Any Time, Any Place (Billionaire Builders #2)(66)

She let out an aggravated breath but had no time to press him. Already Amanda was rushing in, pinning more tickets to the pass and grabbing plates to serve. Raven swore to push him for an answer later and hurried back to the bar.

Then stopped short as her gaze hit ocean-blue eyes full force. Oh, he was smoking hot tonight. There was something deliciously dangerous about his aura, set off by a black tank top that left his sculpted arms and chest available for drooling purposes and tight jeans that told a woman exactly what he was packing. His tawny hair was loose but slicked back from his forehead, emphasizing the sweep of his brow and the long line of his nose. His dimples flashed as he gave her a slow, purposeful smile, full of wicked meaning.

God, she hoped he wasn’t just a big tease.

She’d had a wonderful time with her aunt. The play was amazing, and they’d dined at Carmine’s, feasting on Italian food served family style. Three of Aunt Penny’s friends had joined them, and she’d loved talking about theater and the behind-the-scenes politics that made her laugh so hard her ribs hurt. She and her aunt had spent the night at the Waldorf Astoria and ordered room service for breakfast that cost a billion dollars, and she’d arrived back home more settled, and ready to attack work that day with a clear mind.

Problem was, she missed Dalton.

Bad.

She’d dreamed of him last night. Dreamed he’d snuck into her room, climbed into her bed, and stripped her naked while she slept. Dreamed he’d pushed her thighs apart and buried his mouth at the heart of her, licking and sucking until she came hard against his tongue. Dreamed he’d pushed inside of her, pinned her wrists to the mattress, and fucked her like he owned her.

Her skin tingled as she leaned her elbows on the bar and gave him a smile back. “Hey, Slick.”

His eyes darkened, and he got that hungry look on his face. His voice was a touch ragged. “Hey, darlin’.” They stared at each other, not needing words, as if they each knew the other’s intimate language. “Another busy night. How was your big city outing with your aunt?”

She smiled. “It was nice to spend some quality time with her. She’s leaving tomorrow, though. Rehearsals begin on Broadway.”

“I like her. She cares about you.”

Raven nodded. “She does. Took care of me after my father passed. Put up with my crap. Still loved me.”

He reached out and ran a finger down her arm, as if he couldn’t stand to not touch her. “Not surprised. You’re easy to love.”

She sucked in a breath. He snatched his hand back, shock reflecting in those baby blues.

“Can we get another round down here?” someone shouted.

The spell broke, and Raven hurried away. It didn’t mean anything. She knew how easily words spilled from lips with no action or intention behind them. She also knew the psychology of a traumatic event increasing bonding hormones, especially between a male and a female. It was textbook.

The night flew by as she took care of the customers, kept up a light banter with Dalton, and sold a crapload of her special raspberry-mint cocktail. Amanda sailed past her, a frustrated expression on her face. Raven reached out and touched her arm.

“You okay? Anyone giving you trouble?”

She blew out a breath. “Yeah, Al. He’s out smoking again, and got snippy with me. What’s up with him?”

“I don’t know. He refuses to talk to me.”

Dalton rose from his stool. “I need some air myself. Let me check on him. Could be guy stuff.”

Raven nodded. “Okay, maybe you’ll have better luck. I’m worried about him.”

“Us men are complicated creatures. Sometimes we need some space to work things out.”

He winked, then strode out to the back, tight denim cupping his perfect ass.

Amanda gave a dreamy sigh. “He’s so hot.”

Raven sighed with her. “Yeah, I know.”

“So is he, like, your boyfriend?”

The question was simple coming from Amanda’s lips. Of course, she was a college student, boy crazy, and looked at the world with a touch of shiny-eyed optimism. Raven wished for one moment she could just say yes. Dalton would be her boyfriend, and they’d go on dates together, sleep together, and head toward something beautiful and maybe permanent.

But it wasn’t that simple. And even if they managed to get past their family history, he didn’t want anything longer than a few beautiful weeks or months.

“No,” she said with a touch of regret.

“Too bad. You guys seem to fit together.”

Amanda disappeared, leaving Raven in surprised silence.


Dalton followed the trail of smoke outside. Al leaned against the back wall in his usual spot, puffing away. His white uniform was splattered with grease, one of his sneakers had a hole in the side, and his clean-shaven head shone in the trickle of moonlight. He stared into the darkness like he was planning to kick someone’s ass.

Dalton thanked God that someone wasn’t him.

He hoped.

“Hey, Al. What’s up?”

The cook didn’t answer. His fingers tightened around the cigarette.

Dalton kept talking as if they were having a two-way conversation. “Amanda’s worried about you. So is Raven. Seems you’re not your usual sunny, chatty self.”

That got him a grunt.