible to resist.

      Focusing on something else—anything else—was impossible. She was the sexiest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Petite, feminine and a whole lot of fire. Sleek auburn hair, cut short along her jawline, interrupted by a bold stripe of blond. He didn’t like short hair on a woman, but he couldn’t deny there was something very appealing about Cady’s slender neck. Every damn time she tucked the blond strand of hair behind her ear, he imagined sucking on her ear lobe. And her shoulder... His hand itched to slip inside the neck of her low-hanging sweater. He wanted the weight of her breast in his hand. He wanted to touch her, to taste her.

      What the hell was wrong with him? After working three days straight, he’d wanted to go home, walk the dog, watch some sports, nuke his dinner and sleep for a good ten hours.

      His family was worried about him, he knew that. They all wanted him to get out and live a little—let go of what happened. This blind date was his brother Zach’s idea. A date that wasn’t supposed to happen, but he’d forgotten to cancel. Now, Patton couldn’t decide whether he wanted to thank his brother, or knock his lights out. There was no way Zach could know how Cady would affect him, but still... Looking at Cady, tonight he really did want to “live a little.”

      Her fingernails were dark blue, a stark contrast to her pale skin. He watched her small, agile fingers stir the olive-skewered toothpick in her drink. If she used her little pink tongue on one more damn olive, he was going to break something. Her huge brown eyes fixed on her drink. And her mouth... He took another long pull of his beer. Her lips were full and red and meant for tasting.

      “See anything you like?” She looked at him, peeking up at him through long lashes.

      Her words were soft, not nearly as cocky as she meant them to be. But he liked the softness, the hint of uncertainty. It was the hesitancy that made him answer honestly, “Yes.”

      She blinked, those full red lips parting.

      “I have your salads.” Their salads were placed on the table. “Pepper?”

      Patton shook his head. Their pretty-boy waiter and his pepper grinder needed to back the hell away from the table.

      “No, thank you,” Cady added, her eyes never wavering from his.

      “Another round?” the waiter asked, disappearing at their nod.

      “What am I thinking?” Cady asked Patton, her hands loosely resting on either side of her drink.

      He shook his head. He didn’t miss the shudder that ran along that bare shoulder or the way her breathing had picked up. The slight flush creeping along her skin told him everything—she was just as worked up as he was.

      “Don’t know or won’t say?”

      “Maybe I’ll show you later,” he murmured, fascinated by the way her eyes closed briefly and she bit her lower lip.

      Her brown eyes were molten, exploring his face. “I’m not that hungry—”

      “You will be,” he argued.

      She picked up her toothpick, the olive heading for her mouth. A bolt of hunger tightened his already rock-hard erection. His hand encircled her wrist, stopping her. He couldn’t be held responsible for his actions if she ate that damn olive.

      “Not a fan of olives?” she asked.

      “Not at the moment.” His fingers slid along her forearm, tracing the slight indention at her elbow. He pulled his hand back, the feel of her satin skin still on the tips of his fingers. How long had it been since he’d wanted to touch someone? To feel something? Right now, he’d never wanted anything more. He flexed his hand then gripped the empty beer bottle.

      Her phone vibrated again, immediately grabbing her attention. She relaxed, transformed from sexy to sweet by the all-encompassing smile on her face. “It’s Bibi,” she said.

      “Bibi?”

      “The one who set this up.” She tucked that piece of hair behind her ear again, unknowingly taunting him. “She told me to behave.” Her brown eyes met his.

      “What are you telling her?”

      “Not likely,” she murmured, her voice breathy.

      “Here you go.” The waiter placed their drinks on the table. “Your steaks will be out shortly.”

      There was no mistaking the desire in her eyes as she rasped, “Can we get that to go?”

      Patton’s pants grew painfully tight.

      “To go?” the waiter asked.

      “To go,” Patton affirmed. The sooner the better. At the moment, he was seriously contemplating breaking a few laws about what should or shouldn’t be done in public. It was crazy, he knew it, but he didn’t care.

      “Of course.” The look of confusion on the waiter’s face as he left was comical.

      “Unless you have plans?” she said with a coy grin. “I thought I’d be going to bed early tonight.”

      “Oh, you are.” He couldn’t resist, or hold back the smile.

      She laughed. “You’re a surprise, Patton.”

      He was a surprise? He shook his head.

      Their waiter returned long enough to place their to-go bag on the table, setting the small black bill binder on the table. “It was a pleasure serving you this evening.”

      Patton pulled his wallet out, tucked several bills in the binder and stood. He came around the table and slid Cady’s chair back for her.

      Cady stared up at him. “I knew you had it in you to be a gentleman.” She stood, leaning closer and lowering her voice. “I’m not really looking for a gentleman tonight.”

      Patton stared down at her. “Good to know.” The few inches between them was charged with undiluted hunger. He couldn’t resist. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the fullness of her lower lip. The simple touch had her leaning into his hand and him leaning into her. When her lips fastened on his thumb, his breath escaped on a hiss. She smiled up at him, the thrill of power in her gaze a challenge he’d gladly accept.