I had never been a leg man but fuck if I didn't want to have these legs wrapped around me. Waist, shoulder, neck, it didn't matter. As long as I was in between them nothing mattered.

As soon as Ethan left with his shiny stress ball in hand, I looked up at Evelyn while my fingers traced the expanse of her smooth leg. Her face had gone rosy red and her eyes were hooded with desire.

Desire for me.

It was enough to get my heartbeats racing and blood rushing down south. I looked at her leg again, my hand unconsciously squeezing her calf as I imagined myself spreading these perfect legs apart and burying my face in between them while her gloriously thick thighs held me in a deadlock. Fuck.

This was bad. This was very bad. With great difficulty, I shifted my gaze from her leg to her face only to lose my breath. Evelyn was staring down at me, her mouth slightly ajar and her breaths coming out in pants. My eyes zeroed in on her plush lips that looked extremely inviting from the way she had been running her tongue over them and my mind spiraled into a completely different fantasy. Fuck!

Would it be so bad if I tried to kiss her? Yes. Did I still want to kiss her? Hell yes.

The real question was would she let me kiss her? Something about the way she was looking at me told me that she would. Hell, at this point it could go way, way beyond just a simple kiss but what about after it? I didn't want to tangle the already messy knots of my relationship with Evelyn. Not after the project where we had to be in each other's vicinity constantly.

But fuck it was tempting. So damn tempting to forget that if the both of us weren't under this haze driven by lust, we would be biting each other's heads off. And I would most probably get a slap to my face.

"Rosy," I called, my voice thick and gravelly.

Her phone started ringing, the sound echoing in the empty room and breaking whatever spell that had been cast on us. She looked away, pulling her phone out of her pocket and pressing it to her ear.

"Hello," she said, her voice breathy and huskier than usual. "Yeah. Yeah, I got the camera. I'm leaving right now."

Sensing that whatever that was going on between us was over, I stood up as well and took a step back to create some distance between us. "Um... I need to leave."

Evelyn didn't meet my gaze as she practically sprinted to the door, running out in record time. The door shut behind her with a loud bang, snapping me back to reality. I heaved a sigh and ran a hand through my hair a couple of times before shrugging my shirt back on and leaving as well.

When I rounded the corner, I was surprised to see Evelyn a few steps ahead of me. I'd thought she would have bolted out of here like the building was on fire. At least that's what it had looked like when she left the locker room. But there she was.

I halted in my steps, waiting to see what she would do. After the incident in the locker room, I didn't want to increase the awkwardness between us by walking up to her. Lord knows we won't be looking into each other's eyes for at least a few days.

I watched Evelyn square her shoulders and take a deep breath before walking out into the lobby. My gaze followed her as she joined Veena who was standing at the center of the lobby, looking around. The thought of sneaking away while they were busy chatting crossed my mind. I could easily walk along the wall, avoid looking at them, and hope they won't notice.

Yeah, right. Like they wouldn't notice a 6'4 dude trying to stick to the wall like a ninja. My subconscious taunted me.

But all those thoughts flew out the window when I saw a familiar blonde head with them. What the fuck was he doing here?

My feet started to move on their own accord, my jaw clenched tight and my hands balled into fists. As if sensing my presence Miller looked up, his blue eyes meeting mine. And he had the audacity to grin at me instead of backing away. "Griffin!" he called, his grin widening and showing his pearly whites.

The girls turned around at this, Evelyn immediately lowering her gaze, visibly shrinking away. "What are you doing here?" I asked through gritted teeth, focusing on Miller instead of her.

"Doing what a good captain should be doing. Scouting," he said. "Won't you agree Evelyn? I read your article by the way. Great work!"

I gritted my teeth, knowing well that he was doing it deliberately to get under my skin. But I wasn't going to let him get a rise out of me.

"Thank you," Evelyn said meekly, a small smile on her face.

"Of course. Like I said before, I'm always up for it whenever you need my help. You have my number right?" he asked and my jaw slackened.

Why the fuck does she have his number? I don't have her number and we were supposed to be working together.

"Thank you," Evelyn said again, now with a genuine smile on her face. What the fuck is going on?

He then turned to Veena, "You coming with me?"

She shook her head. "Eve and I are going out for dinner."

"Do you want to join?" Evelyn asked him.

I stood there at the side, watching them chat like old friends, completely ignoring me; as if I wasn't even there. I cleared my throat, gaining their attention. "Well then, I hope you put on a good performance tomorrow Miller. I'll make sure to come and do some scouting," I said with a scowl.

He just grinned back at me. "Sure."

With that, I took my leave. The sound of them talking and Evelyn's bubbly laughter whenever Miller cracked some stupid joke followed me until I reached my car. They were only a few steps behind me. I got inside my car and waited for a bit, calming myself down. But my scowl deepened when I saw his car following Evelyn's and my grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Fucking Miller!

***

Sitting at the bar in a club on a Saturday wasn't my ideal way of spending the evening. But here I was, attending an event I had been tricked into believing would be a formal affair. Instead, I was stuck at a preppy "pre-wedding party" which looked only slightly better than a frat party.

Sure, a private section was reserved for this which meant less crowd but it also meant less fun. The only indication that I was sitting in a club was the slight thump of the bass coming from the doors leading out to the general area, open to everyone else.

On top of all that, I had come wearing proper formal attire complete with a tie only to realize everyone else was in casuals. No wonder I was getting side glances now and then. They probably thought I was some uptight douchebag.

Iris: Enjoying the party? ;)

My phone lit up with an incoming message from my cousin who had set me up for this. She must be laughing while sitting in her office, enjoying my misery. Sisters.

Atlas: Don't for a second think that I'm not going to get back at you for this

Atlas: Sleep with an eye open

The three dots appeared immediately at the bottom of the chat and within seconds her reply came through.

Iris: Have fun baby

"Mr. Griffin!" I looked up at the sound of my name to see none other than the host couple walking over toward me. Plastering a smile on my face, I quickly sent 3 middle finger emojis to her before locking my phone and shoving it in my pocket.

"Mr. Martin," I said, standing up. "Congratulations on your wedding."

He waved his hand off. "Please. Call me Jacob. We are almost the same age." Not exactly true but whatever. I nodded, agreeing anyway. "I hope you are enjoying the party," he said.

I discreetly looked around at the almost empty room. People were still filtering in and with the music turned on at the lowest volume, it barely felt like a party. The only good thing was the open bar which had quite a selection. "It's great," I lied.

"It's going to get better. I promise," Melissa, soon-to-be Mrs. Martin as it was written on the sash she was wearing, laughed. "We are so glad you could join us."

"Of course." I smiled. I had met with the Martins only a couple of times. With Iris handling their project, I didn't cross paths with them unless I was looking for Iris for something, and she was with them. Even this invitation was probably for her but she pushed it on me.

"I hope you enjoy," Jacob said before he and his fiancé moved on to meet other guests.

I slumped on the barstool again and ordered a bourbon. If it were up to me, I would be out of here in a heartbeat, but the company's reputation was at stake. As was my reputation with the other board members. The more I was known among the clients, the harder it would be for them to remove me. This company might not have been my dream or passion, but it was my dad's. And nothing was certain in my hockey career. So I would be damned if I let some old farts take the company away from me.

Which meant I had to act the part of the joyous company representative who couldn't dream of being anywhere other than his business associate's crappy party.

Swirling the brown liquid in the glass, I took tiny sips as I watched the room get filled with people. The music was turned up after a while and I slowly started to tap my foot to the beats. Now, it was becoming lively. Or maybe the alcohol was starting to affect me.

I was nursing my third glass of bourbon when my sight fell on a familiar figure approaching the bar, her reddish brown hair impossible to miss in the sea of black and blonde. Evelyn was yet to notice me, clearly occupied with talking to the girl beside her with pink stripes in her hair. My gaze raked down her body, taking in her attire as they came to stand at the bar a few feet away from me.

She was wearing a shimmery black top with a low neckline and the thinnest straps I had ever seen. Her shoulders and collarbones were on full display along with slight cleavage and my mind immediately went down the gutter. The black skirt she had paired it up with fell a little above her mid-thighs, showing off her glorious legs that had been the center of my dreams for the most part last night. It would be a lie if I said I hadn't imagined her legs wrapped around me in every position known to mankind.

Evelyn turned around, her back to me. She had let her hair down today which left me a little bummed. I imagined myself pushing the curtain of her hair aside and pressing my lips against her slender neck like I had done so many times in my dreams. After the incident in the locker room, I couldn't help but wonder how far things would have gone if her phone hadn't rang.

Would we have ended up in her room? Or maybe mine? Or maybe locked all the doors and continued in the locker room itself?

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought and I quickly gulped down my desire along with the alcohol. Suddenly Evelyn turned around, her hazel eyes widening for the briefest second before they narrowed and a scowl formed on her face.

"You!" she said in an accusing tone.

I leaned against the counter, propping my elbow on it and placing my hand under my chin.

"Me," I replied in amusement.

Her scowl deepened and I had to fight off the grin that was threatening to break free. She took a few steps forward, her heel clicking against the floor and drawing my attention to them. Good Lord! Fuck me heels. She was certainly going to end me today.

"What are you doing here? Are you stalking me now?" she asked accusingly.

"Hold your horses, Rosy," I said. "I'm a guest here."

She scoffed. "Sure."

I shrugged. "Why don't you confirm with the hosts then?"

As if on cue, Jacob and Melissa walked over. Melissa threw her arms around the pink-striped girl, both of them squealing. From what I picked up from their top-speed girly chatter, pink stripes was Melissa's cousin. And she introduced Evelyn as a friend from college.

"Mr. Griffin you attend Wellsfield too right? Do you guys know each other?" Jacob asked.

"Please. Atlas is fine. Mr. Griffin would be my uncle," I said, waving him off. "And yes. I know Evelyn but I haven't had the pleasure to cross paths with Stacy before." I gave my most charming smile to Stacy who in return blushed profusely.

"Good for her," Evelyn muttered but I heard her loud and clear.

Just to annoy her, I threw my arm around Evelyn, pulling her close to me. "Evelyn and I are really close. I wonder why she didn't introduce me to her?" I asked, turning to face her. She was stiff as a board, looking up at me with big, bewildered eyes. I grinned.

However, she composed herself quickly and leaned into my side. She placed her head on my shoulder and got comfortable. Now it was my turn to go stiff. "I did. You said you were busy," she said and then turned to the rest, a sugary sweet smile on her face. "He's such a busy man."

Jacob laughed. "Of course. College, hockey, and looking after the business. Quite a feat for a man of his age."

"Business?" Evelyn asked, quiet enough for only me to hear.

"I have very nice people to help me around," I said to Jacob, ignoring her question.

Jacob and Melissa chatted a little more with Stacy, occasionally involving Eve and me. Even with the conversation going on, my entire focus was on Evelyn. She still hadn't pulled away from me and when I turned to look at her, I found her eyes already on me.

My breath hitched from how close her face was to mine. She had done makeup today that highlighted her perfect eyes and high cheekbones. Her plush lips were coated in scarlet red lipstick, making me wonder if it would leave a mark on me if I kissed her right now.

As if sensing where my train of thoughts was going, her gaze dropped to my lips. I gulped, but my throat had gone completely dry. I shouldn't go there—this was a line neither of us should cross.

But when Evelyn's big eyes trailed back up to mine, seemingly pleading, I completely lost it.

I was going to kiss her. There was no turning back now.