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"I can."
"That's because I'm fucking amazing," I say sarcastically.
I huff under my breath and turn around, leaving him behind. He’s getting to me so easily when he shouldn't have any impact on my emotions whatsoever. I retrieve my coat from the coat check and step outside, inhaling the dirty air. Anything is better than the stuffy floral scent inside, not to mention being within touching distance of James.
God, he looked divine tonight in the pale pink dress shirt he’d left partially unbuttoned to reveal the lively artwork across his wide chest. What gave him the seal of approval from me were the navy-blue slacks that looked downright sinful on him. He has an ass that rivals David Beckham's, which is saying something, since I think James is at least ten years older and David's ass is perfection.
Before I can raise my hand to call for a cab, an arm wraps around me and pulls me into a small, dark alcove between the buildings. My back slams against the exposed brick and then James’s lips are on mine, our tongues tangling around each other’s in a heated kiss. Tension crackles between us and I know he feels it by the way he leans into me. My sighs are a soft melody as his hands paint my body with a worshiping touch.
"James," I whisper, breaking the kiss. "We can't do this. Please." My heart’s racing and I’m terrified. "I don't want to get caught."
"Agree to see me again and I'll leave you alone, for now," he breathes into me, his forehead pressed to mine. I clench my eyes shut.
I shake my head. "No. You know I won't."
He slides his hands inside my coat and pulls my body flush to his. His hands are on the small of my back, cupping my ass and giving me a gentle but firm squeeze. A purr rolls off my lips and I press my fingers into his shoulders. His erection digs into me and I gasp, wanting to feel more. His lips meet my neck and the fine hair of his beard tickles my skin. There's something to be said about a man who knows how to navigate a woman's body.
"Say yes." His voice is guttural, skating over my skin. "I won't take no for an answer now that I have you again. We don't need to go through Sanctuary Cove. It can be just us."
I frown, wondering again how he can even ask such a thing while his wife and daughter are inside waiting for him. He has to know I can't do that to Natalie, and I would think he wouldn't want to hurt her either, because that's exactly what it would do.
I push James away with every ounce of strength I have. "I need to go," I say, and rush off before he can catch me.
There's a cab waiting at the curb now with a couple standing next to the open door, so I quickly step around them and jump in.
"I'm sorry! Family emergency!" I say, slamming the door shut.
Within thirty minutes I'm back in my apartment, my former favorite dress a crumpled mess on the floor, and I have a large glass of wine in my shaking hands. My plan was to drink until I couldn't see straight and then stumble to bed, so all I'm wearing is a white tank top and black boy short panties. Guilt, shame, mortification—they all hit me with a force so strong it makes me sick.
I glance at the colorful hues of the dress that James loves. I never want to look at it again.
Walking over to the small window, I can feel the icy air seeping through the cracks. I stare down at the busy city in a daze wondering how this happened. There are escort businesses all over New York City, but few as exclusive as Sanctuary Cove, so I'm not too surprised both James and Natalie ended up there. That means Madame Christine had known who he was when she paired him with me. How awkward it had to be for her to have to make sure she never accidently scheduled Natalie with her father.
Had I known who James was, I would never have taken him on as a client. I’d have put a stop to all of this before we had a chance to make things complicated and messy, before we had the chance to dance together.
Tears burn my eyes, the emptiness in my chest suffocating my emotions. I need to forget everything. Every word, every touch, every look, every smile—pretend like it never happened. But it's hard to let go when he's all I've thought about since the moment I met him.
Pouring another glass of wine, I place the bottle down and cork it as a rapid knock sounds at the door.
"Natalie, did you forget your key again?" I call out as I pick up my glass. "I told you to check before we left." I unbolt the door and pull it open, and the blood drains from my face.
"Hello, Aubrey."
Thirty-Eight
He doesn't wait. He just pushes the door open and steps inside, shutting it behind him and locking it with the chain.
"You can't be here," I say. I stare at him with honest to God fear. "How did you find me?" I ask, then regret my words. Of course he'd know where his daughter lives, even if they have an estranged relationship. I step backward until I meet the counter in my kitchen and place my glass down.
"I'm not done with you," he says, taking in the length of my body.
"How are you even here right now? Shouldn't you be at your event? How did you leave?"
He steps toward me, but I step back.
"I got an emergency call from a client. Happens all the time," he says, sounding a tad too proud of his lie. "My wife understands."
My jaw drops in shock. "You bailed on your charity shindig to chase after me? James, you need to leave. Natalie could walk in at any minute."
