On Paper Read Online Free Page B

craning his head to get a better look at the crowd. I followed his gaze and smiled when I saw dark and twisty and her side kick.
    "I'm going to go introduce myself. You'll be okay here, right?" he said, rounding the table and heading off before I could say anything.
    "Asshole,” I muttered under my breath. I pulled the chair out from the table, ignoring the scrape of metal across the floor and sat down in a frustrated huff. I watched as Miles disappeared into the crowd. Not only couldn't I see him anymore, but I couldn't see Book Nerd either. I'd only caught a glimpse of her before she’d disappeared. Her hair had been pulled back into one of those fancy ponytails that gathered her long waves and sent them cascading down her back. Her black dress was simple, but it hugged her body, giving my imagination plenty of images to get creative with.
    I wanted to follow Miles into the crowd, but I had my responsibilities as I was reminded when a group of women walked up to the table. I gave them a big smile and asked them their names, all the while cursing Miles in my mind. If he blew it with that chic I might never get to talk to her friend. I needed her name. I couldn't keep calling her Book Nerd. I ran through a list of names in my head, trying to predict what it might be, but nothing felt right.
    I tried to push it from my mind and concentrate on the conversations that I was having. The people were nice and I agreed to head out to the dance floor and join them eventually. I glanced down at my watch noting that I was only required to be at my table for another thirty minutes. Miles hadn't come back. He was such an amazing assistant. I was going to kick his ass later. The least he could have done was brought the girls back to the table and introduce them to me.
    Then again, Miles didn’t usually bring his dates around. Not that I'd ever in a million years make the moves on some girl he was into, but in places like this, he'd been forgotten before, so I got it.
    Miles didn’t need any help in the ladies department. He had enough swagger all on his own. But I respected the fact that he wanted to distance himself from me. Even if he was only hooking up with someone, he’d rather it be based on his own merit and not on who his brother was. That kid had a good head on his shoulders, even if it meant he cared more about things than he probably should. I tried my best to look out for him.
    I leaned back in my chair; the hard metal was causing my ass to go numb. I was ready to pack it up and go mingle. I needed a drink. I had sat here long enough.
    I left the swag on the table and leaned down to grab the box of books at my feet. That's when I saw the movement of caramel hair and the flash of fitted black material over shapely hips. They were headed this way. Well, the brunette was headed to the table, Book Nerd looked liked she was being forced against her will.
    I watched as they approached and smiled at the way she had her arms folded across her chest. She avoided my gaze, glancing everywhere but at me or my table.
    "Hi," her friend smiled as she walked up. "I was hoping I'd catch you. I wanted to see if you could sign a book for me.”
    "Of course, I’d be happy to,” I smiled. “I didn't catch your name earlier during the Q&A." Maybe if I could get dark and twisty’s name I could get Book Nerd’s name too.
    "I'm Lily," she said, offering her hand. I shook it and then turned to her friend, who was still refusing to look at me.
    "And you are?" I asked willing her eyes to meet mine. She obliged, her gaze locking on my own. Her mouth opened and then closed, her tongue, followed by her teeth danced across her bottom lip and I couldn't stop the instant lust that fisted through my gut.
    "I'm Quinn," she said.
    I repeated her name back to her, now that I had it I wanted to hear it falling from my lips. Quinn. I cleared my throat, forcing myself to stop staring at her. Finally able to see her up close I could see that her eyes were not