Come Together (Club Silken #3) - Jerrie Alexander Page 0,1
stop looking.
Judging from the low buzz of voices and the sound of music, Taylor Horne’s welcome home pool party is in full swing. The main thing I remember about him is he’s gorgeous. Well, he was the last time I saw him.
Unsure of how many people I’ll know, I make the rounds saying hello, then locate and hug Kayla, who’s walking toward the back patio.
“Grab a drink and join us at the pool,” she says before disappearing in the crowd.
I find an opening and spot Morgan and Zack. She waves and then points to an empty deck chair next to her.
I wiggle my fingers at her and start walking to the bar. I plan to lean back, relax, and watch the festivities.
Suddenly a hand catches my arm and turns me around. My sandals slip on the marble floor and I lose my balance, but I don’t fall. Instead, I’m wrapped in the arms of the traveler himself.
“You weren’t going to say hello?”
I look up into the piercing blue eyes I’d recognize anywhere. Eyes impossible to forget, since I’ve used his image while pleasuring myself many times in the past. I untangle myself from the guest of honor’s arms and step back to see if he’s still as hot as I remember. My heart flutters and my body tingles. Hoping I’m not drooling, I pull my mind out of the bedroom.
“Do you usually knock down people just to get a hello?”
“You slipped and I saved you.” Taylor smiles, showing off perfectly formed lips, the kind you can sink into and lose yourself. “Don’t I get credit for that?”
“Thank you and welcome home.” I return his grin, thinking he’s changed, and in a very good way. He looks different, but the same. A newfound maturity in his eyes sets my heart thumping against my chest.
“Chelsea…” he says as he steers me away from the pool. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know your last name.”
“Coffman.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Chelsea Coffman.”
“Most people call me Chels.”
“Chelsea is a better name for such a beautiful woman.”
I roll my eyes but love that he’s so obviously flirting. “Please.”
“That was bad, wasn’t it?”
“The worst.”
“Let me make it up to you. I’ll buy you a drink. ”
I can’t help myself as I smile up at him. “Gracious of you, since it’s an open bar.” God, he smells good. It’s a faint scent and I want to lean into him a little. “How was your trip through Europe?”
“Amazing. Enlightening. Learning about different cultures was great. The beaches were beautiful, and the cities were full of things to see and do. Have you been?”
I shake my head. “My travel experience is limited to Hawaii, but I’d love to tour Europe someday.”
“I met a lot of interesting people, but I think it would’ve been more fun if I’d had someone with me.” He’s looking down at me with a sexy smile.
He can’t know I want to run my fingers over every inch of his body or that my panties are getting damp just standing this close to him. Can he? I gather myself and pretend he doesn’t set my lady parts on fire.
“I understand you’re going to work for Zack Pierce. When do you start?”
“Monday. He’s given me a few accounts to look over in my spare time. I’ll need a break from all that reading, though. May I call you, maybe take you to dinner?”
“I’d like that.”
We exchange phone numbers while we wait in line at the bar. I ignore the urge to smirk at a couple of women raking their gazes over him. Taylor’s year touring Europe has earned him a tan, as well as sandy, sun-bleached hair, which is longer than I remember. It’s tousled, as if he just got out of bed. With his chiseled jaw, straight nose, and height, he’d make a great model. He’s wearing board shorts, sandals, and a blue T-shirt, and it’s clear his body is muscular. His eyes make me feel as if he can read my thoughts.
His gaze drops to my chest, then back up. “This is a pool party. Are you wearing your bathing suit under your dress?”
“No, and I didn’t bring one. I’m more of an observer.” Looking around, I wish I’d at least worn shorts.
“That’s a shame.”
His comment dies because it’s our turn to order drinks. I get a glass of red wine and Taylor chooses a Coors.
“Where were you headed when I almost knocked you down?”
“So, you admit it.”
“I got your attention, didn’t I? Now, where were