“When you may very well be something apart from a publicist, what would you be?”

I blinked. It wasn’t a query I’d anticipated, nor was it one I’d given a lot thought to earlier than. “Nothing. I like my job.”

And I did. Regardless of the frustrations, the breakneck tempo, and the shoppers who made me wish to tear my hair out generally, I thrived below strain. There was no downtime for reflection. There have been solely issues I may remedy and options I may implement.

Individuals may name me a bitch or an ice queen, however there was one unshakeable, plain fact—I used to be one of the best at what I did. Palms down. That was why CEOs, celebrities, and socialites paid me the massive bucks. They didn’t all like me personally, however they revered me and so they wanted me.

So that you prefer to be wanted.

Xavier’s commentary floated to the floor earlier than I brushed it apart. So what?Everyoneliked to be wanted. Those that stated they didn’t have been mendacity.

“Nothing? There’s not a single profession you’d contemplate exterior PR?” He seemed unconvinced. “I name bullshit.”

“Perhaps I’d be a surgeon,” I allowed. It was one other high-pressure, fast-paced profession. I had regular palms and I wasn’t squeamish about blood. Commanding an working room and saving lives may very well be thrilling.

Xavier’s mouth quirked. “Unsurprising.”

“I’ll take that as a praise.” I completed my drink. “Your flip. Reality or dare.”

“Reality.”

Attention-grabbing. I might’ve pegged him as a dare man.

“Related query,” I stated. “When you had to decide on anactualcareer, what would you select?” I used to be genuinely curious. Xavier had by no means expressed an ambition for any kind of job. What made somebody like him tick?

He languished within the shadow of the villa, untouched by the moon or terrace lights, however his eyes sparked at my query.

“One I’m good at,” he stated. “Like?”

A cloud handed over his expression earlier than his smile reappeared. “Like instructing you easy methods to dance. I feel we’ve taken an extended sufficient break.” He pushed off the wall and poured two pictures of whiskey. “Yet another for braveness.Salud.”

His hand brushed mine as he handed me my shot, and a tiny jolt zipped down my backbone.

The whiskey burned clean sufficient to dampen any considerations over my physique’s unusual reactions tonight. “You didn’t reply my query honestly,” I stated.

Heat buzzed over my pores and skin and pooled in my veins. I held my liquor fairly properly, however the drinks werestrong, and I didn’t resist the intoxication as fiercely as I usually did.

It felt good to let my management slip. Just a bit bit.

“I wasn’t mendacity after I stated I might select a profession I’d be good at.” A smile nonetheless performed on the corners of his mouth, however his eyes contained a mushy warning. “I even gave you an instance.”

“Semantics. You don’t play honest.”

“I by no means do.” He got here round behind me. His palms discovered my hips, and my breaths slowed beneath the burden of renewed static. “Let’s do this once more.”

The music modified to one thing sultrier, simpler to observe. Perhaps it was the brand new rhythm. Perhaps it was the alcohol. Or perhaps it was my try and concentrate on anythingexceptXavier that loosened my inhibitions.

No matter it was, it labored. I didn’t hyperfocus on transferring precisely the way in which I ought to, and the ironic outcome was that my actions flowed a lot extra simply.

I wouldn’t win competitions anytime quickly, however I not resembled a malfunctioning robotic, as somebody had so rudely identified earlier.

“Significantly better.” Xavier’s murmur grazed the nape of my neck, eliciting an involuntary shiver of enjoyment. “There is perhaps hope for you but.”

The seeds of a witty reply died on my tongue when he lowered his head so his face got here subsequent to mine. A scrumptious earthy scent seeped into my senses, heightening style, odor, and contact till my mouth watered and I may really feel each beat of his coronary heart in opposition to my again.

I turned my head a fraction of an inch, simply sufficient to fulfill his eyes.

I wanted I hadn’t.

Supply: www.seynovel.com