Page 5
They talked. Switched cocktails to sparkling water. Ordered a plate of finger food from the kitchen. No one else ever came in. It was as if the bar at the Carlisle was caught in a time warp, keeping them separate from the world.
The bartender stopped in front of them. His smile was polite, and his brown eyes warm.
“I’m sorry, but the bar is closing. Is there anything else I can get you?”
They both reached for their wallets but he stopped her with a shake of his head.
“No. I’m putting it on my room tab.”
“You’re staying here?”
she asked, surprised. She’d assumed he was just stopping by for a cocktail.
“Yeah, I live downtown and have an early meeting next door. Figured I’d just stay and buy time.”
He scribbled something on the check and they stood up.
“I kept you up too late,”
she said, grabbing her purse.
“No. You didn’t.”
He treated her to another one of his devastating smiles and lightly touched under her elbow, guiding her through the bar. They stood before the doors leading out, stopping behind a large marble pillar. The lobby was shadowed and hushed, even as the rain pelted the windows with a fierce pressure.
They stared at one another.
“Do you have a car?” he asked.
“No. I walked, but I’ll call an Uber.”
“I can get a cab for you—let me go to the desk.”
She shook her head.
“Uber’s faster.”
She tapped the app.
“One minute away once I order it.”
He seemed to struggle with his next words. Her finger lay on the button to book her ride. The silence stretched as they waited for the other to do or say something, the connection between them humming with intensity. Hunger clawed at her belly for more of him. She wanted the opportunity to kiss those full lips; smell his skin; feel the bite of his fingers as she clung to his muscled length and surrender to her body. God, it had been so long since she felt like this.
“Will you at least tell me your name?”
he finally asked.
Sierra hesitated. Once she gave it, this entire evening would become real. They wouldn’t be seeing each other after tonight. Much better to keep their encounter anonymous, like a beautiful dream she could replay safely.
“I’d rather not.”
“Why?”
She smiled.
“Because this is too special to name.”
A soft curse broke from his lips.
“You’re right.”
Sierra clicked on her phone and ordered the Uber.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you decide to come sit with me?”
The answer sprung to her lips without hesitation.
“Instinct.”
Satisfaction flickered over his face. Slowly, he nodded. “Yes.”
It was time to go. Every second spent this close to him wore down the last of her barriers. Sierra couldn’t get greedy. Being with him for these hours was special. He reminded her there was something else for her other than the marriage that had slowly eroded her own identity.
“Goodbye,” she said.
His eyes sparked with regret. “Goodbye.”
He bent down to brush a kiss to her cheek, but she tilted her head upwards at the same time.
Their lips slid together in a whisper light touch.
Her entire being jolted at the contact. Her muscles clenched in a desperate effort to take a step back, but her senses were already demanding more, automatically leaning in. A growl vibrated in her ear. Hard hands gripped her hips as he did it again, pressing another barely-there kiss against her trembling mouth.
He pulled back an inch. Sierra held her breath. Heat burned between them. His glittering green-gold gaze crashed into hers.
And then they were kissing, a wild, hungry tangling of tongues as they pressed together in an effort for more. Sierra’s head spun at the taste of him—stinging whiskey and spice that made her spin. She opened her mouth to the silky, demanding thrusts of his tongue and let herself go under.
He broke away. Jaw tight, he grit out the words she barely registered.
“Cancel the Uber.”
Sierra managed a jerky nod.
Then followed him to his room.
He ushered her inside without a word. The room was dark and neither of them reached for the light.
Other than her first year at college, Sierra didn’t have much experience with one-night stands. To her, they were drunken, fumbling events that were more for release than connection. Events that were barely remembered in the morning after separation. But with this man?
Sierra wouldn’t forget a moment.
The fact scared her enough to speak up.
“This can only be for tonight.”
He looked at her, then slowly nodded.
“Okay. One night.”
“No names.”
A smile touched his lips. He closed the distance between them.
“No names.”
He reached out his hand.
“Shake on it?”
She smiled back and took his hand and then he was holding her and it was all over.
Over and over, through the hours of the night, they faded into one another; bodies slick with sweat, sheets tangled, the smell of sex lingering in the air. As dawn threatened, they finally collapsed into sleep.
The last words that drifted in her hazy memory were his ragged whisper against her ear.
“I don’t think I can ever let you go. And I don’t even know your name.”
Then there was nothing.
Sierra woke up.
Body sore, throat parched, she tried to move and found she couldn’t. Fighting down panic, she scanned her surroundings until her memory caught and held.
Last night, she’d slept with a stranger.
Last night, she’d fallen a little bit in love with a man who was nameless.
Turning her head, she gazed at him in sleep. Russet hair mussed from her fingers running through the strands. One muscled arm was slung over her, chaining her to the mattress. Full lips were slightly pursed. The sheets were tangled around his waist, giving her full access to the map of matted hair on his broad chest and hard abs that led in a perfect line to a secret garden of delights that she’d taken advantage of over…and over…and over.
Every memory slammed through her, ravaging the shreds of her control.
Oh, the things they’d done together. Things that made her scream and beg and shatter into multiple orgasms.
But it wasn’t just the sex. That would have been fine. It was the emotions already tearing her heart apart as she gazed down at him. Tenderness and hunger spiraled, making her want to reach out and touch him. Her entire body throbbed for more in any way she could get it.
Sierra closed her eyes and bit back a whimper. This was too much. How could she know someone so intimately without knowing anything about his current life? How could one night form such a bond, as if they were already deeply connected?
Panic struck.
She had to get out of here.
Glancing at her watch, she knew there was a small window of time before he woke. His breathing was deep and even, gorgeous face smoothed out in sleep. With careful motions, she removed his arm, and slid out of the bed.
He grunted. Frowned. Moved. Then settled.
Relief flooded her. She moved quick, gathering up her clothes and phone, quietly dressing like it was the apocalypse and she couldn’t wake the zombies. Heart pounding, she paused at the door, hand on the knob.
She could leave a note. Leave a number. Leave a clue. Something that would lead them back to each other. Because Sierra sensed she’d never meet a man like him ever again.
Her life flashed in slow images.
She worked at a clothes store in a small southern beach town. He was a millionaire and lived in New York.
She was newly divorced. He wasn’t interested in relationships or love.
She had no idea who she was anymore and she was tired of pretending she did. He knew exactly what he wanted and who he was without apology.
They were on different paths; different lives.
She wasn’t ready for someone like him.
It was time to figure shit out. On her own. Being with this amazing man in the real world may be another blockage or detour she couldn’t afford right now.
Emotion choked her throat. She gazed at him one last time, memorizing his face. She’d never forget last night. He’d changed her. Sierra was no longer afraid to begin tearing things apart to find her happiness. It was overdue. Staying in a loveless marriage and settling for satisfaction wasn’t the path any longer.
Better to leave now before she got more attached. There was no way she’d be able to walk out of here if he woke up and reached for her.
Sierra walked out the door and didn’t look back.