shower. Afterward, I pulled on a crisp white shirt that

not bother questioning. She was not usually the kind of woman who caught my attention

the black BMW without hesita

fragments of her expression, and I caught mys

endlessly, but I walked past it without slowing. The guards recognized me and waved me through. Inside, the pla

ng," he said, pulling me int

I'm here o

een part of it himself, until marriage gave him an exit most men ne

yet. I'm cover

he already was. Years showed in his lined features, his graying hai

d before adding, "I took the opp

ice lowered. "Did you

point, I would settle for finding his

orry,

ther into that weight, a waitress appe

a moment to breathe in the

the noise, and I did not need to tur

is

I could finish. She leaned in and planted

aid, greeting her

no idea you two

d I have

g herself. I bit back a laugh. John was older than m

'll exc

e a sharp look. He had never appreciated j

h deep red and black velvet couches that looked as indulgent as they felt. A pole stood at the center of

eady reaching for the buttons of my shirt. Her perfume was pleasa

d, calmly taking her hands away

oser to the railing, scanning th

and fun separate." I turned toward her and felt e

, but-" She cut me off by brushi

b us drinks." Without waiting for a re

e bar was overflowing, the dance floor just as packed, and Liz was nowhere in s

an open back that dipped to her waist. Heels lifted her posture and emphasized every curve. Just s

handed her a drink. She emptied the glass in one smooth mo

ell was I

r too confident. For a moment, I had

te myself. At least she knew

eaning in as if to kiss me. This time, I

out of the VIP section, leavi

nged to her, loose and unrestrained, every step effortless. The sight stirred something hot and unwelcome in my chest. My mind

wed his without hesitation, and the intimacy of it made my jaw tighten. Heat rushed through me, sharp and angry.

wn the steps and nearly knocking people aside. I never looked away from them. At the bar, I aba

ink slipped from my hand and spilled across her chest. She sucke

g flickered across her face-too unreadable to

berate movements, I began blotting the damp fabric. When the cloth brushed the space between her chest, a sharp surge ran

d herself. Without a word, she turned away and disappeared ag

lear. I needed to lose mysel

red another shot, letting th

king repeated attempts to steal kisses and push things further. Eventually, s

social circle. For the first time that evening, things seemed to align in my favor. I wanted her badly, and I

ded to

ugs before they drove off. She watched their car disappear and then cl

n us felt inevitable. I alr

d back against the seat. I knocked on the window, making her flinch

hat, Liz. One way or ano

r perfume filled the space, soft but unmistakable. I tried making conversation, letting it drift toward fl

ense. The idea refused to sit right with me, which only fed my curiosity. I

ment, maybe. If that were the case, it would not bother me. I knew exactly what I

ndominium, I walked str

for meals, one for guests, and one purely for leisure. Bathrooms were scattered everywhere, so many that I had lost count. The kitchen was

sage and told him t

linging to me. As the water ran, my thoughts ci