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A lice’s heart was going to come out of her chest. She was pressed against him so she could feel every curve and hardness in his body.

Her pussy was soaked, pulsing with the need to be filled.

But it was his gaze and the tone of his voice that kept her captive.

She couldn’t look away. She couldn’t lie to him.

She believed him when he said he’d always known.

“I have fantasized about it,” she admitted.

“Good girl,” he rumbled. Her chest tightened at the words. “How did that make you feel?” he asked.

She swallowed hard. “Good,” she admitted.

“Do you want more?”

Heat traveled from her head to her toes.

“Yes,” she said.

His gaze lit up like a rekindled flame.

“I’m going to kiss you,” he said, softly. “You’re going to accept it.”

She nodded.

“I want you to say it. Yes.” He seemed to hesitate. “Yes, Daddy.”

Fire coursed through her. She could no longer tell if it was mortification or desire. She wet her lips. His gaze darkened. Pleasure coursed through her.

“Yes, Daddy.”

The words came out with surprising ease. A smile flitted over Axel’s lips, and a sense of calm washed over her. He would take care of her. He would protect her. Axel.

He brushed his lips against hers. A moan lodged at the back of her throat from the mere contact.

“Alice, Baby Girl,” he murmured.

He pressed them to her mouth again, this time more forcefully. She whimpered.

“ Alice, are you home ? Alice ! OMG, you’re not going to believe this .”

Her world shattered at the sound of the familiar voice.

The door slammed shut and the clapping of heels on the floor filled her senses.

A sliver of fear and shame ran through her.

She veered around but wasn’t fast enough.

Her roommate had already seen them. Axel, shirtless in her bathroom.

She was in his arms, all but ready to kiss him, no doubt bright red.

“Alice, what is going on?” Nessa practically shrieked.

Her friend stared at them from the doorway, her jaw almost on the floor.

“Nessa,” she shrieked out the name. “You’re...”

Nessa grinned.

“I’m so sorry,” she fussed. “I didn’t realize you had a visitor. I’ll go.” She backed out of the hallway chuckling.

“No!” Alice cried, struggling out of Axel’s grip.

He released her immediately. Reality came crashing down around her.

The knot in her stomach returned with fury.

She was in her apartment with a virtual stranger, and they had been about to kiss.

Her skin burned and a tremble coursed through her body.

Her roommate had caught them in the act.

What would she think? She wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

Instead, words spewed out of her mouth without control.

“Nessa. Axel was just about to leave. He came to return my notebook. I left it at the bar and then he asked for some water, and I spilled it on him, and I was bringing him a towel. We hardly know each other. Nothing is happening. He ... it wasn’t—”

She stiffened at the warm touch of his fingertips on her shoulders, but the flow of words died. She stared at Nessa, who stood next to the couch with a big grin on her face.

“It’s okay, Alice,” she said. “I’ll leave.”

“No.” Axel interjected. “I’ll go.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Breathe,” he whispered. As if on command she let out a long breath. “Alice, you will see me to the door.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied. A moment later, she realized it hadn’t been a question.

He walked past without another word. Alice stared after him. Longing assaulted her system, taking her by surprise. She didn’t want him to leave. Did she? Nessa nudged her on the ribs.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to leave?” she whispered. She winked at her. “You never bring anyone over, and you looked busy.”

“Yes, it’s fine. Shut up,” she replied coarsely.

Axel stood at the door waiting for her. Turning to Nessa, he extended his hand. “It has been a pleasure to meet you, Nessa, albeit in strange circumstances.”

Her friend flushed and a flash of jealousy ran through her. Alice frowned. She crossed her arms over her chest. Had he done something to her?

“Alice.”

He extended his palm to her. Hesitantly, she took it. Bending over it, he kissed the top of her hand. His lips were soft and gentle. There was no pressure, no demand. He glanced up at her, his fiery eyes piercing.

“We shall stay in touch.” He didn’t say it aloud, but he didn’t need to.

The words “Baby Girl” lingered in the air.

Heat infused every cell in her body and the urge to tell him to stay crossed her mind.

She pushed it away and pulled back her hand, aware that Nessa was still standing a few feet behind her.

“Bye.”

Giving them both a brief nod, he picked up his helmet and walked out. As soon as the door shut, Nessa turned to her.

“Alice, what the fuck?”

“I don’t know. I’m sorry,” she began to apologize though she wasn’t even sure what she was doing it for.

“Girl, I know you haven’t had anyone over, but him? He could be your father. Did you see the gray in his hair? I mean, he’s a hunky silver fox, to be fair, but how old is he? Fifty?”

“Forty.”

“Forty!” Nessa kicked off her shoes. “He was no doubt looking to take advantage of you. A sweet, innocent, twenty-something. Those men are predators. You should be more careful.”

“Yes,” she said.

Nessa continued ranting without paying attention to her. “Did you go to that bar Hannah told you about? Was that where you met him? I knew that bar was fishy. A gin bar? I mean, come on, that’s for old people.”

“I...” Alice was at a loss for words. The gray in his hair. Yes, he had a few silver strands in the reddish mane he sported, but Nessa was taking it too far. Wasn’t she? “He—”

“I know you haven’t been on a date in ages with your anxiety and everything, but I’m sure you can do better than that.

” Her friend walked to the living room and threw herself on the couch.

“I’m going to take you out to a real party to meet some men our age.

You really need to go out more anyway. Didn’t your therapist say so?

I’m sure she would disapprove of the gray-haired grandpa. ”

She nodded automatically, but Alice wanted to scream.

“Nessa!” she wanted to cry out. “It’s none of your business who I date.

You’re always dating deadbeat losers and getting your heart broken.

” Instead, she remained quiet. Her heart racing and her palm and lips tingling where Axel had touched them.

She glanced at the door. She wanted him to return and finish what they had started.

This had been her second chance, and she had blown it again, allowing shame to control her life.

The crushing weight of reality settled on her shoulders.

She’d blown it. Once again, instead of taking the plunge she’d panicked and sent what she wanted away, missing out on something which could have been amazing.

“And even if it wasn’t, at least you would have tried . ” Her therapist’s voice seemed to whisper in her ear once more.

Well, it was too late now. He was gone. The moment had passed and would never repeat itself. She fought back the tears and struggled to pay attention to Nessa who was going on and on about her date that night with a financial analyst who was apparently loaded.

Focus, Alice.

His parting words snaked their way into her mind. “We’ll be in touch.” Her heart skipped a beat. Would he fulfill his promise? Would she have another chance?