She misinterpreted my delay in responding. She shook her head. “Shit, er, sorry. We just said we never do this—”
“I want to.” I searched her face for any sign that she may not want it but everything about her languid lean against the wall, the flush in her cheeks, and the heaving of her chest told me she was right there with me.
“Let me just go to the bathroom,” she said. “And then we can go.”
I dropped my head to kiss her again. It was absurd but my chest already ached at the thought of her walking away. I gripped her hands in mine, intertwining our fingers as we kissed once more. I could deal with the worst of what life had to offer. Because whenever there was darkness, there were also bits of sunshine like this to balance it out.
I pulled back and she straightened. She smoothed her skirt and touched her lips in a daze. “Give me two shakes,” she said and I loved the twang of her sweet voice.
I watched her the whole time as she crossed the bar and moved toward the bathrooms. She turned around to glance back at me. I grinned and she bit back a smile.
I definitely didn’t deserve this woman, but I wasn’t about to let her go without getting to know her more.
Chapter 3
Roxy
I took a steadying breath as I pushed into the bathroom unable to help the smile that pulled at the side of my mouth. My goodness. Who was I? Who was this man?
I halted. Wait. Seriously, who? I hadn’t gotten his name yet.
“Lord, help me.” I looked to the ceiling. I’d lost my damn mind and I didn’t care. I was giddy with lust. I hadn’t wanted anybody like that … well, I honestly don’t know that I ever had wanted somebody so bad. So instantly. I thought that was a made-up thing, but the second we started dancing, I felt it. Hormones? Pheromones? Whatever it was called, I was all for it.
I did my business and replayed some of my favorite memories of the night. So far. I wanted to burn them into my brain, so I could pull them up at any time like a slideshow for my lady spankbank. His calloused hand sliding up my thigh. His hip as it pushed and pulled mine on the dance floor. His grumbly hum as my booty shoved against his arousal.
My goodness, I was hotter than a jalapeño on a campfire. I was in over my head and I needed a second opinion.
I opened my group conversation with the SWS. My thumbs hesitated over the screen. What’s the best way to ask what to do when you meet a crazy hot Australian that makes you feel like you tripped and fell in ecstasy and that you want to take him back to the hotel and do bad things with him that feel very, very good?
Roxy: Met a hot guy. Brain is broke.
Roxy: Tell me to pump the brakes.
I waited for a response, unsure who I’d hear from. Blithe had all but stopped hanging out with the SWS for reasons unknown. Kim was off all the time with some new mysterious conductor guy. I met him once when he invited us to his house. That part was cool and his house was amazing. Who was I to hate on a moody masked man, but I knew he was hiding himself from Kim and that was not cool. Even Suzie was with Ford more often than not. That left Gretchen, who was always there at least. Everything else was changing.
Kim responded immediately.
Kim: What’s his name?
Suzie: Drive faster!
Gretchen: SEND A PIC
I shook my head at my friends but felt some of the tension relax out of me. I wouldn’t be doing anything I might regret later.
Roxy: Don’t know his name. He’s HOT and sweet. Not pushy.
I chewed on my lip and thought more.
Roxy: I’m not taking a pic, you freak.
Gretchen: It was worth a shot.
Gretchen: You don’t know his name, you ho! ;)
We teased each other mercilessly but this was exactly why I had texted them. What was I doing? I didn’t know his name. I didn’t know anything about him.
Not entirely true. I knew that his scent grew intoxicating when he sweat, pumped full of some sort of magic that shot straight to my ovaries. I knew that when creeps started to move up on me, he gently danced me away without making a scene but clearly marking me as taken. I knew that his accent was sexy as fuck. Oh, and most importantly I knew that he kissed like he was giving life. That his hands stayed respectful but hot enough to know he was as close to losing control as I was. I knew that he was well endowed. Sorry, but I am so not sorry. I knew when he focused on me, I felt like I was the most interesting person in a club full of attractive people. That was heady stuff.
My phone pinged.
Kim: If you want us to talk you out of going home with him, we will. Have you been drinking?
Roxy: No.
I responded instantly. Kim didn’t mess around with drinking anymore because of her short time with the Wraiths. I didn’t blame her at all. I saved my drinking for special occasions.
Suzie: Leave if you aren’t comfortable.
I frowned. I was very comfortable with him. That was part of the problem. He made me feel so good. I was ready to jump in headfirst like I used to, before I had been saved from the Iron Wraiths.
Roxy: I leave in the morning. I should cut this short.
Gretchen: You can always just talk.
Her words surprised me. I thought she’d be the first to tell me to get away from him without looking back. She had trust issues with men. Honestly, most of the SWS did. My gaze snagged on my reflection in the full-length mirror.
My shirt had come untucked during
