He grabs my hand and ushers me down the hall to the back door. He pushes it open, revealing a small, dark parking lot devoid of life.
“Another place?” I stammer, trying to fortify my nerves.
“Another bathroom. Come on. It’s just next door. I’ll show you a shortcut.”
“So said the serial killer.” I force a laugh, slowing my pace and unintentionally clenching my hands.
He lets the door fall shut and turns, brow furrowed in confusion, but I see the faded evidence of a smile. His eyes track over my stiff frame. “You’re different, I’ll give you that much.”
“Different from what?”
He tilts his head and studies me. “Where’s your phone?”
“Why do you want it?” I’ve dug it from my bag before finishing the question.
He pulls his wallet from his pocket and opens it to his driver’s license. “Here. Send this to a close friend or family member. Let ’em know you’re in capable hands.”
“Am I?”
His eyes lock on mine. “Yes.”
That one word snakes through my veins like fire.
My hands shake as I snap the photo in the dark hallway and decide who to send it to. I text Callie, fumbling so awkwardly that I shove the phone back into my pocket before he notices how shaky I am around him. “Thank you. For that.”
“Come on.” He walks out into the night, holding the door open behind him for me to follow.
My stomach flutters with nerves and excitement, overriding my instinct not to follow a stranger in a small town to some dark, mysterious place.
The smart thing would be to thank him all the same and go out the front door of the Hitching Post, call a rideshare, and rejoin my sisters at their hotel.
I normally do the smart thing.
But tonight, I want to do him.
CHAPTER 5
Fitz
What the hellam I doing?
When I approached her outside the bathroom, I didn’t know what I intended—to see her up close, to give her shit about the birthday wish, to free her of the fucking tiara? Some of those things, all of those things.
I did not intend to invite her to the building I own next door. I did not intend to kiss her.
But the second I came within two feet of her, all my intentions and plans evaporated like yesterday’s scotch. I wanted to kiss her. Had to kiss her.
I also knew I was fucked.
She starts chattering the second we’re outside. “I’m only here for one night. Just so you know.”
That suits me fine. Better than fine.
“I wasn’t planning our wedding, but thanks for spelling out how little you’d like to see me again, duchess. It’s flattering,” I deadpan.
She frowns. “Sorry. I’m not…I’m new at this. This whole thing.”
I stop in the parking lot and face her. She stands up straight, but I still tower over her, and it makes me feel like I should protect her against something, though I’m not sure what. Me?
