Page 18 of Within Striking Distance
“What do you think?” I ask, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “I’m hoping you’re here tonight for the same reason I am—I can’t get that kiss off my mind, and it’s been driving me crazy to the point my friends are sick of me. Give me tonight. That’s all I’m asking. No pressure, no expectations.” I pause before adding, “It’s all I can offer you. One night to explore this insane chemistry between us, and then we walk away.”
Her gaze bounces from me to the black card, then back again.
“No expectations?”
“None whatsoever. We’re both free to leave whenever we want. I promise. I just want to spend some time withyou in private. Talk.” My lips tug into a grin. “Maybe kiss the shit out of you and anything else you’re comfortable with, but I won’t pressure you into anything. That’s not who I am.”
Darkness creeps into my vision, and the sounds ofhercrying and begging him to stop rip through my subconscious. I suck in a sharp breath, trying to force those memories back into the recess of my mind.
“Hey,” she says softly, reaching up to cup my cheek. Her touch is like magic, rooting me back in the present. “I know that’s not who you are.”
Fixing my gaze on her, I shoot her a self-deprecating smirk. “That’s sweet, pixie. But I need to be honest with you. I can’t offer you anything more than tonight.”
I wait, knowing I’ve probably blown all my chances out of the water with that one statement.
To my surprise she nods. “Tonight only. Then we walk away.”
Chapter 6
Juliet
This isn’t real.
He’s not standing in front of me after blowing my mind with yet another all-consuming kiss that had my toes curling and me melting into his touch.
I must’ve hit my head.
Fifteen minutes ago, I was pacing the alleyway, trying to work up the courage to walk into Euphoria, hoping to find the mysterious stranger who turned my life upside down and inside out with a simple kiss. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to be here to steal my sanity once again.
Now he wants to take me somewhere private, and while everything inside me should be screaming that this is reckless and dangerous, those voices are strangely silent. I don’t feel threatened by him one bit.
This man intrigues me, and the fact we both showed up tonight when neither of us knew the other would be here… It feels like serendipity.
As much as I love my daughter, and I would never do anything to put her in harm’s way again, it’s been over eighteen months. I’m craving the affection of another person.
My conversation with Quinn from earlier replays in my head.
“I understand why you’re so hesitant about dating again, Jules, but men like Edward are the exception, not the rule. You don’t have to rush into anything. Just test the waters. I’m not expecting you to marry the first guy you sleep with, but thirty-four is too young to give up on happily ever after.”
She somehow convinced me to come tonight to see if my masked kisser was here, and now I’m considering renting a room with a stranger at a sex club.
Tinsley’s safe at her brother’s house. Quinn knows where I am. The club has strict protocols around the safety of its patrons. Why can’t I indulge for one night?
Before I can talk myself out of it, I pick the card up off the bar and hold it out to him.
He takes it and thanks the bartender, who nods in acknowledgement before moving off to serve some other patrons.
“Do you know him?” I ask, curious about why we were given a room for free.
My masked stranger shakes his head. “Only met him tonight, but let’s just say he fancies himself our fairy godmother.”
I tilt my head, and my confusion must be painted on my face, because he chuckles, the sound doing something indescribable to my insides.
“When I came in here looking for you, I didn’t really believe I’d find you. I must have looked pretty dejected, because Diego took pity on me and gave me a tour of the club. He told me he remembered you and your friends because of the bride-to-be, and he said if I was meant to see you again, I would… and here you are.”
“Here we both are,” I say with a smile, then nod at the keycard in his hand. “So, are we doing this?”
He looks at the card, then back at me, holding out his hand. “When in Rome.”
