4. Madison
My body achedin places I didn’t know it was possible to ache. I was sore and pliant and so deliciously satisfied; I didn’t think I could move one single inch. Not that I was complaining.
My eyes opened just enough to let in the splintered glints of sunlight bouncing off the spire of One Liberty Place. I stretched and groaned. I had no idea what time it was. Maybe even what day it was. We’d gone at it most of the night. I lost count of the number of orgasms I’d had. The man couldn’t possibly be human. His stamina was next level—like the Energizer Bunny. He kept going, and going, and going.
With a sigh and a smile, I gingerly rolled over, hoping for another round, but the bed was empty. I ran my hand over the sheets, but they were cool to the touch.
“Hello?” I called. After all we’d done last night, it felt foolish not to know his name. A man gives you countless orgasms and the best sex of your life, you should at least know his name.
I swung my feet to the floor. “Hey, um… Trouble, do you want coffee? Are you hungry?” Forgoing one of the bathrobes the hotel provided, I wrapped myself in the bed sheet and ambled into the living room. “Hello,” I sang out, my voice wavering. “I’m starv?—”
The leather jacket so carelessly tossed onto the dining table was gone. So too were the boots, the watch. The belt he’d used to fasten my wrists together, so he could… Not that it mattered now. He was gone.
My body felt as if I’d spent hours with my personal trainer after he’d broken up with his girlfriend—again—and needed someone to take it out on. I padded into the bathroom and poked my head into the trash. Six condom wrappers—six!—but not one condom. That was weird. And gross. Did he take the used condoms with him?
I dropped the sheet and snatched a fluffy cotton robe from the closet.
Once and done. That’s all last night was supposed to be. We’d agreed not to exchange names—my idea—so there was no reason to be disappointed. Besides, I’d gotten exactly what I wanted. A one-night stand as a good riddance to Connor. And after last night, Connor’s memory was completely eradicated. The humiliation might take a bit longer to live down, but just knowing there were men out there who knew how to do what Trouble had done made it feel like the hurt would easily fade.
Who had time to plan a wedding anyway? My business was growing, and without anyone tying me down I could work as long and as late as I needed. Connor had seemed perfect in that we both led busy lives. Of course now I knew why he was busier than I would’ve expected. Well, he could go screw himself. One thing was certain, I wouldn’t be putting myself in that position again.
After last night, I should be good for a while by myself.
I found my clutch lying on the living room floor where I dropped it last night. I dug out my phone. Late morning, as I presumed, and yes, it was Saturday. I could go into the office—Lord knows, there was always plenty to do—but I wouldn’t. I’d order breakfast, shower, and then get my half of the couple’s massage I’d booked.
But first, coffee.
I’d just located the coffee pods, when I noticed two cards resting against the coffeemaker. One was about the size of a business card and the other, oddly, was a Starbucks gift card. I flipped the printed card over in my hands and read the two lines of text. My mouth hung open as I read it again.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Beneath the printed line was an illegible squiggle, a signature most likely.
I flipped the card into the trash then headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. But before I stepped in, I stalked back into the dining room and fished the card out of the receptacle. I read it again, but this time I laughed.
I’d known my companion from last night had been a player. Clearly. But this was next level. A thank-you card, signed, and a ten-dollar coffee gift card.
It was priceless, insulting, funny as hell, and so worth hanging onto. In fact, I should frame it, or at the very least keep it in a safe place where I could pull it out whenever I needed a reminder of last night.
I sniffed the card—definitely royal oud—and tucked it into my wallet. I left the gift card for housekeeping to use.
Too bad my mystery man had bolted. He’d definitely earned that round of applause.