Sexcapades Read Online Free PDF Page A

place.” Darcy took a step closer, forcing Petra to look up at him. Damn, he was taller than she remembered. “I should be thanking you for making my day better.”
    “You’re welcome.” Because she had no idea what else to say to that.
    “I had no idea you were involved with blogging. Though I guess that makes sense.”
    “What?”
    “You’re clearly a thinker and not really comfortable in big crowds like this.” He looked around the room, nodding at the throng. “I thought for a moment you were going to bolt.”
    She hated that he could read her so effortlessly. It wasn’t fair that he had charm and an easygoing nature wrapped up in a package that was far too handsome to be legal. Petra didn’t want to be under his microscope any longer than necessary. “So what category are you nominated in?”
    Darcy opened his mouth to answer when the tapping of a microphone cut through the din of the room, silencing everyone with an electronic buzz. “Hello, everyone. Can I have your attention please?”
    Petra rolled her eyes, silently thankful for the distraction, and turned toward the slightly balding man who now stood front and center on the stage. Darcy shifted closer beside her, enough that she could feel his body heat warming her chilled skin.
    The man on stage held his arms wide open and grinned down at them. “Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. My name is Malcolm Robins, and I’m this year’s chairman of the Toronto Web Awards.”
    Polite applause from the crowd rolled across the room. Darcy leaned in so his hot breath tickled her neck. “I think his face is going to fall off if he smiles any harder.”
    Surprisingly, Malcolm’s smile did widen and Petra found herself covering a giggle. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as she thought.
    “Tonight is your opportunity to get to know each other. Take advantage of the media here tonight and get some positive PR for each of your sites. Every year our nominees see a significant jump in their web traffic, which will equate to dollars and cents for many of you.”
    “And dildos for others.” Darcy chuckled.
    Petra’s snort drew the attention of the couple standing in front of them. She swallowed down a large gulp of wine to hide her embarrassment. When had the crowd gotten so heavy back here?
    She purposely kept her body facing the stage and did her best to ignore the way her chest tightened. Robins was still talking, thanking faceless people for their efforts in pulling together this year’s Web of Excellence at a breakneck pace and under budget. The rest of the MC’s words were lost on her as another group of people came up beside them.
    Petra cleared her throat and tried to move back, but there were several of the wait staff standing along the wall. She’d somehow gone from being a wallflower to standing in the middle of a group.
    “Hey, are you okay?” Darcy’s hand on the small of her back should have been comforting. Instead her heart threatened to pound through her ribcage.
    “I—”
    “Petra? You’re looking a bit pale. Do you want to sit down?”
    Laughter rolled through the crowd, filling the room and hurting her ears. She couldn’t see the exit anymore, nor could she make out an easy path to get there. Her stomach soured and her legs itched to move.
    Shit, she had to get out of here.
    “Petra—”
    “I have to leave.” She didn’t wait to see his reaction and pushed her way through the group.
    The sea of bodies refused to part even as she barreled through the throng. Petra bumped into them, muttering apologies as she went. Her head had grown light and black spots started to dance in her field of vision. If she didn’t get out of here soon she was going to pass out.
    A strong hand wrapped around her biceps, while another one pressed against the small of her back. “Let’s get you some fresh air.”
    Darcy.
    He’d come after her.
    Oh good.
    Petra couldn’t focus enough to see if Darcy was giving everyone the evil eye or if it was