Page 32 of Backup Plan

I want more time with him.

I mean, I know this isn’t going to turn into anything. It’s just sex.

But, God, the sex.

I blow out a breath as my thighs start to ache from clenching together so much around this man.

“It went well. Why are you thinking San Diego?”

“Kennedy said they could find me a position at VanBrad,” she says. She lifts a shoulder. “I think I want to give that a try.”

“What about fashion?” Liam asks gently, referring to her major.

“The more classes I take, the less I want to work in it.” She presses her lips together, and I can’t help but think about all this poor girl has been through. Her dad was arrested, her mom died, and she’s graduating college—major life events all occurring within a few months of each other.

Maybe starting over in San Diego isn’t the worst idea for her. Liam might end up there, too, for a while, anyway.

“So can we go do something fun now?” she asks.

Liam glances at me, and I’m sure I’m giving him the kind of look that tells him that I don’t want to go out with Ivy. He correctly reads the room.

“Go out with Ainsley,” he says, referring to her best friend. “I’m going to bed.” He doesn’t give a further excuse.

She doesn’t ask me if I want to go out, which is fine. She’s twelve years younger than me, and I’m a single mom, nearly divorced. It’s not like we have a lot in common to paint the town red together.

She rolls her eyes and huffs. “Fine, I’ll try to tear Ains away from Dex.”

“How long before we can both duck out without raising suspicion?” Liam asks close to my ear.

I shiver at his warm breath on my skin. I want his hands on my hips. I want his mouth on mine.

This isn’t me—this lusty, horny woman itching to get the hell out of here with him—but it’s the thrill of being with a hot stud of a younger man, the absolute intoxication of the way he looks at me like he needs me to breathe paired with the champagne I’ve been drinking all night. The memory of his mouth on my body, kissing my most intimate parts, letting me be wild and free for maybe the first time in my life.

Before I get the chance to answer, Everleigh cuts in between us. Of course she does. She has no reason not to. “Maverick’s here and he’s a little drunk, and drunk Mav is my favorite because he’s not so damn serious. So we’re heading out. The first event tomorrow is brunch at eleven in my suite. See you there?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“Liam can walk you back if you want to stay and dance a little longer.” She slaps her brother on the back. “Right, Liam?”

He clenches his jaw like it’s some big imposition on him, but he relents. Damn, he’s a good actor. Probably something I should keep in mind.

“Don’t worry about me,” I say. “You go have fun with your soon-to-be husband.”

She winks at me. “I plan to.”

“Ugh, Everleigh!” Liam says, pulling an exaggeratedly annoyed face that he has to hear about his sister’s sex life.

God, if she only knew about ours…

CHAPTER 10: Penny Calloway

Addicted to You

I watch as Madden and Kennedy walk out with the bride and groom. Ainsley has her arm linked through Ivy’s, and Dex is trailing behind them, on high alert that his wife has been drinking and making sure she’s taken care of. Luke and Ellie head out, too, and then so do the rest of the people who were here celebrating the bride and groom since the people of honor have left.

I glance around, and my eyes land back on Liam. “Looks like it’s just us left.”

He glances around, too, and when he doesn’t see anyone from our respective parties, his eyes move back to mine. “So I can do this?” He leans forward and presses his lips to mine.