Chapter Thirty

Now

It’s about three minutes to five when my phone rings. I smile when I see it’s Audrey calling. We hadn’t talked for long stretches at a time over the last few years, and now we’re chatting every day. True friendship really does last through the ages.

“Good evening,” I answer as I close my computer and gather my purse. “It’s Friday and this place is a ghost town.”

Audrey laughs. “Life’s too short to hang out at work late on a Friday night,” she assures me. “And I scored tickets to one of the hottest clubs in Portland.” She’s practically giddy.

“How’d you manage that?”

“I’m charming,” she says with a laugh. “I’ll be at your place at nine on the dot so be ready to party.”

“I don’t know, Audrey. It’s been a long week. I’m not sure I’ll last very long.” I hate disappointing her but the club scene isn’t my favorite weekend activity. Maybe when I was in my early twenties, but . . .

“No excuses. I’ll be there so look hot.” I try to form a reply when the line goes dead. I laugh. It looks as if I’m going to the club.

I’m excited as I get ready. Mason is home working in the studio and I tell him what I’m doing. I even invite him to come along, though I prefer a night out with just my girl. He barely acknowledges me as he gazes at his painting, saying he has to finish his work and I should have fun.

I sigh and go into the bedroom. I find the perfect red dress, one I haven’t worn in forever. I nervously pull it out, hoping it fits. Surprisingly, it not only fits, but looks better than it ever did before. This might be a great night.

I redo my makeup, going from a work look to a night-on-the-town appearance, darkening my eyes and painting my lips a bold red. I smile as I gaze at my reflection. With thirty minutes to spare, I go into the kitchen and make a sandwich. Carbs are good if I’m going to consume alcohol.

Audrey arrives a few minutes before nine, looking stunning in her black mini-skirt and sparkling top. Her blonde curls are up in a haphazard bun that appears as if she’s just thrown it on top of her head, but it probably took her an hour to do.

“You’re stunning,” I tell her.

She stares at me, a gleam in her eyes. I shift on my feet, wondering what’s wrong.

“What?” I finally ask. “Do I need to change?”

Audrey laughs and gives me a tight squeeze. “You don’t need to change a damn thing. You’re stunning.” She gasps, pushes away, and really looks at me. “I don’t know how your husband willingly lets you out of the house looking this good.” She looks back toward Mason’s studio and rolls her eyes.

“I don’t think he’s noticed me in a long time.” I’m not sad. I’m continuously numb, as if I’ve stopped caring.

“Well, we’re wasting time,” she says.

Outside at the curb a black sedan waits. Audrey planned our night well. Neither of us has to drive. Downtown Portland is never fun to navigate, but it sucks even more to be a designated driver when you’re trying to let go of the week and have a good time.

We find the club, which is one neither of us has been to before. It’s far more upscale than most of the places we’ve attended, with low lighting, crystal chandeliers, and soulful music instead of the constant pounding of club mixes. I instantly feel better about our night.

The clientele is a bit older. Certainly no one needs walkers to get around, but it isn’t a bunch of college kids looking to make as many mistakes as humanly possible. It’s a place I won’t mind returning to, though I bet it isn’t easy to score tickets.

Audrey and I share a few drinks, and she fills me in on her love life. The music switches back and forth from fun dance mixes that aren’t so loud our eardrums will burst, to slow, sexy tunes that have people falling into each other’s arms.

After half an hour of watching, we’re ready to dance. We leave our purses at a valet station and move to the floor. It doesn’t take long for a couple of men to approach. Audrey clings to one, giving him her most sultry smile, and he looks as if he’s just won the lottery.

The other guy appears nice enough, and there’s no harm in dancing. I try to stay close to Audrey, but quickly get lost on the dance floor, moving to the music and enjoying myself. It’s warm, but not so overwhelming I’m going to melt.

A slow song comes on and I freeze. The man I was appropriately dancing with gets a gleam in his eyes I don’t like. He moves in closer and tries to put an arm around me. I don’t want him to. I also don’t want to make a scene.

Before he can pull me against him, he stumbles back and I turn, my body freezing. Kaden is standing there, easily towering over the other man I was dancing with. Kaden is dressed in dark slacks molding his thighs. He wears a casual button-down blue shirt that looks devastating on him. I can’t help but notice how handsome he is, or how I react to him. Time freezes as we gaze at each other. The other man is instantly forgotten. Everyone else is gone from my mind.

“This dance is taken,” Kaden says.

The other man, who’s name I never learned, looks as if he’s going to protest. But Kaden just stares at him, and the man immediately backs off. I’m grateful.

Kaden pulls me into his arms, his hands resting on my lower back. I don’t hesitate to be in his embrace. I don’t feel guilt. I only feel pleasure. It feels good to be pressed against him.

I sway with him as he dances for a few wonderful moments. My eyes close as I lean my face against his hard chest. There’s so much about this man that’s irresistible. I want to get lost in him. That’s exactly what I do as his hands slowly move along my back.

But then an idea pops into my head and I lean back.

“Are you following me?” I ask. I’m not exactly sure how I’ll feel if he is.

He laughs. It’s such a strange sound coming from him. I realize I never hear joy in his tone. It seems foreign. I wait for his reply.

“I wouldn’t be against trailing after you,” he says. My eyes narrow. He chuckles again, the sound better than music. “My friend owns this place, and he finally talked me into stopping by for a visit. I haven’t seen him in a long time. We were sitting upstairs when I noticed your red dress — you’re incredibly sexy red dress. I figured fate is my friend tonight.”

The gleam in his eyes is dark and sultry and nearly impossible to resist. I don’t want to keep resisting. I can’t speak as he looks down at me, his eyes consuming me whole. My body aches. I need to be wanted.

“Miranda . . .” he says in a low, sexy whisper. My heart thumps. My fingers tighten on the back of his neck.

He pushes against my lower back and I feel his hardness pressing against me. He’s turned on and not afraid for me to know it. There’s no doubt I’m just as worked up as he is. All it takes is one sight of him, one simple touch of his hands, one look. He’s breaking down my defenses. I’m becoming his.

He moves his head. He’s going to kiss me. I meet him halfway. I don’t want to stop it this time. I need to taste him. His tongue slips into my mouth and our flavors mix. Mint and fire. It’s perfect. My arms tighten around him. I forget where we are. I don’t care if anyone notices us.

“Let’s go somewhere,” he says after a few minutes. One of his hands slips down my butt and lower to the hem of my short dress. His fingers slip up the back of my thigh and I feel like I’m going to burst.

His mouth trails down my jaw and over my neck; his wicked tongue dances on my skin. I can’t breathe. I don’t stop him. Audrey is close but I have no idea if she’s watching, if she even notices me. She’s been pretty entranced by the guy she’s dancing with.

“Come home with me, Miranda. Let’s stop torturing ourselves,” he says, his mouth circling my ear, his tongue tracing the edges. I want to say yes. I want to quit fighting my feelings. I want him. I don’t care how wrong it is.

His hand slides higher, and his fingers trace the edges of my thong. I tremble in his arms as I press my face against his shoulder. My head turns and I inhale. I can’t resist tasting him. My mouth opens and I lick his neck.

His moan is better than any music I’ve listened to. I melt. I cave to my desire. If we stay this way another few seconds I’ll allow him to pull me into a dark corner and take me right here in his friend’s club — damn the consequences.

Someone bumps into us on the crowded floor. It’s dark, a place meant to hide secrets. But the jostling is just what I need to come out of the fog Kaden has me in. I pull back, mesmerized by the dark desire burning in Kaden’s eyes.

He gazes at my face; his expression changes from desire to resignation. His hand leaves my backside and trails up my body then cups my face.

“I don’t do relationships, but I’m obsessed with you,” he says, the words filled with awe. “I’m beginning to think there’s nothing I won’t do for you.”

These aren’t the words that have me losing my breath, it’s the shock in his tone, the utter awe. I haven’t ever felt so wanted, so needed.

“Kaden . . .” I breathe his name like a plea. Am I about to ask him to take me home? I think so.

“Time to go.”

It takes a few seconds to realize Audrey’s voice breaks in on our intimate moment. I slowly turn and look at her smiling face.

“Sorry to interrupt, darling, but the jackass I was dancing with made a few crude suggestions that utterly ruined the mood, and there’s no way I’m walking out of here alone.” She turns and gives Kaden an assessing look before holding out her hand. “I’m Audrey. You must be Kaden.”

Kaden takes the moment in stride. He reluctantly lets me go. “Do I need to take care of someone?” he asks as he glances behind Audrey. There’s so much power in his voice that it sends another shiver through me.

“No. I’m good. But you can walk us out,” Audrey says. “I have a car waiting.”

Kaden sighs, finally taking Audrey’s hand. It’s more than obvious tonight isn’t going to end where he hoped it would. It’s for the best.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Audrey. I’d be more than happy to walk you out.”

She gives him a brilliant smile, and I look at both their faces. She’s available. She’s beautiful. It makes more sense for him to pursue her. That fills me with a sense of dread. I have no doubt Audrey wouldn’t accept his offer, but if he goes for her, it will hurt me. I hate that it will.

He shows nothing more than a polite interest in her. I hate how much I like that. Men tend to fall at Audrey’s feet. She’s unique, beautiful and like a unicorn — she’s mythical and uncatchable.

Kaden walks us outside, holding an arm for each of us. The crowd seems to part as we exit the dance floor, then gather our things from the valet.

He doesn’t kiss me when we get outside, but the look he gives me as he helps me inside the waiting car is one that will haunt my dreams. It’s full of hunger, full of regret.

I’m sure I look exactly the same. I ache, and I have a feeling there’s only one way this desire will be sated.

Kaden Alexander.