Page 23

Story: The Inquisitor

“When?” Audri’s voice soothed my nerves. “Deets, please.”

“Six months ago.”

“Oh my God. And you kept it from me?”

Guilt tore through me. I’d always shared my dates with her before, but I didn’t understand why I kept my one time with Forrest a secret.

Just face it.

It was the fact that I’d actually had a one-night stand—something I’d heard people talk about but never done.

“It’s not a crime to be attracted to a gorgeous man,” Audri said.

“He was one of the models at the shoot. We were drinking at a hotel, and after two drinks, my hormones took over and I lost my mind.”

Stop blaming it on the drinks.

“Oh, Kiera. Do you like him? Or it’s just a one-time thing?”

“I don’t know.” A heavy sigh escaped me.

“He’s flustered you. That just means . . .”

“What?”

“That he’s got what it takes. Guess what?”

I could hear the mischief in her voice.“Yes?”

“You need the SSG to rescue you!”Excitement thrummed in her voice, making me smile.

“I don’t think so.”

“I know so! Let me gather up the girls and see when we can all hop in on a call.”

“Just wait until I get back.”

“That’s too long of a wait. A man has you feeling upside-down, so we need to help you find answers. You did it for me, Michelle, and Natalie. Now it’s your turn, babe. Besides, how often do we get to do this?”

After agreeing to a chat with my SSG, the call ended with Audri full of excitement.

Feeling drained, I dropped down onto the couch and welcomed the memory of that night.

Sitting on an elegant loveseat in the luxurious hotel lounge, I sip my second Cosmopolitan. Everyone is celebrating the completion of a successful photo shoot. As I drink, I try to subdue my attraction to Forrest.

He sits next to me, his thigh touching mine. Heat blooms through the silk fabric of my dress, and my nipples harden.

I’ve seen him many times at our friends’ houses, but I haven’t sensed this powerful attraction until now. I mean, part of that was me keeping a respectful distance from a man who is out of my league.It’s not just his captivating looks. He mostly dates doctors, women in his field.I’m not a doctor.

“How long have you been photographing fashion models? What made you take this route?” Mesmerizing green eyes look at me, and my heart races.

He has short brown hair, a square jaw, regally high cheekbones, a straight nose, and a sexy masculine mouth that makes me wonder about inappropriate things.

He studies me with inquisitive eyes I can’t break away from. Sitting so close to him, I see his eyes transform before me. What has been a meadow green darkens into a mysterious forest. How appropriate, given his name. What’s behind the name anyway?

His gaze intensifies, and his irises shift. Spears of blue-green—almost a mint color—burst and hypnotize me. Unable to control myself, I release a sigh. His eyes flick to my mouth, and I lick my lips from the dryness developing in my throat.

The stress from the past few weeks fades as we stare at each other.