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And now that was over.
I wasn’t going to be ‘that girl’ who sent a barrage of emotional dribble hoping something I said out of desperation would trigger the response I wanted.
No... I wasn’t that girl.
Hawk had moved on, and so should I.
After a quick ride, we arrived at the hotel, and I walked inside to check in.
“Your key, ma’am.” The young worker slid the credit card-sized key across the marble counter. “You’ll be in the penthouse suite. Mr. Carnage has advised all hotel services including the beauty spa are paid for on his behalf.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the key and ready to lock myself away. But then I was struck with a thought. I was on my own, in a town I had yet to explore. I had no nagging brothers in my ear and no Hawk watching my every move. I was free to let my hair down and let my hair down I would.
“Excuse me,” I said, turning on my heel to address the man behind the counter. “Where’s the trendiest place in town for a single woman to go... you know... for a dance?”
He smiled cheekily before unhooking his pen from his pocket and writing his suggestion on a Post-It note.
“Here,” he said, handing me the note. “You’re in town on the right night. It goes off around ten.”
“Thank you,” I said, holding the paper tight. I walked away with a smile, determined to do whatever it took to erase Hawk Carnage from my thoughts.MY HEELS CLICKED ALONG the path leading to Demure. I could already hear the music, some smooth R&B filtering onto the street. Stopping by the entrance where there was a line-up of thirty patrons waiting to get in. The bouncer took a long, languid look at my red dress and heels and ushered me forward. He lifted the rope so I could pass, and the groans from the disgruntled line quickly faded when the door opened for me.
Demure was less a nightclub and more a lounge bar with a decent-sized dance floor. It oozed opulence and chandeliers which cast a glittery sparkle across the space. Everyone was dressed elegantly, and bottles of champagne flowed between those sitting in private booths. Opting for where the singles would more likely congregate, I headed to the bar and took a seat.
The bartender, hot, sexy, sculptured body and chiseled jaw to boot, appeared in front of me almost instantly. He eyed me with his ‘çome fuck me’ eyes, and while he didn’t make me ache between the legs like Hawk did, there was certainly an interest to see beneath his tight black shirt.
“Meeting anyone?” He raised a brow.
I smiled because he had that effect on me, and hell, it was better than shedding tears for a man who couldn’t even respond to a simple work text.
“Not that I know of... yet, anyway.”
“Then let me be of service to you.” There was no denying the innuendo. “What can I get for you?”
Hawk Carnage.
“An apple martini, please.”
“Ahh... a New Yorker,” he gently teased while pulling a glass from the shelf.
“I am, don’t hold it against me.”
“I love New York,” he said with a wink. He set about making my martini, and I set about watching his muscular arms shake the shaker from side to side.
He poured my cocktail and waved me away when I went to pay.
“First one is on me,” he said while moving to serve other guests. Swiveling on my stool, I took in the view. This place was packed with beautiful people. It was a place Hawk would fit in perfectly. He might even acquire a few more models for his collection.
Jesus... could I at least try and go ten minutes without thinking of the man.
Before I knew it, I was four apple martinis down. Plus, a tequila shot—the bartender, now known as Xavier, did with me.
“I get off in ten,” he said, leaning against the bar. He’d been great company, endless flirting, cracking jokes and ensuring my glass was always flowing.
“Lucky I have a spare seat next to me.”
With another wink, he set off to finish his shift, and I went in search of the ladies’ room. My bladder was screaming blue murder, the urgency real. Demure was abuzz with patrons, and I had to navigate my way through the crowds who were starting to dance to the sultry music. A man stood back not knowing I was cutting a path behind him and he bumped into me causing me to collide with another hard body on my left.
“Oops, I’m so—” I went to apologize before my nose caught the scent of something too familiar.
It can’t be, I assured myself, but dread consumed me. Looking around the room, I couldn’t see anyone I knew. Brushing it off, I continued, until the scent grew stronger and stronger with each step. Still nothing.
