“Are you high, Jenna?” he asked from what seemed like a million miles away.
I shook my head. The thought that I was high was so absurd I laughed out loud. “I’m most certainly not high. Trust me, I would know if I was.” I peeled myself off his chest and met his gaze.
For some reason, I expected him to smile, but he didn’t. His face was a serious mask, his mouth was pressed into a thin line, and that frown was on his face again.
Clearly, he didn’t believe me.
The thought that the handsome stranger thought I was a drug user when I had barely had a cocktail enraged me, and my temper flared.
“You know what? You have no right to judge me.” I pushed a finger into his chest, marveling at how hard his body felt. “It’s not your right to be accusatory when you don’t know me. I’ve had a rough day. Maybe I look like I’m high and sound drunk, but you know what? You sound and look like my cheater ex.” I pushed out my chin defiantly as I stared him down.
He looked taken aback.
Pushing his arm away, I tried to put some distance between us, but he held on to me tight, until I could almost sense the beating of his heart, calm and steady.
“A man who doesn’t respect his woman isn’t worth keeping,” he whispered against my earlobe, his voice caressing every nerve ending. “No woman deserves to be cheated on. I’m glad you ditched the bastard.”
“Yeah, so am I,” I replied and wiped a hand over my eyes before the telltale moisture could give away my state of mind. His words, short and superficial as they were, touched me.
For a few moments, silence lingered between us, but in that moment I felt as though he understood me and the pain that seemed to creep up on me again.
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” he said eventually.
“I’m sorry I insinuated that you are a sex worker,” I replied and stifled a giggle.
Maybe it was the way he touched the small of my back—so tenderly, as if his hands knew how to make me feel good—but my anger faded instantly. Or it might have been the warmth of his body, but something about him seemed to calm down the storm brewing inside me.
I leaned my head against his chest, wondering what would happen if I let him in and took him up on his offer. Would my heart be free of pain—if only for one night? I pushed my dark thoughts to the back of my mind, where they could no longer reach me. On that night, I didn’t want to be alone with my demons. I didn’t want to think about the past. I wanted to be with a stranger, with someone who would make me feel good. Then, as soon as the night ended, he could just disappear from my life.
Gina was right. I needed something uncomplicated.
“I want to try it,” I whispered.
“And what would that be?”
“You asked me what I want,” I started, choosing my words carefully. “I want you to have a drink with me...at my place.”
There was silence. Waiting for his answer, I held my breath.
“You know what you should never do?” he said eventually.
“What?”
“Hook up with a random guy and let him drive you home.” His voice was still serious, but now he winked at me with a devilish grin.
I giggled. “That’s the plan. If I have to sleep with a total stranger, I’d rather it be you.”
“Why me?”
My skin tingled from the magnetic pull between us.
“Because—” I stopped, looking for the right words. Granted, I didn’t know him, so what could I possibly answer? That I felt attracted to him because he was physically attractive? That I didn’t want to be alone at home and face my inner demons? That the alcohol rushing through my veins had made me horny, and the prospect of sleeping with him was appealing?
“Because you want me?” He raised an eyebrow at me, leaving me both wanting and fearing him.
I nodded and whispered, “And more so because I need you.”
And because there is no us. No chance of another heartbreak.
As though to test my boundaries, his hand brushed my ass while the other forced my chin up. Ever so slowly, his lips neared mine. For a second, I thought he’d kiss me. I held my breath, awaiting his hungry mouth. To my dismay, his lips traveled up my neck and brushed my earlobe.
“I’ll take you home.” His tone left no room for discussion. His grip on my arm tightened as he led me away from the booths and out the door, toward his car.
I stopped in midstride and spun slowly to take in my surroundings. Maybe the darkness in the club had wreaked havoc on my vision, but everything shimmered bright and colorful, as if the entire night sky had captured auroras. It was so bright it hurt my eyes, and I had to close them for an instant.