Chapter 14: Addictive Pleasure

Claire perked up instantly, her eyes locking onto his.

She let her mouth curve into a slow smile, reaching up to loop an arm loosely around his neck. "Hey, handsome.

What brings you out tonight?"

Julian Ashford arched a brow, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. "Mind if I buy you a few drinks?"

Claire gave him a sidelong glance, all confidence.

"Sure."

She hooked her arm through his, red lips curved into something inviting, and the two of them settled onto the sofa together.

The club was packed every booth full, the dance floor a sea of bodies moving in time with the DJ's set. The whole place buzzed with restless energy.

Most people came to places like this looking for a little noise to drown out whatever they were carrying. Claire was no exception tonight.

She matched Julian drink for drink as the music rolled through the room, her cheeks warming, her eyes bright with the pleasant looseness of a good buzz nothing more.

"I'm Claire. And you?"

Julian smirked, all wicked charm. "Julian."

"Julian. Let's dance."

She slid her arms around his neck, leaning in close enough that her breath brushed his jaw.

He caught her waist with an easy laugh. "Okay."

They moved out onto the floor together, Claire losing herself in the rhythm, her body moving with the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly the effect she had.

Julian stayed close behind her, his hands settling at her waist, keeping pace with her, his sharp eyes never leaving her.

She could feel the heat coming off him, and her pulse picked up despite herself.

She'd had enough to feel warm and loose, pleasantly relaxed, sharp enough to know exactly what she wanted and exactly who she wanted it from.

She leaned back against him for a moment, savoring the closeness, very aware of every point where they touched.

Turning in his arms, she looked up at him with a teasing, deliberate smile. "Julian. What are you thinking right now?"

The composed, untouchable version of herself had slipped away for the moment, replaced by something warmer, more playful.

Julian looked down at her, taking in the flush in her cheeks, the interest clear in her eyes.

He leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and full of mischief. "What do you think I'm thinking?"

Claire smiled and nodded, deciding for herself exactly where this was going.

Her voice came out warm, a little rough around the edges from the alcohol, unmistakably sure of itself.

She let herself lean into him, fingers curling into the front of his shirt, holding on with clear intention rather than need.

He smelled incredible clean, sharp, expensive. She breathed it in, entirely pleased with herself for finding him.

Julian smiled down at her, then took her hand, leading her off the dance floor and out of the club entirely, Claire following without hesitation.

They ended up back at his place, Claire sinking into the soft cushions of his sofa, looking up at him with clear, steady eyes despite the warm buzz still humming through her.

His gaze had darkened, something intense and focused behind it now.

Claire's breath caught, her heart picking up speed. She reached up and pulled him down toward her herself.

"Took you long enough," she murmured against his mouth.

His voice was low, amused. "Patience isn't really my strong suit."

He leaned into her, his mouth finding hers, and the kiss he gave her was intense from the very first second deliberate, commanding, entirely different from anything before it.

Julian kissed like he had nothing to prove and everything to enjoy slower than Lucas, more teasing, but no less consuming.

Where Lucas kissed like a storm wild, demanding, impossible to keep up with Julian kissed like he had all the time in the world, and somehow that pulled her under just as fast.

Commanding, but patient with it. Wicked, but unhurried.

Claire gave herself over to it completely, matching him kiss for kiss, feeling something dangerously close to delight sparking through her.

This is trouble, she thought, smiling against his mouth.

Whatever this man was offering, she had a feeling she was going to want more of it.