Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
K acey
Men.
All brawn and no brains.
Yet my supposed hero made an instant impression the moment he’d stood. He was tall with broad shoulders and the suit was unable to hide that the man was made of all muscle.
What had caught my attention and kept it was the way his eyes flashed, as if lightning had spiraled its way down from intense and dark storm clouds. The way he eased them down the length of my frame made me suddenly forget my name. I was never awestruck by anyone, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
There was a distinct hunger inside of him that kept me on the edge. I wasn’t certain whether to be frightened of him or grateful.
The smart girl inside reminded me that playing with fire could only result in a burn that could tarnish everything I was attempting to do. However, I’d listened to her for far too long. I was tired of being that girl, the one who never had any fun.
Unless you considered spending Friday and Saturday nights with popcorn, a frozen pizza, and a carton of ice cream in front of an action flick as adult excitement. Why was I suddenly out of breath?
It seemed all the good girl resolutions I’d enacted were ready to fly out the window. My nipples were tight peaks, easily seen through the thin material of the dress.
No way. I reenacted the events on the night in New York and was able to pull my gaze away from the man with the stunning physique.
“I could have handled that myself, but I guess I should say thank you.” It was a rare sight to see a man stepping in to interfere with anyone being assaulted. That was the way of New York, which was why I’d been surprised.
“But you won’t?” He seemed amused. Certainly not hurt. Holy hell in a handbasket. The mystery hero had the most powerful, deep, and seductive voice I’d ever heard. The baritone was husky yet natural, nothing like the faked accents and rebel twangs assholes had used in their attempt to gain my attention.
Breathe.
“No, I won’t. I have a feeling you’re the kind of man who would create a situation just to rush in as the caped hero.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I never wear capes.”
I allowed myself one last gaze. “Perhaps you should. That would certainly make your flirtations seem both more admirable and real.”
“Who says I’m not real?” He powered back another gulp.
“I can see through a man’s intentions fairly easily.”
He chuckled. “Did you ever think you could be wrong?”
“I’m never wrong.”
“Ah. Of course not.”
The mystery man interfering had initially irritated me, but I’d reminded myself maybe, just maybe he was only trying to do something nice. I took a sip of my drink. Being the bitchy girl was more difficult than I’d originally thought.
“I’m curious. Why interfere?” He was also the most handsome man I’d seen. It was obvious he was someone of importance given the make of his expensive suit and I sensed a natural air of arrogance. He had dark, curly whiskey-colored hair and the longest eyelashes I’d ever seen on a man, and I could easily get lost in his chocolate eyes. Wow. Men like him usually irritated the hell out of me, especially when they acted like I was a damsel in need of rescuing.
This time was different. This time I was flattered.
“Because I don’t like to see anyone, let alone a gorgeous woman, being assaulted or taken advantage of. I’m not that kind of man. You can do much better than a used car salesman who will paw you like a useless bear, never taking your needs into consideration. Men like him don’t deserve to breathe the same air as a woman of your caliber.”
If he was pushing for a flirty response, I wasn’t about to give him one. However, his words sizzled something deep inside, my core already heating. The butterflies were back, only this time because of a hint of excitement.
Our interaction felt dirty, forbidden.
My nipples were suddenly aching and I forced myself not to notice the slight stubble growing on his powerful jaw or the way his trousers stretched across his massive legs and the huge bulge between them. He was older yet distinguished. Oh, hell. The description wasn’t fair. He was the epitome of a linebacker mixed with the face of a god. My mind wandered only briefly to what he’d look like under his tailored clothes.
My God, the man was looking directly at my nipples, licking his lips like a wolf who’d cornered his prey. Oh, no. I wasn’t going down that road.
He seemed so sure of himself. The aura surrounding him continued to indicate power. He was no doubt the kind of guy everyone noticed when he walked into the room. If I had to guess, I’d say he commanded an audience. I found that strangely attractive. He was purposely keeping his head tilted and turned toward the overhead television.
Maybe he didn’t want to scare me or seem as presumptuous as the creep he’d just tossed from the bar.
“Then I need to ask. What kind of man are you?”
He slowly turned his head and I noticed the golden specks surrounding his irises. With his high cheekbones and chiseled features, I’d call him mesmerizing.
If I was the kind of woman to be taken in by looks alone. Fortunately, I’d learned a long time before that men could easily hide under expensive clothing and polished shoes, acting as if they were gentlemen when they were in fact beasts in disguise.
“I’d like to think I’m a decent man with honest needs.”
Not a bad answer. “What do you need?” I shouldn’t have asked.
He chuckled and brought his glass to his lips. Even they were sensual, his full mouth one I could envision kissing for hours. If he was into that kind of thing. I certainly wasn’t. Kissing was intimate, more so than having sex. A kiss indicated possibilities I had no time for in my controlled life.
“Many things.”
“Like?”
I was well aware he was leading me on, perpetuating the conversation but I’d only arrived in town a couple of hours before, barely settling into the room when the loneliness had kicked in. No, that wasn’t a good position for me to be in, but I’d had a moment of self-doubt. Not that this fruity concoction was providing any boost in confidence. I had no idea why I’d chosen something so… girlish.
“Like the enjoyment of spending time with a beautiful woman.”
His answer had me chuckling. “Now, that was a smooth pickup line. Perfect in my book.”
“Is that what I was doing?”
He knew exactly what he was doing.
I played the game as well as any man. I took a sip of my drink, taking the time to lick the sugar crystals off the rim before giving him a hard look and answering, “Absolutely. Why not?”
His smile meant I’d played a decent hand. “I must agree.” Without asking, he rose from the barstool, moving to the one next to me. When he sat down, he stared at the glass and snorted. “How is the tropical drink?”
I’d finally had enough, pushing it away. “Terrible. I never drink fruity drinks. Ever.”
“Then why now?”
His question deserved a thoughtful answer. “Because I’m in the first moments of altering my life. I thought something new would be a wonderful kickoff. I was wrong.”
The unknown sexy man immediately motioned for the bartender. “Please bring the lady whatever she’d like and nothing with pineapple juice.”
The guy grinned. “What would you like?”
I glanced at the mystery man’s glass. “Whatever he’s having.”
“A bourbon girl.”
“Sometimes.” Now that was a big, fat lie. However, why not be bold? Daring?
“I consider you to have excellent tastes.”
“In all things,” I countered.
He took a chance, although his mannerisms were easy. Practiced. “Does that include in men?”
His eyes penetrated mine and he was definitely searching for the answer he wanted to hear. “Always in men.”
“Good to know.” He powered back another gulp of his drink and I was allowed a brief vision of the thick cords in his neck. He was obviously in very good shape.
My wicked mind wandered again.
The drink appeared in front of me and as I lifted the glass, mystery man waited for my reaction. It was as if he could see right through me to the little white lie. I was certainly full of them. The staunch liquid was smooth, more so than I’d imagined, the ripe, smoky taste countering the sticky sweetness still inside my mouth.
“And?” he asked, his tone even huskier than before. If that was even possible.
“Smooth. A hint of citrus with notes of cinnamon and cherry. I even taste a little black pepper. If that’s possible.”
“Aged in cherry oak barrels and your description is perfect.” He lifted his glass for a toast. “Given I was your caped hero if only briefly, can you honor me with your name? First name only.”
He was damn good at playing the game. He’d honed in on exactly what he wanted and I had a feeling he wasn’t going to allow me to simply walk away.
“Kacey.”
“Well, Kacey, I’m Sebastian.”
“The name suits you.”
“And why is that?”
“Rugged yet sophisticated.”
He smirked around his glass as he brought it to his lips again. “I’ve been told it’s too cold, an indication that I’m a ruthless man.”
“And are you?”
“Absolutely. In business and in pleasure.” The look his gave me was full of heat yet subtle like the man. While he’d provided an example of his power, he was also highlighting the fact he could hold back, tossing a lure and waiting.
I’d always considered myself a good girl. I didn’t have one-night stands. I’d never gone home with an unknown man in my life. I obeyed all rules, had never even thought of being engaged in a crime and had made straight A’s all throughout school.
But the images floating in my mind had turned primal, boosting needs I hadn’t known existed. I’d driven men away for so long I had no idea how to crack open the door to the woman inside. And dear God, I wanted nothing more than to let go, to share a few hours with an absolute stranger that I’d never see again.
I was suddenly nervous, which surprised me. No matter the grindstone type of work I did, being speechless had never entered the picture. I’d gotten myself into trouble more times than I could count by saying exactly the way I felt.
“What do you do for business, Sebastian?”
“Is that what you really want to know, or are you curious how I handle pleasuring a woman?” His fiery gaze was a stark invitation.
The question was out there. If I was smart, I’d laugh it off, pay for my tab, and leave the bar.
If I was smart.
But I was alone and anxious, fearful I didn’t have what it took to start over again. And I wanted something warm and solid. The invitation became a beacon of light, the nervous tic in the corner of my lip nothing in comparison to the heated throb in my pussy.
This was reckless and stupid, but for once, I craved feeling alive and wanted.
Yet I’d never see him again. I’d never have to face embarrassment over doing something so… sinful.
“What if I said I preferred knowing about pleasure?”
Sebastian tossed back the remainder of his drink, the hard thud as he dropped the glass onto the bar jarring. “Then I’d need to ask if you have a room in this hotel?”
Don’t do it. Don’t… do it.
But I did.
“Yes.”
He stood, yanking out his wallet and tossing several bills onto the bar. As he grabbed my hand, squeezing my fingers, I wondered if I’d just sealed my place in hell. “Then you’re coming with me.”