The party is more crowded than I expected. I’m crushed in a corner with Evan against me, looking out an open window. I haven’t even seen Minette yet.

Evan is banging on about Emilia. I’m so fucking sick of hearing it.

“Look, man,” I say, cutting into his monologue, “we all knew it was going to blow apart. There’s no way the two of you are going to make it.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Evan says with some heavy emphasis. He’s quite drunk. “I should never have gone for her in the first place. She can’t accept me as I am. I can’t change… I mean, I’ve tried. I’ve really fucking tried, but this thing is a no-go.”

He stares into the crowd, face almost comically sad. I slap his shoulder lightly.

“Don’t sweat it, dude. There will be others.”

He shakes his head, gripping his beer tightly. “Not like this one. There’s never going to be one like this one. And I’m fucked, I’m totally fucked up. What does she want?”

“I hear you.” My voice sinks down to a whisper as soon as I see her—Minette.

She’s on the floor with Emilia, dancing.

Holy fucking shit! Dancing!

I can’t believe my eyes. She’s wearing an amazing, dark green silky dress that swishes up when she moves, showing off her long creamy thighs. Delicate straps chase across her shoulders, the straight neckline decorated with shiny beads in a growing vine.

Evan laughs at me. “Why don’t you go get her, buddy?”

“I can’t fucking wait.” My voice is stuck in my throat, and it comes out like a growl.

There are beauties all over that dance floor that my dick should be chasing. Instead, all I see is Minnie.

I stand up, throw down my bourbon in one gulp, and run a hand through my hair.

“Well, if you don’t hurry the fuck up, I’ll have to go and talk to Emilia. And I don’t want to do that. Everyone’s having a nice time. I don’t think they want to observe another screaming match.”

I’m listening, but I’m not really hearing him. I walk across the room like I’m striding across the savannah towards a lioness. Cool but confident.

Emilia sees me from where she’s dancing in front of Minnie. She waves, winks, and dives into the crowd.

Minnie swings around and fixes me with those dark blue eyes. For a moment, she looks terrified. Like she might run.

Then she smiles.

“Hello, Andy…that is your name, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…well, it’s Armand actually, but everyone calls me Andy.”

It was ridiculous of my parents to give me an artsy fucking name and then expect me to do law.

She sticks out her hand, and I take it. We shake.

“I’m Minette… Minnie.”

“Like Minnie Mouse?” I grin.

She laughs, a sweet giggle. “Yeah. Kind of. I had a few drinks. Emmy made me feel better, so I decided to come tonight. I really want to let go. Would you like to dance?”

“Right here?” I reach out and grab her waist. “Right now?”

She smiles. “Sure.”

She puts her arms on my shoulders, and I pull her towards me. It’s all happening so fast. I thought I was going to have to parade around nude to get her to notice me.

It’s strange, but I can’t even hear the music. We’re swaying, looking into each other’s eyes, but I have no idea if we’re following the beat.

There’s a silence around Minette. Like the horrors of the world stand still at her feet. I’m entranced.

She’s gorgeous, and I want to get to know every inch of her. She shifts under my hands, and my cock is practically leaping up out of my pants. As we move to the music, I start stroking her sides with my palms.

She pulls back a little, the vibrant green of her dress making her eyes shine darkly blue and setting off her pale hair.

“You’re hot,” I whisper in her ear.

She looks surprised and a bit confused. “Don’t you have a girlfriend here?”

I shake my head quickly. “No. No girlfriend.”

“Really?” Her hands grip my shoulders.

She’s hopeful. Expectant. Fuck, yes!

I slide my hands around her waist, bringing her closer to me. Fuck it. I’m going for it.

She’s hot, and I’ve got her here in my hands right now. She bends against me, and I know she wants me.

She’s as hot for me as I am for her.

“Hey, Minnie,” I begin.

“Yes?” She looks into my eyes.

“I think you’re gorgeous and lovely. Your flowers are beautiful. I want to know everything about you. I want to kiss away the sadness in your eyes. I can’t take it that you seem to live in pain. Let me try. Give me a chance.”

She strokes the side of my face, then she stands on tiptoe, our lips just inches apart. I cradle her head in one hand and lean down into the kiss.

Her mouth is hot and sweet. Gently, our lips play against each other, cautiously exploring with tongues.

She starts running her hands over my shoulders, and my cock is getting harder by the second. I don’t want to scare her. I’m pretty sure it will take more than one hot kiss to get her panties off.

She grips my hand, smiling as she pulls back. She takes a few steps away, tugging me along.

“Come on,” she whispers. “Let’s get out of here!”

She heads for one of the side doors in the apartment. Bedrooms, maybe?

Play it cool, I tell myself, don’t push.

It’s all about her and how far she wants to go. My cock feels painful already. I indulge in casual sex quite a bit, but I feel an intensity for Minnie that I’ve never felt before.

I don’t just want to bang the fuck out of her. I want to really find out what she loves and give it to her until that sad look in her eyes is gone.

As much as I’m turned on, I’m also in a state of wonder and disbelief. This morning, I introduced myself. Now, I’m touching her.

I knew it from the first moment I saw her. Once I touch her, I’m never letting her go.