Arrogant Boss

Denise and I shot each other confused glances. “What’s Viper?”

“Some new app.” She waved her hand dismissively. “That’s not important. Who is in attendance, however, is. Some of the hottest names in tech are here. Rafe Christensen, Danny Stephens, and of course… Julian Hunt.”

“Hunt is here?”

“I swear I just saw him.”

“It wasn’t confirmed if he would attend or not.”

The three of them craned their necks, trying to see across the club to the VIP section. Even from this distance, I could see the polished suits, the flowing bottles of champagne.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Denise sidled closer to me. “That’s where we should be.”

I snorted. “Right. Doing what? We know nothing about tech.”

“Which is why they would love us! They’d find it refreshing.”

“Aren’t you dating that blogger?”

“No, that was ages ago! You have to keep up.”

I grinned. “I can’t. “You’re impossible, Denise.”

“Come on, girls,” the blonde declared. “Let’s dance.” I grabbed my half-finished daiquiri and joined them on the dance floor.

Nearly an hour later, I was done. I was so, so, so done.

I could party with the best of them. But the business meeting for my brother’s potential contract was at ten o’clock the following day, and despite my promise to Denise, there was nothing more important.

I grabbed Denise and gave her a quick hug.

“I have to go,” I spoke into her curly red hair, hoping she could hear me over the pounding bass. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you for coming. Good luck tomorrow! Tell Turner I’ll be thinking of him.”

“I will.” I grinned at her. “Don’t go too crazy tonight.”

She gave me an innocent little smirk. “Who, me?”

I shook my head at her in mock disapproval. If there was someone who could handle herself, it was Denise. Party until five and then up at nine for work, and do a damn good job as well. It was very unfair, but she’d always been like that. Too much energy for one person to contain.

I made my way through writhing bodies, my clutch tucked tight under my arm and the last of my daiquiri in my hand. I needed to find a place to leave the glass.

Too many people. Too loud music.

An arm wound its way around my waist and I twisted away. A man leered at me, a drink glued to his hand as his other reached for me.

“Dance with me, sugar.”

I frowned. “Definitely, not.”

This, too, reminded me why I didn’t go out too often. Denise kept pushing me to go out with more men, and while I agreed that my semi-celibate status wasn’t exactly enjoyable, you don’t find your soulmate in a club.

I was by the exit when it happened.

I heard a snap, and then I was airborne and tumbling. My hands reached out to try to steady myself and I fell straight into a passing stranger.

A strong arm reacted but it was too late, and I hit the club floor with a crash.

Embarrassment flooded through me and I scrambled onto smarting knees.

“Are you alright?”

I pushed my hair back and looked up to find the owner of that deep, rumbling voice.

Cheekbones. Expensive suit. A concerned expression.

No no no. I recognized this man.

“I’m fine!”

He reached down and strong arms fitted themselves under my shoulders. I’m lifted to my feet like a child, only to find that I can’t stand properly. He frowned and looked down.

I followed his gaze. “Oh. My heel broke.”

“Occupational hazard.” His voice was smooth, polished. Dark. I cleared my throat and slipped out of my pumps. Barefoot, I only just reached his chin.

Julian Hunt. Of all the men in the world, why did I have to trip into him?

My eyes traced down the long column of his throat, his white shirt, the top button undone to expose just a hint of tan skin, a giant pink stain on his shirt…

I clasped my hand to my mouth. “Oh my God. I am so sorry, that was my drink, wasn’t it?”

Julian Hunt looked down. “I think so. Strawberry daiquiri, was it?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry.” My cheeks were on fire. “I’ll pay for the dry-cleaning.”

He smiled-actually smiled at that. “Certainly not. I’m just happy you weren’t injured in the fall.”

I blinked. “No. No, I wasn’t injured. I… where is my bag?”

We both looked at the dark club floor in silence. We were by the exit, so there was more light, but still not enough. I was also looking at it far closer than I would have liked, being barefoot on this disgusting surface.

Julian found it first, grabbing the navy clutch hidden along the dark baseboard. “This it?”

“Yes. Thank you again.”

“Anytime.” He cocked his head. “Did you have a good time tonight?”