“Our chance to make fools out of ourselves and endure complete and utter humiliation is passing us by.”
Why? Why does it have to sound so sexy?
“Fine.” I grind my teeth. My jaw relaxes when Philippe’s hand curls around mine and leads me towards the dance floor.
It’s pretty full already, so it means we have to stay in our own little space. Which I’m good with. I was never a great dancer, and I’m more likely to stomp all over his feet than Philippe would be even if he were trying to punish me.
One big hand settles on the small of my back while the other wraps around my shoulders. I don’t so much lean in as I melt against the granite wall in front of me. I reach up and tangle my arms at Philippe’s neck. I brush my fingertips against the coiled muscle there as we begin to sway. His hair tickles my knuckles.
I can’t even hear the music. I’m not sure we’re swaying in time to anything, but this feels so good. So. Freaking. Right. This is hands down the best dance I’ve ever had in my life, even if we’re basically just standing here. Philippe is warm, and I’m pressed up tight against his chest, so tight that I can feel every shift in his abs as we rock from side to side.
“Stay.” His husky voice flows over the sweet spot of my neck, right below my ear. “Stay the night.”
My lips clamp shut. It’s not a matter of should. At the moment, I actually couldn’t care less about what I should or shouldn’t do. Lately, Philippe seems to have that effect on my better judgment. It’s like I’ve been walking around drunk on him for over a week. Eventually, a lot of alcohol usually culminates in bad decisions.
“I can’t. Granny’s expecting me home.”
“Call.”
“It’s late. She doesn’t have a cell.”
“There is an answering machine. I left a message about your sizes for the dress. Leave a message. She’ll get it in the morning before she even has time to worry.”
“You’re my boss,” I groan. “I can’t. It’s not right.”
“I’m not your boss tonight.”
“You’re always my boss.”
“Don’t say things that can and will be used against you.”
My lips twitch. My left eye twitches. My clit twitches. “Just for tonight, you get a free pass on snarky remarks.”
“Stay. Please.”
“You said the magic word. Did it hurt?”
“Like I swallowed bits of broken glasses.”
A couple near us nearly runs us over, but Philippe deftly steers us away, all while not even really looking, because his face is still nestled at the crook of my neck. His hands are burning through me, scalding me straight to the core.
“Stay. Please. We don’t have to do anything. I’ll sleep on the floor if you want.”
“What’s the point of that then?”
His nose nuzzles against my cheek, and my heart nearly leaps from my chest. I’ve had boyfriends before, done the usual things girls do with their boyfriends, but I’ve never had anyone touch me as intimately as this. All without touching any of the usual erotic culprits. No. All it takes is a nose and my earlobe to set me off. I don’t know if it’s pathetic on my part or if it’s actually kind of sexy. Okay, it’s sexy. I know it’s sexy. I just don’t know if I should let myself know it.
Suddenly, Philippe tenses. I can feel the shift in his neck muscles, in his shoulders, in his abs, in his legs. Why shouldn’t I stay the night? All of me is already pressed up against all of him. “Stay. Because the truth is, I’m lonely.”
I want to crank my head up, but I’m scared I’d crunch his nose or hit him in the mouth. Is he drunk? He must be, even though I only saw him drink a couple of sips of wine all night. Philippe Wilson doesn’t get lonely. Philippe Wilson isn’t human. Philippe Wilson is my boss. Philippe Wilson could buy whatever company he wants, and no, I don’t mean it that way. It’s just that any woman would be happy to date him. He might not be overly nice, but he’s beautiful, and he’s rich, and as far as I know, that’s enough for a ton of people.
I know it’s extremely unkind of me to think that. I know it is. I’m just trying to be mean so that I can quell the feelings pumping through me. The problem is, I’m not naturally mean. I hate myself for thinking things like that. And I can’t just shut off my attraction for Philippe. Not just attraction, but I’m starting to find I genuinely actually like him when he’s not being a tyrant d-bag.
“There’s nothing like watching two people who are in love to make you realize you’re terribly, utterly, and entirely alone.”