Venture Forward (10 page)

Paul downed the scotch in an attempt to blunt the raucous laughter of the crowd surrounding them, but it did little to calm the rage simmering in his veins. When he found the jackass who’d written that goddamned book, he’d sue for libel. Fuck looking like Tom Cruise.

AVERY LET OUT A
breathless giggle. “I really need to take a break. My feet are killing me. I’ll be back in a few, okay?”

Mia held up her glass. “You better leave some of that vodka for me!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll stick with the Jack.” Thank God for the VIP elevator. A few more wobbly steps to the table, and she promptly collapsed onto the luxurious couch. She’d never in a million years sport a pair of flats, but Lord, it was tempting to kick off her shoes. Maybe after another drink. The pain might miraculously morph into numbness.

The cocktail waitress handed her another Jack and Diet Coke, and she let out a deep sigh, body vibrating in time to the music. Mmm, there were so many things she’d love to do with a certain someone on that buttery soft leather. And what exactly did that brilliant plan entail? Maybe she could wander into his building unannounced with the hope of running into him, or arrange for some bullshit meeting with Mia. Ugh, but what about the book? Just another teeny-tiny dirty little detail to consider. What was she thinking? Swooning over Paul Emerson was ridiculous. It simply wasn’t happening, no matter how badly she wanted him. Taking a long pull on the cocktail, she squinted into the darkness. What the hell—

Her heart thundered against her ribcage at the sight. Kevin Albright and his buddies gathered at a nearby table, laughing loudly with a group of admiring young girls, each more stunning than the last.

Shit, they were too close, and she had no desire to be spotted alone. Heart pounding, her eyes darted around the darkened lounge, desperately targeting the nearest exit. One of Kevin’s fan girls squealed and pressed her body into him. What a scumbag. Another quick peek confirmed he was otherwise occupied. It was now or never.

Head down, she slinked toward the elevator doors, clenching and unclenching her fists. The last thing she wanted was—

“Hey, watch out!”

Her head snapped to attention just in time to collide with a passing waitress. A metal tray carrying several tall crystal glasses crashed to the floor, but not before one launched directly at her skintight mini-dress. Fuck, that was cold! Icy droplets of clear liquid clung to her bare arms and legs, but, aside from the mortified waitress, nobody seemed to notice. Fabulous. Disaster averted.

“Avery?”

Almost…

She bit the inside of her mouth to prevent harsh expletives from tumbling forth and slowly turned. “Kevin.” Nope, there were definitely no lingering feelings of anything other than disgust. Seeing him made the deep-rooted anger rocket to the surface, exposing the agonizing wounds of rejection — from her father, her mother, then Kevin, who’d sworn never to hurt her. What a fucking lie. She had nobody but herself to blame.
Slap me once…

“You look good.” He flashed an appraising glance. No shame at all. Clearly, no shred of intellect, either. Did he think she was going to melt into a puddle at his Prada-loafered feet? “I heard about Ally. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“I just wanted to say hello. Thought maybe we could catch up, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

He had some nerve acting like they were old friends
after he’d cheated and declared open season for the press. “Don’t flatter yourself. And to be clear, I have no interest in exchanging bullshit pleasantries.”

A stricken look shadowed his handsome face. “I know what I did was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

“Too little, too late.” She turned on her heel.

“You never gave me a chance.”

Avery spun to face him, suddenly woozy from the excess of Jack Daniels. “What?”

“There are no excuses for what I did, but you weren’t interested in anything long-term. I just— I needed more, and you’d checked out early. I couldn’t make you happy. You wouldn’t let me.”

The air felt like it was being squeezed from her chest. Was he right? “Things were rough with your family, and I wanted to be there for you. But you shut me out. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“You have some nerve coming over here after what you did. Trying to blame
me
for not keeping your dick in your pants! Fuck off, Kevin. I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone!”

Kevin nodded, a rueful smile on his face. “I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for, because you
do
need someone. You deserve to be happy, even if you don’t believe it.”

She yanked her arm away and hurried toward the ladies’ lounge, eyes welling with angry tears. Those words stung, but, deep down, she couldn’t deny a thing he’d said. It had been comforting to have him around when everything else in her life crumbled. He’d insulated her from the emotional anguish, and she’d given nothing in return. Dammit, she was a freaking disaster.

“Avery!”

Oh hell, what now?

Mia wobbled over in her heels. “Where have you been? Did you fall asleep or something?”

“Forget it, let’s just go down—”

“Oh my God, is that Kevin over there? Did he corner you?”

“Yeah. He told me he left because he wanted more, and I couldn’t give it to him.”

“Sweetie, the guy’s a total player. You’re better off without him. He’s never going to last with little Miss Oklahoma, or wherever the hell she comes from, either. Don’t let him get to you.”

Her temples throbbed, and pressing her hands to them did nothing to relieve the pressure. “But he’s right. Everything he said was true. I did shut him out, just like I do with every other guy who comes into my life. If that isn’t the freaking buzz kill of the century.”

“Stop. You’re awesome. Now let’s
drink
. It’ll make you feel better.”

“I’m sorry for being such a downer.”

“Relax. The right guy just hasn’t come along, but when you find him, everything will fall into place. You’ll get married, have gorgeous, super-smart babies, and take over the world together.”

“Wow, you can’t hold your liquor at
all
. But I appreciate the pep talk… and confidence about taking over the world. That was a nice touch.”

“Anytime, lady. Good Lord, I’m so hammered. I think I’m seeing things, holy crap, like my
boss
.”

“
What?
It’s too dark in here to see anything. You must be blitzed.”

Mia peered toward a darkened corner of the bar. “It’s definitely him! Weird. He hates places like this. Come on, let’s say hi.”

“I really don’t think—”

“I heard you ran into him the other day at Stanford.” Mia flashed a mischievous smile. “You look super-hot in that dress, and, judging by how red your face is, I’m guessing you want to give him a little taste of what you’re selling.”

“Jesus, Mia!”

“Thought so.” Mia snaked an arm around Avery’s waist and sauntered to Paul. “Hey, there. I didn’t realize this was your scene.”

“Ah, the bachelorette party. I forgot that was tonight.”

Avery absently toyed with her earring as Paul’s eyes skimmed the curves accentuated by her red Herve Leger bandage dress. A slow, sexy smile lifted his lips, his appraising gaze settling on her face. “Let me buy you ladies a drink. What are you having?”

A chill shimmied down her spine. Mmm, he was delicious. What she wouldn’t give to have him plastered on top of her again. Too bad she was such an emotional basket case.
Oh screw it; there wasn’t anything to lose by engaging in a little harmless flirting. “Depends. What are you
having?”

“Whatever you’re willing to try.”

Her insides crackled under the heat of his stare, wondering how it would feel to kiss those lips…

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m off to find the girls.” Mia winked at Avery. “Catch you later.
Maybe.
”

“I hope I’m not taking you away from your fun evening.” Paul picked up his glass and shifted against the bar so he was facing her.

“No, not at all.” Her alcohol-induced haze lifted, the scent of his cologne taunting and teasing her suddenly alert senses. Lord, she wanted to bury her head in his neck, inhaling, tasting, licking… “Um, do you normally come to places like this?” Brilliant segue.

“Not if I can help it. Just catching up with some friends. One of them is going through a bad divorce so…” He shrugged. “…I’m just doing my friend-duty, I guess. And he’s off doing some
healing
.”

Avery laughed. “Good for him.”

“Are you ready for that drink yet?” That sexy grin reappeared, making her knees quiver.

“You never told me what you were having.”

“You’re right. If alcohol is my only option, I’d have to say Macallan.”

“Good choice. I’ll have the same.”

“Is that all?”

She stared up at him through lowered lashes, feeling uncharacteristically brazen in a dress wrapped around her so tightly that the girls were practically jumping out to wave hello. “Can I tell you something?”

“Anything.” His eyes blazed with such intensity. Her mind, again paralyzed by the fantasy that had been on permanent loop for longer than she’d like to admit… their sun-drenched bodies crushed together, slick with sweat, rubbing, grinding, contorting as waves crashed over them…

“I know you’re used to women throwing themselves at you. But I’m not like those other women.”

“Please tell me this is where the whole flexibility thing comes into play.”

She grabbed the bar to steady her now-wobbly knees. Hearing his gravelly voice utter innuendoes that inspired such X-rated thoughts was enough to make her melt into her Louboutins. Alcohol-tinged lust flooded her body with warmth as her mind struggled to maintain some modicum of control.
Stop staring at his mouth… ignore that tingling… it always leads to a dead-end. Run, just run!
“Look, this whole thing between us? It’s not happening. I’m not going home with you, not going to spontaneously combust if you wink at me. So if you’d like to talk business or art or music or… s
urfing
, then great. If not, I think we’re done here.” Ice-blue eyes pierced the depths of her soul, making her body sing an entirely different tune than her mouth.

He handed her a highball glass, a sly smile playing at his lips. “You want to talk about surfing.”

“So long as you don’t pass judgment.”

“We all have bad days although yours was a little worse than what I’d consider normal.”

Amber liquid burned a fierce path to her belly. “This is good. Strong,” she choked.

“Smooth.”

That smoldering gaze made the little hairs on her neck stand on end. Hell, she’d like to have him more than just look at her, but there was no way. Her romantic encounters equated to certain disaster, and this was Paul Emerson. The last thing she needed was to get involved with someone like him. It was too big of a risk, and she couldn’t handle more rejection, no matter what everyone thought she needed. He was definitely
not
the guy.

“When did you start surfing?”

Avery furrowed her brow. “Seriously?”

“Well, yeah. You’re clearly immune to my charms, and if I want to keep you standing there, it has to be according to your rules. So I choose surfing.”

“You think you’re charming?”

“I think I do okay.”

“You are really something else.”

“That’s what I hear.”

“Relentless.” She snickered. “I started surfing a few years ago. I always loved the beach. The water was my escape, so I figured I should take up a hobby that would give me an outlet. It’s very therapeutic.”

“What are you escaping from?”

“Ah, that wasn’t one of the approved discussion topics.”

“Touché. How did you get into the record business? All accounts state that you were a gifted engineer. What gives?”

She’d wanted to be an engineer for as long as she could remember, but all the promising opportunities that poured in after graduation had gone up in smoke. Tara’s lymphoma returned and Avery’s life had been altered forever. Just like that. She’d returned home, and once CrowdRok turned into a viable business, it had become her new career. That meant giving up the dream of running an engineering think tank.