Page 16 of House Rules
She pats her purse. “These tickets…thank you. I really like Random Nation. I heard they were sold out months ago. How did you get them?”
I was wondering when she was going to bring it up. I shrug and make light of it. “I have connections.”
She nods. “I’m really looking forward to seeing them.”
“Good.”
I pass her a glass of champagne, and she sips it and glances out the window as we drive to Studio 12 Cocktail Bar. When we arrive, the limo pulls up in front, and the driver rolls down the window. I lean forward and give him instructions, then exit the vehicle. I stand on the sidewalk and hold my hand out to Kennedy as she slides out.
“This place looks nice,” she says, then she stills and moans. I can only image the slide from the car kicked the vibrator into motion.
“Cochrane is a very important client,” I somehow manage to say as I think about her tight pussy squeezing the toy.
I make a move to turn, but she places a hand on my chest to stop me. Her eyes narrow. “Sealing this deal means a lot to you, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
She nods. “Then it’s important to me, too.” Her teeth flash in a smile, and she takes a deep breath. “Let’s go win him over.”
As I stand there staring at her, I have no doubt she’ll win Cochrane, as well as every other male in the place, over. Hell, without even trying, she wound herself around my heart. Unease moves through me because suddenly I don’t want to share her with a room full of men. As possessiveness takes hold, my mind races back to this morning, and how close I was to kicking the shit out of the guy hitting on her. But hell, how could I blame him? She’s a beautiful woman with no ring on her finger, which means she’s fair game, right?
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I slide my hand around her waist and guide her inside. The place is bustling, and I search the crowd to find Dawson chatting with Cochrane over a glass of champagne. A waiter walks by, and I grab two glasses of the bubbly stuff from the tray he’s carrying. I hand one to Kennedy, and we clink glasses.
“Let’s do this,” I say. I guide her through the throng, and when we reach Cochrane, his eyes widen when he sees Kennedy on my arm.
“Cochrane, Dawson,” I say, greeting them. “Good to see you both again.” I nod at Dawson. “This is Kitten, my fiancée.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Kennedy says. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Well, well. Where have you been hiding this beautiful woman, and why have I not heard about her before?” Cochrane asks, lighting up as he turns to Kennedy.
“Wasn’t ready to share her,” I say between clenched teeth.
Cochrane takes her hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to the inside of her wrist, and it’s all I can do not to knock his front teeth out.
Kennedy gives a flirtatious laugh as she lets him hold her hand longer than I like. “Aren’t you a charmer,” she says.
“Maybe I could charm you away from my boy, Sean.”
“No such luck,” she says, and moves in close to me. “Sean is the best guy I know.” As she looks up at me with those big blue eyes, my heart misses a beat. Fuck, I’m in trouble.
Cochrane laughs then winks at her. “That’s only because you haven’t gotten to know me yet.” He gives a tug on her hand, urging her away from me. “We have all night to rectify that, now, don’t we?”
I’m happy that Kennedy is hitting it off with Cochrane, but I want to punch the guy in the face for acting like a total fucking douche. Does he think I’m going to let him sleep with my girl for his business? Or maybe he’s testing me somehow? Testing my loyalty and commitment to my fiancée? To him? Fuck that. Honestly, Kennedy shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of bullshit from a dickhole client. I never should have put her in this situation. No account is worth it. I open my mouth, about to drag Kennedy away, but she plants her hand on my chest, hard.
Her eyes lock with mine, and she says, “Why don’t you go get us a real drink.” She presses the champagne glass into my hand and looks back at Cochrane. “Brandy?”
“A woman after my own heart,” Cochrane says.
Kennedy gives me a warning look, and as much as I don’t want to leave her with Cochrane, it’s clear she can take care of herself—and that she’s trying to stop me from fucking this whole thing up.
I step away and walk up to the bar, my glance constantly flipping back to Kennedy. Her smile is bright as she chats with my client. I have to hand it to her, she is impressive, and if it weren’t for her, I’d likely have blown the deal. I gesture for the bartender, who is run off his feet, and wait forever for the drinks to come. As the minutes tick by, I grab a stool and plant myself on it. A woman sidles up beside me and gives me a once over.
“Here on business?” she asks as she takes in my suit.
/> Her hand goes to my tie to straighten it, even though it’s already straight, and when I feel her put something into my shirt pocket, I look past her shoulder to see Kennedy casting a quick glance my way. Her smile falters for a moment, then it’s back in place as she gives her attention to Cochrane. I have no idea what they’re talking about, but from the intent look on my client’s face I can tell she’s holding his interest, no doubt engaging him in an intelligent conversation.
