Chapter 3

Jordan

Holy fucking shit.

The moment she walked through those doors, everything else in the room faded to background noise. Sophia Bennett in that burgundy dress was like something out of my dirtiest fantasies: curves that could make a saint sin, skin that begged to be touched, and those breasts... perfect handfuls that the plunging neckline showcased just enough to drive a man insane.

I'd seen her at events before, always from a distance, always on Nathan's arm. But tonight? Tonight she was a goddamn revelation.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered, watching her glide across the room. The way that dress hugged her ass should be illegal.

I sipped my champagne, trying to look casual while my cock had other ideas. Nathan Carter was a lucky bastard, but from what I'd heard through industry whispers, he didn't deserve her. The guy had a reputation for keeping his options open despite having Sophia waiting at home.

Fucking idiot.

If she were mine, I wouldn't let her out of bed long enough to attend parties like this.

My buddies, Adriel and George, flanked me, nursing their own drinks.

"Yo, who's that chick with Nathan?" Adriel nudged me, pointing across the room. "Never seen her before. Is she new or something?"

I tore my eyes away from Sophia to where Nathan stood, getting cozy with some woman. They were laughing, standing too close for professional interaction.

George chimed in, "Oh, that's his new assistant. Olivia, I think? Smokin' hot, right?"

"Damn straight," Adriel whistled low. "Lucky bastard, surrounded by all these babes."

I rolled my eyes. "You guys are ridiculous."

George wasn't done. He jerked his chin towards Sophia. "Check out Nathan's girlfriend over there. Now that's a piece of-"

"Dude," I cut him off, frowning. "Show some respect."

But Adriel was already ogling. "Holy shit, you're right. What a knockout. How'd a guy like Nathan land her?"

"Money talks, my friend," George laughed, taking another swig of his drink.

I almost snorted. If it was about money, Sophia wouldn't be with Nathan. My net worth made his look like pocket change. But I kept that to myself, watching as she chatted with some older woman who seemed to be pissing her off based on the tight smile on her face.

"Jordan," Adriel's voice snapped me back. "You okay there, buddy? You're staring."

I blinked, realizing I'd been gawking like a teenager. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Just... appreciating the view."

George chuckled. "Appreciating? More like undressing with your eyes. Not that I blame you."

My face heated up. "Shut up, man. It's not like that."

But it was exactly like that. I was imagining peeling that dress off her, spreading her legs, and burying my face between her thighs until she screamed my name.

"Sure, sure," Adriel teased. "Keep telling yourself that, Romeo."

I downed the rest of my champagne. "I need another drink. You guys want anything?"

They waved me off, already onto some new topic. I made my way to the bar, trying to shake the images of Sophia naked and writhing beneath me.

As I waited for my drink, I saw her excuse herself from her conversation and disappear down a hallway. Interesting.

When she returned about fifteen minutes later, her lipstick was freshly applied and her hair slightly mussed.

I felt a surge of jealousy so intense it surprised me. I'd never even spoken to the woman, for Christ's sake. Yet here I was, gripping my glass so tight I was afraid it might shatter, imagining all the ways I could fuck her better than Nathan ever could.

Our eyes met across the room. She held my gaze for a moment, and I swear to god, something electric passed between us. My cock hardened instantly, pressing uncomfortably against my zipper. I gave her the slightest smile, watching as her cheeks flushed before she looked away.

Fuck me. That was hot.

My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. It was a message from Elena.

Elena: Hey, where are you?

I'd almost forgotten about her—supermodel Elena, with legs for days and a smile that could melt glaciers. How the hell did I forget about her?

Me: At Nathan's party.

Elena: Oh, right! Do you remember our first coffee date tomorrow?

Shit. That had slipped my mind, too.

Me: Of course I do.

Elena: Great! So excited for it.

Me: Yeah. By the way, have you ever thought about jumping straight into bed after that coffee? You know, skipping all the small talk and getting to the good stuff?

Elena: Jordan, you're always so direct! Let's grab coffee first and see where it leads.

Me: Alright. But make sure you get ready sexily for me. You know how I like it.

Elena: Oh, I'll dress beautifully for you.

Me: So, what are you wearing right now?

Elena: Wouldn't you like to know?

Me: Yeah, I would. Tell me every detail.

There was a pause before her response came.

Elena: Jeans and a t-shirt.

I chuckled. Classic Elena, always playing it cool.

Me: And underneath?

Elena: Only panties. No bra.

The visual hit me like a freight train, but my eyes drifted back to Sophia. She was now with two friends, a man, and a woman, laughing at something. But her eyes kept darting across the room to where Nathan stood with his "assistant." Interesting.

Me: You know I want to fuck you right now, right?

Elena: Let's see where our date takes us tomorrow.

Me: Fair enough.

I inhaled deeply, attempting to concentrate on Elena, my casual date, rather than the woman across the room who had entirely captivated my interest.

Pocketing my phone, I looked for Sophia again. She was watching Nathan, and the expression on her face made my chest tighten. She looked... hurt. Suspicious.

Had she noticed what I had? That Nathan couldn't keep his hands to himself even at his own fucking party?

"Yo, Jordan!" Adriel's voice cut through my thoughts as he and George appeared beside me. "What's got you so distracted, man?"

I blinked, caught staring again. "Nothing, just... people-watching."

George smirked. "People-watching, my ass. You've been eyeing Sophia like a starving man at a buffet."

"I have not!" I protested, feeling my face heat up.

"Dude, you're about as subtle as a sledgehammer," Adriel said. "Why don't you just go talk to her?"

I rolled my eyes. "And say what, exactly?"

George's face lit up. "You're a film producer, man. Tell her you want to cast her in your next movie!"

"That's... actually not a terrible idea," Adriel agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

I shook my head, chuckling. "Some other time, guys. I'm not about to crash and burn in front of everyone here."

"Chicken," Adriel muttered, grinning.

"Bawk bawk," George added, flapping his arms like wings.

"Real mature, fellas." These idiots were my best friends for a reason.

We continued drinking, the buzz of alcohol making everything funnier than it was. But my eyes kept finding Sophia.

She was back to watching Nathan now, who had his hand on his assistant's lower back. I saw Sophia's expression harden, then smooth over into a practiced smile when someone approached her.

I wanted to go to her. To introduce myself. To tell her she deserved better than a guy who couldn't keep his dick in his pants.

But who the fuck was I to talk?

And when Sophia looked my way again, I couldn't help but raise my glass in a small toast. She blushed, the color spreading down her neck to her chest, and I wondered how far that blush went. Did it reach her nipples? Her stomach? Lower?

Fuck, I was getting hard again just thinking about it.

I excused myself from my friends and headed to the bathroom to get myself under control. This was ridiculous. I was Jordan fucking Pierce. I didn't get worked up over women I hadn't even met.

But as I splashed cold water on my face, all I could think about was Sophia Bennett in that burgundy dress and how badly I wanted to tear it off her.

I needed to meet her. Talk to her. Find out if the connection I felt was real or just in my head.

And if it was real? Well, Nathan Carter better watch his back.

Because I always got what I wanted. And right now, I wanted Sophia Bennett more than I'd ever wanted anyone.