Barclay

PH-D bursts with kinetic energy. Music vibrates with a rhythmic beat. People fill every inch of the space, raving with their hands in the air. Strobe lights flash off faces and walls while hedonistic desires fill the smoky air.

The atmosphere is wild and mesmerizing, exactly as I remembered from years ago. After I woke up from the party haze that filled my twenties, I swore I’d never walk through these doors again. Yet here I am, blending into the scenery like a weekly regular.

I’m parked on a leather couch next to Lucas. A glass of bourbon in my hand, and our special VIP section hidden in darkness, detached from the thumping crowds. The staff waits on our every beck and call, as they should for the price we’re paying for bottle service. But all the glitzy trimmings and gyrating bodies don’t distract me from my main attraction: Tessa. She’s dancing without a care in front of me alongside Lucas’s hookup for the night.

Tessa discards her jacket and tosses it in my direction on the couch. Her blond hair spills over her exposed shoulders and down her back. Her full breasts bounce and hips sway with the music. The pulse of the club pounds against my skin, but all my senses laser on her. I shift my weight in the seat, but nothing helps ease my craving for her.

When Tessa beams at me, I can’t breathe, because I realize where the source of her smile comes from. Pure joy. It’s from her heart, not something based on all the lust and booze being sold at the club. She radiates what’s missing here. Genuine happiness.

As the place continues to hum, I continue to watch Tessa move her delectable body. Her innocently seductive actions make my breath quicken and my heart race. I can no longer deny one fact: her hypnotic beauty has me under its spell.

I have no business falling for her, and not just because of her inexperience, which freaks me out. The main problem is she’s only temporary. Nothing is permanent. It’s like meeting that hot girl on a spring break hookup and promising you’ll call her when you get back to your college, knowing full well you’ll never see her again.

As much as I want to do wicked things to Tessa while she’s in the city looking for a job, I can’t forget she’s someone’s daughter and sister. The way she speaks about her family tells me they love her dearly. Who wouldn’t? I’ve changed since I last stepped foot into this club. I’m older now, and said goodbye to my player ways years ago, unlike Lucas, who’ll fuck any woman without a thought beyond getting off.

I rake my hands through my hair, wondering why a thirty-seven-year-old man is worrying about a young woman’s family. Hell, I haven’t even kissed her yet, but damn if I can’t imagine what it will be like when I finally do. Tonight, her head won’t hit the pillow without me tasting her sweet lips.

“She’s just …” Lucas interrupts my thoughts with a drunken slur.

A quick glance at Lucas finishes his sentence. He’s gaping at Tessa with his tongue practically sticking out of his mouth. She’s having the same effect on him. Neither of us can look away. Still, he needs to check himself, so I nudge him in the rib with my elbow.

“Ouch,” he shouts, rubbing his side.

“Watch your eyes,” I yell over the music.

“It’s kind of hard. She’s a fucking goddess. Guys would pay just to watch her move like this. Even fully clothed.”

Tessa’s downing her third glass of prosecco, making it her fourth for the night, and her inhibitions have loosened with each and every sip. Me? I’ve never sipped bourbon this slow, a calculated choice, since we’re both going back to the Hammond for the night.

“I’ve never seen this one at the escort service.” Lucas gives me a wicked smile. “Believe me, I’d have been first if I had.”

“Got to hell, Lucas. She’s not a piece of meat for you to paw at.” A rush of anger races through my veins, and I curl my free hand into a fist. “She’s from the South, not an escort service.”

“Well, what do you know? You like her. A lot,” Lucas marvels, holding up his hands. “But seriously, where did you find her? One-eight-hundred-jail-bait?”

“Don’t be stupid. She’s over twenty-one.”

“Barely.” Lucas gives me a pointed look. “Does she work at Hammond Press?”

“Are you kidding me? You know the rules,” I huff. It’s the reason I’ve given her leads for other companies. “Besides, I don’t mix my work and personal life. It never ends wells.”

“Tell me about it, but I’d make an exception to get in those jeans.” I flash him an evil eye and the side of his lips tip up. “Okay, Romeo. How did you meet her?”

“Over coffee.” Well … spilt coffee, but the details aren’t important.

I lock eyes with Tessa, and she beams back at me. Her hair and skin glow under the lights. She crooks a finger at me, wanting me to join her. I bite my lip and nod at her. What I’d like to do is take her back to the hotel and kiss her within an inch of her life, along with every inch of her skin.

“Huh? Like this angel just fell down from heaven into your lap.”

“Pretty much.” I pull a wad of cash out of my wallet and give it to Lucas for the bill. “We’re outta here.” I rise off the couch to join the blonde bombshell, drawing me to her like a moth to a flame.

“I had a courier leave the Yankee tickets at the hotel front desk. See you Sunday.” I release a deep breath. Dammit. I forgot I said I’d go to the game with him.

“Sure, Lucas.” I sigh, knowing I can’t back out this late, but I only have a few days left with Tessa. I need her to take me up on the offer to stay longer at the hotel, at least until she finds a job. I want her here permanently. “It’s after midnight. I’d better get Cinderella home.”

“Lucky fuck,” he scoffs.

“Yeah. I am,” I say, walking toward Tessa with a cocky grin.