Page 87 of Nothing to Win

“Want to get out of here?”

Blinking, her eyes turned, rising to his.“Please.”

He didn’t hesitate.He didn’t even put down his drink.Swooping her around, they were out the door like she’d never been there.The elevator was waiting and then they were inside going up.

“Most would say Brogan Spurn doesn’t bring out a person’s good side,” Tripp said, offering her his drink.Thank the gods for liquor.“Most would say…” The glass was still at her lip when one corner of his mouth tipped.“Good thing we know different, huh?”

The ping of the elevator heralded his hand meeting hers.Clutching him tight, she let him lead down the corridor.Private suites.These were the private suites.Where did those gods go?She’d never been in Tripp’s suite before.That had to be where they were going.Her brain was absolutely on a go-slow.What had she expected?Oh, this could be bad.

Inside, drapes closed over the far wall covered the floor to ceiling windows.Lights were low, the bar beckoned.It reeked of a specific atmosphere.

He relieved her of the empty glass.Where’d all the liquid go?Was that her?

“You’re a wine drinker,” Tripp said, disappearing behind the bar.“Red or white?You like both, right?”

“Uh…” How did he know that?“Red… please.”

“Fingers crossed I get it right.”

Wine.How did he know she liked wine?And was that an implication she was picky?Brogan said that about her.Had he said that about her to Tripp?When was he talking to Tripp… about her?

“How do you, um… How do you know Brogan?”

They’d spent time together, her and Tripp, in the group.You know, with other people, Roxie people.This was their first one on one and she regretted it already.

“Spurn’s practically family,” he said, pouring wine.“Carver’s his cousin.He and my brothers own BKS, their security firm.”

Right.She knew that.

He came over, wine and Scotch in hand, to give her the former as he sat at her side.Right there next to her.Close.Too close?

“You know, Brogan and I just—we were—and we’re not—you’re gorgeous, you know you’re hot, and—I’m not—I didn’t—”

“Relax,” he said, highly amused.“If I wanted to seduce you, I’d have done it already.”

As he drank, his humor lit, smoldering with a guarantee she believed.

She shifted to get a better look at him.“You’re cocky.”

“I am.”Least he owned it.“Besides fresh back on the market isn’t my style.Except in specific circumstances, you know, my momma raised me right.”Uh… okay.“There’s a reason everyone loves me.”

Yes, and that confidence not only put her at ease, it broadened her smile.

“I feel utterly safe and highly unprepared.”

“Nothing to prepare for, baby.I’ve got you.”

That was seductive right now.Maybe not in an “I want to have sex with you” way, but in a “don’t let the big, bad world get me” kind of way.

Wanting to believe it, she asked, “You do?”

“They call me ‘Priest’ for a reason.”He swung one open arm out to the room.“Anything said in these hallowed walls is as private as confession.”

“Which may be why everyone likes you.What about you?”she asked.“Do you like everyone?”

“On the planet?”

“Those you’ve met.”