Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,30
I saw Joslyn earlier and you weren’t with her, I became concerned. But you’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
She smiled hesitantly. “Thomas, why are you acting this way?”
He straightened, realizing he was the one being clingy now. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You’re just... different.” She motioned to the patio’s railing. “Why were you by yourself?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t having any fun.”
“Really? Is it because you’re not drunk yet?”
“Ha, ha... very funny. But I promised you I wouldn’t drink, so I haven’t.”
Her smile softened. “Thank you.”
He finally took a moment to look her over. She had curled her hair because it waved over her shoulders and down her back. She wore a silky red, sleeveless blouse that buttoned down the front, but it was short-waisted. Her snug-fitting, long black skirt rode low on her hips, which showed a little skin around her waist. The slit up the side of the skirt to just above her knee gave him glimpses of her shapely leg. Instead of heels, she wore black fashion boots. Her style was different from the other women at the party, but he certainly enjoyed the refreshing change.
“You look hot,” he said, and then quickly berated himself for blurting out his thoughts. “I mean, you look really nice tonight.”
She blurted out a laugh. “Hot? Seriously, Powers? I think you’re blind. I’m not dressed like anyone else at this event.”
He stepped closer and slid his fingers down her arm in a soft caress. “Maybe that’s why I think you’re hot.”
She playfully slugged his shoulder. “Knock it off, Powers. You know I’m not like any of your bimbos that you go out with.”
He nodded. “And that’s another thing I like about you.”
She took an unsteady breath and turned to look at the people slowly crowding the patio. “You said you saw Joslyn? I can’t see her.”
“Yes, I saw her earlier.”
She peeked at him from over her shoulder. “And she’s not clinging to your arm? Imagine that.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, come now, Powers. You can’t tell me that you haven’t noticed how much she likes you.”
“I’ve noticed.” He shrugged. “But I don’t return her feelings.”
“Don’t let her know that. It’ll break her heart.”
Morgan moved to the railing and leaned back against it, resting her elbows on the edge. “Tell me, Powers, what do people do at your parties that they find so exciting, because... I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this party looks boring.”
He released a loud laugh and leaned on the railing. Her profile was beautiful. Did she even know how he lost his breath just staring at her? “Boring? In the other room there we have food and drinks, and music too. In these types of parties people like to hook up.”
“Hook up?” She turned her head and glanced at him. “Are you going to hook me up with one of your friends?”
“No.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“I don’t like to share.”
Chuckling, she shook her head. “I’m not yours, Powers, and I never will be.”
He grinned. She didn’t know him very well, because he’d only lost one woman to another man, and he vowed that wouldn’t happen again.
“Do you care to make a wager on that?” He caressed her arm.
Her expression changed, and she narrowed her gaze on him. But he noticed the playfulness in her mesmerizing eyes.
“No.”
“Why not?” he asked, moving closer. “Are you afraid you’ll lose?”
“No, I’m afraid you’ll lose, and from what I know about you Powers, you aren’t a man who enjoys losing.”
He grinned wider. “That sounds like a challenge to me.”
“It’s not. I just don’t find you... interesting.”
He widened his eyes. “You don’t?”
“Not in the least, especially, if you think this party is fun.”
Ooohhh... Nobody talked to him like that. He was determined to prove her wrong.
Slipping an arm around her waist, he pulled her away from the railing. “Come, my dear Morgan. I’ll show you what you’re looking for. I promise you that by the time you leave to go home, you’ll see me in a different light, too.”
ELEVEN
Morgan’s heart hammered as her traitorous legs moved in the same direction Thomas headed. Did she want him to take her away? Her mind screamed no, but her heart... That fickle organ wondered what it would be like to capture his heart.
“Where’s the fire?”
Morgan stumbled to a halt along with Thomas as she looked at the man who’d stopped them. The man in his late-thirties looked familiar, but she couldn’t put a name to him yet. However,