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I do.
Kind of.
The truth was, I was finding it harder and harder to care if people saw me with Warren Blake. He was an amazing man. Kind, attentive, genuine. Who wouldn’t want that in a man? I know I did. But I still had that streak that was riding strong inside of me. The one that was determined to make my mother proud, no matter what it took.
What if what it took was to marry Jasper Pierce? My heart thumped painfully in my chest at the thought.
No. I couldn’t—wouldn’t marry him.
He wasn’t a good man. He wasn’t someone I could ever see myself coming home to at the end of a long day, not someone who would ever approve of me reading romance novels and sipping hot chocolate in front of my fireplace, or indulging in silly face masks just because they gave me a tiny amount of satisfaction.
“Jane, let’s do shots!” I startle at my friend Mandy’s voice. Mandy was the life of the party, and the one who had trysts with just about anyone that moved, breathed, or looked in her direction. Not that I judged, heck, sometimes I was even jealous. Not of the number of times she participated in the events of sexual intercourse, but in her freedom to do so.
I never felt free enough to do those things.
I find my gaze sliding to the left, and just like I knew it would, Warren’s gaze was still set on my face, his eyes dark and molten. And in a moment of pure bravery, I let loose another smile and gave my head a little jerk to the back of the room.
He gave a very subtle indication that he knew what I meant, and I turned back to Mandy. “Order me one. I’ll be right back.”
The group went back to their conversation, not at all worried about me. Just as well.
I wind my way through the crowded bar, the dim lights helping to conceal my identity should someone care—though not many knew who I was in this setting.
They weren’t coming in here thinking they could rub elbows with people in a position of power, they were coming to find a way to let go of the week’s worries.
Just like me.
I find the hallway that leads to the bathroom, the lighting is terrible in this area. The framed posters of old Hollywood elite line the walls in something that is probably supposed to be classic, but the number of water stains and smoke damage lessen their appeal.
I go past the bathrooms and curve around the hallway, nearly hidden from view when a hand reaches at and pulls me toward a wall, it takes a moment to comprehend everything that’s happening when I’m thrust against a wall, and the man I’ve become nearly obsessed with leans into me.
“Never did I think I’d find you here,” he whispers darkly, close to me. I shudder against him, my insides turning molten at the contact. I’ve never had such a carnal reaction to just having my hands held at my sides and a man’s body pressed into mine.
It’s… new.
“I didn’t think I’d find you here either.”
“Really?” He cocks his head, his honey eyes shining in the dim light. “I’d say this place is much more my speed than yours.”
I lift a chin at his declaration. “I can handle a place like this.”
Pressing farther into me, he smirks. “I know you can.”
“Are you drunk?”
“Depends on your definition.”
“Would you drive a car right now?” I clarify.
“No,” he says, his voice low. “But I could drive something else.”
“Yes, please.” The words slip out before I realize what I’m saying but it’s all the permission he needs to slam his lips down onto mine, taking them in a punishing kiss. I gasp into his mouth and he takes the opening, sliding his tongue into my mouth.
The kiss is… amazing. Just like our first one and just like our last one, I feel a connection to this man that no other being on earth has ever given me.
It would be so easy to get lost in him. Without worry, without care.
There’s something ridiculously hot about him holding my hands hostage, not being able to touch him the way I want to. I wriggle them slightly and like the gentleman he is, he releases them.
