Page 23 of A Secret Escape

Her gaze drifts around the room, and the sparkle in her expression dims. Only one other sofa remains open, the others occupied by couples holding hands, talking intimately. She lowers her eyes to her lap.

“Do you come here a lot?”

Fuck. The signature drink. Idiot.

“I used to,” I tell her honestly. “I haven’t been for a long time.”

A tense silence falls between us.

“I know what you’re thinking,” I venture.

“Oh?” she asks, trying to sound casual, but there’s a sadness in her voice .

“You’re wondering if I bring all my dates here.” I look at her carefully, drawing her eyes to mine. “I don’t.”

Her smile returns, small and shy, her cheeks flushing.

“It’s not exactly the kind of place you come to with the lads though, is it?”

I laugh – really laugh - at the mental image. “Fair point.”

I pause, taking a deep breath.

I hadn’t expected this to come up. Not tonight.

But with her, I decide honesty is the best policy.

“I used to come here with someone I was seeing,” I say.

She looks up at me. “The one who wanted to get married?”

“Actually, no.”

I meet her eyes, praying this doesn’t change anything between us.

I’ve never talked about a past relationship on a first date, let alone two , but something about Lila makes me want to open up to her. Her gaze isn’t judgmental, or jealous. It’s curious, open. She wants to know me – all of me, and I find a strange feeling telling me I want that too.

“What happened?” she asks, her voice gentle.

“We were serious for a while, but… she ended up reconnecting with an ex. Told me she still loved him. And that was that.”

Her features soften. “I’m sorry.”

God, I wish I could read her mind. I wish I knew what she needed to hear.

I rub my thumb across her knee. “You really do look beautiful tonight,” I say, threading my fingers through hers.

Her smile returns, genuine and glowing.

“Thank you. So do you.”

The way she looks at me – like I’m the only man in the room – knocks the breath from my lungs .

Her lips glisten with a light pink gloss, her skin glowing with a faint shimmer in the low light. I’m desperate to kiss her again, to explore every inch of her, but I restrain myself and reach for my drink instead.

Why am I so God-damn nervous? It’s not just that it’s been over two years since I’ve been with anyone, though that’s part of it.

Is it because we work together? Normally, that’s a line I wouldn’t cross. But with her, it’s already blurred to the point of no return. And if people found out? Honestly? I don’t think I’d care.

Is it the age difference? Maybe. But with Lila, I barely notice it. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met. She’s vibrant. Messy. Alive. Every time I see her, I feel like the world gets sharper around the edges. Brighter. Realer.

She kissed me at Sapphire. She said yes to this date. She’s into me. That much is clear. So why does it feel like I’m standing on the edge of something unknown?

What does she want? A one-night stand? A fling? Or is she looking for commitment?

Maybe it’s because I just told her about Elle – when she walked out – I don’t talk about that. I never talk about that. But when Lila asked, I answered. Like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Like I trust that she wouldn’t do the same.

And maybe that’s what scares me the most.

All I know for certain is - I can’t stop thinking about her.

And tonight, all I can think about is getting her out of that dress and into my bed.

She swirls her straw in the glass, her lips pursed.

“Not a fan?” I ask.

She scrunches her nose, and it might just be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

“Not really, sorry. It’s just… really sweet. ”

“No, I’m sorry. I should have asked. Let me get you something else. What’s your go-to?”

She shakes her head. “It’s okay, you don’t have to.”

I place my hand on her knee again, meeting her eyes. “I want to. What would you like?”

A grin tugs at her lips. “Not whiskey.”

I laugh, my heart fluttering at the memory of last Friday.

“Got it. Not whiskey, not sweet. Gin and tonic?”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

“One gin and tonic, coming right up.”

She leans back, relaxing into the sofa, and a wave of relief washes over me.

As I walk up to the bar, the music from the speakers fades and a singer in a black floor-length gown steps onto the stage, claiming the room with an elegant poise.

I return with the drink, handing it to Lila before slipping my arm back around her. She melts against me, nestling closer in a move that sends a comforting warmth radiating through my chest.

The singer’s gentle voice fills the room. “Good evening, and welcome to The Midnight Rose. I’m Amy, and I’ll be your entertainment for this evening. So sit back, snuggle in, and enjoy.”

I squeeze Lila’s hand as the first notes of a sultry melody drift through the air.

She shifts, turning her face toward mine. Her lips are parted, too close to resist.

Her fingers skim down my chest, trailing heat as they reach my waist.

My hand caresses her cheek, tilting her chin up to me as I lean in, closing the distance between us .

Her whole body responds - fingers digging into my side, pulling me closer as my hands trace the curve of her back before settling on her thigh. Her skin is fire beneath my touch.

I toy with the hem of her dress, aching to slide my hand under it.

Her tongue brushes softly against mine, and the longing I’ve buried for the past two years ignites into wildfire – hot, urgent, and all-consuming. It’s not just desire anymore; it’s need, raw and relentless, threatening to tear me apart from the inside out.

I deepen the kiss, tugging gently at her lower lip, savouring the taste of her raspberry lip gloss, and every sleepless night I’ve spent imagining this.

When our lips part, her breath is ragged, the warmth lingering on my skin as a bead of sweat trickles down my back.

And all I can think is – this isn’t just lust.

This is something else.

Something I never saw coming, and I have no chance of stopping it.