His Off Limits Best Friend - Vivian Wood Page 0,28

breath, unaware that she’d been holding it.

Liam was holding up Connor’s fist, which was covered in blood. Chase and Jay went nuts beside her, whooping Connor’s name, but she couldn’t find the strength to do more than lower her hands away from her face. Connor and his opponent hugged briefly and patted each other’s back as they exited.

Connor bounded out of the cage and jogged over to them. She noticed every girl he passed followed him lustfully with her eyes.

“Good work, man,” Chase said, and pounded Connor’s back.

“Wasn’t nothing,” Connor said, his breath already returned to normal.

Sam looked at him, inches away. Covered in a sheen of sweat and patches of already-dried blood, she saw another side of him. A rawer side, the one few people knew. As they made eye contact, she licked her lips, thirsty.

Connor’s gaze moved to her lips. The kiss was inevitable. But when she tasted him, the salty, coppery blend, it turned her on even more. When his tongue flicked against hers, she felt wetness start to spread between her legs and let out a moan into his mouth.

She felt his hand on her waist as he pulled her close. His other hand was in her hair, and he pulled tight.

Jay cleared his throat and laughed awkwardly. “You guys want to get a room?” he asked.

Sam broke away from the embrace, flushed and her breath heavy. She knew she should be embarrassed, apologize to Jay, but she just couldn’t stop herself. Connor looked so intense up there, and during the fight, in her deepest thoughts, all she’d wanted was to be the focus of that intensity. Is that normal?

Someone called Connor’s name in the distance and he looked away from her. The spell was broken. What in God’s name are you thinking?

It wasn’t that big of a deal to kiss him in front of his friends. Besides, they’d kissed before, at that club. But that was different. And it didn’t feel like this.

Still, it was to be expected that they kiss in public. Otherwise, how were they going to sell this whole thing? Stop making excuses and rationalizing it to yourself. You know you didn’t kiss him as part of your job.

A blonde who barely fit into her dress sidled up next to Connor. “Oh my God, you were amazing! Amazing!” she said.

He laughed. “Thanks, Tiffany,” he said, and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

Sam stiffened and picked up her drink. Right. You have good reason to steer clear of him. Not only did his friends spend two hours talking smack about his ex to you, but you swore you’d stay professional—to him and yourself.

The blonde gushed all over him, and she had to admit Connor gave some effort to ward off her affections. But he didn’t introduce her to Sam. Instead, he tried to hand her off to Jay. “Have you met my buddy, Jay?” he asked Tiffany. “Ex-SEAL, too. I’m sure you’ll see him in there next.”

Tiffany glanced at Jay and considered. She was easy to read. But Tiffany had eyes only for Connor, that was evident.

Sam slipped away while Jay ogled Tiffany and Chase went back to the bar for another drink. Connor didn’t even see her go. She looked back once, and saw the blonde feel up Connor’s muscles.

She was already halfway home in an Uber when he texted her. Where are you?

Sam considered not replying, but knew that was childish. Omw home. Tired, had to go, she replied. She wanted, so badly, to say something snarky about him letting the blonde flirt with him, but stopped herself.

Ok. You mad? I just kissed you because of the fight, u know. Adrenaline gets me going, can’t help it.

It’s okay, she replied. Probably good for the show, she added.

I would’ve kissed anyone, he replied. You just happened to be there.

She slammed the phone onto the seat. You’re such a fucking fool, she thought.

“You alright back there?” the Uber driver asked, a young girl probably in college.

“Yeah. Just so you know, men suck. And they continue to suck way after college.”

“That’s why I’m gay,” the driver said.

“Oh.”

“I’m just kidding. I mean, about the reason why I’m gay. But trust me, women are just as batshit crazy.”

“So there’s no hope then,” Sam said as the car pulled into her driveway.

13

Connor

“James, it’s been thirty minutes. You’re telling me you can’t find my father?” he asked him.

James shifted nervously in front of Connor’s desk. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ve been trying—”

“Nobody’s paying you to try, James,” Connor