The Exchange was the one place in town that was pumping two nights in a row. I needed that, tonight. Last night, Sierra and I had come here but we’d been pulled over by these two guys that had wanted way more than a dance and a good make-out session. I was all about kissing on the dance floor – a little bit of alcohol and my inhibitions were lowered just enough to feel sexy – but I was a virgin.

So was Sierra. Last night, we’d made out with those two guys and I’d realized that we’d lead them on. I’d called it and we’d walked away.

I wasn’t a virgin for any other reason than that I just hadn’t found the right guy, yet. Sierra felt the same. Somehow, what had to be the last two virgins our age in LA had found each other.

When I’d moved to LA, I’d known no one. I’d been all alone in the new world but I’d wanted to pursue my career as an editor and a job opening as an editor’s assistant had gotten my foot in the door. It had yanked me out of the world of MC gangs and alcohol where I’d worked behind the bar at a Motorcycle club.

I’d arrived in LA with no friends, nothing but a job and an ad for a roommate of a woman I hardly knew. It had been dangerous. But no risk, no reward, right?

When I’d met the woman, it had been Sierra. She’d needed someone to help with rent. I’d needed a place to stay otherwise the next stop was under a bridge and somehow, we’d realized we had so much more in common than we’d thought.

Sierra and I headed to a different floor and we headed toward the bar. I was in the mood to drink. Tonight, I wanted to get wasted off my ass.

“Harper,” Sierra said after we’d thrown back our first shots for the evening. “Do they look familiar to you?”

I looked where she was pointing. It was the dark-haired guy from last night. He was flirting with some woman, half turned away from me, but I would know him anywhere.

As if he felt me looking, he turned around and stared right at me. His eyes were like ice, a blue so light it made me shiver. I turned back to the bar, feeling like an idiot.

Maybe it would be better to leave, I thought. I turned to Sierra. She was flirting with the bartender. We weren’t going any time soon. I ordered another shot for myself.

“I’ve got it,” someone said next to me and I knew who it was before I turned to look at him. Liam pushed a note across the bar and the bartender took it.

“Thank you,” I said.

“No sweat. You’re back.”

He looked good. He wore a black collared shirt with light jeans faded in all the right places and he looked fantastic.

“So are you,” I said.

“I am,” he said. “I was looking for a little bit of love. Some nights it’s harder to find than others.”

I realized he was referring to last night when I’d made out with him, ground my ass against his erection and then left him like none of it had been as delicious as it had been. I threw back my shot.

“So, why did you do it?” Liam asked after I put the empty shot glass on the counter and took another swig of my drink. The alcohol buzzed through my system and I welcomed the flare of heat that it sent through my body. It pooled between my legs when I looked at Liam and I knew that it wasn’t just the alcohol turning me on.

“Do what?” I asked. I was being coy – it gave me time to think.

“You walked away from me.”

I shrugged, nonchalant.

“You know,” Liam said, “women don’t usually walk away from me.” He grinned. He was so hot. He had a square jaw, a nose straight as an arrow and brows that were not too thick and not too thin.

“I guess there’s a first time for everything,” I said and smiled sweetly. Liam chuckled and his laugh was smooth like velvet on my skin.

I looked over my shoulder at Sierra. Another guy had approached her and she was smiling and laughing, flirting.

I settled down for a conversation with Liam. We made small talk, flirting, laughing, and drinking. My head felt light and airy, my veins were on fire and it was safe to say I was sufficiently drunk.

He was just a player, I told myself. He was a hot guy I met in a club that wanted nothing but a piece of me before he moved on. He wasn’t anything worth spending time with – he was trouble on wheels. I had to remember that.

“So, why don’t you throw a dog a bone and give me your number?” Liam asked.

I shook my head. “No,” I said. You’re nothing but trouble.” I couldn’t help but smile as I said it.

“Come on, babe,” he said, leaning closer to me. He brushed the back of his hand against my cheek and my breath hitched in my throat. I wasn’t supposed to get this worked up over some asshole I barely knew.

I shook my head but I’d already decided to do it. Maybe that was because I was drunk. Maybe it was because Liam was extremely hot.

“Fine,” I said and scribbled my number on a napkin for him.

“Now, pretty lady, I want to dance with you,” he said after pocketing my number.

He held out his hand and I took it, letting him lead me to the dance floor. I was unsteady on my feet – I’d had more than I’d realized – and I was glad for his support. When we stepped onto the dance floor I tripped and stumbled but Liam caught me, my body pressed up against him. I looked up into those blue eyes and they were darker than they’d been before, pupils dilated.

“Watch your step,” he breathed but he started moving, keeping me against him, the beat of the song pulsating through him.

He gyrated his hips against mine and it was impossible to miss how hard he was through his jeans. I wanted him. Need washed through my body, tightening the muscles at my core. Liam dipped his head and he kissed me. He tasted amazing – like alcohol and the promise of something darker.

We moved to the music like this, his body flush against mine, the line of his sex pressing against my crotch and I ached for something more.

“Come with me,” Liam mumbled against my lips.

I was past the point where I wanted to say no. A small voice at the back of my head screamed that he wanted more than what I was willing to offer but it competed against the alcohol and the burning desire at the pit of my stomach.

Liam led me away from the thumping music.

“Should we be here?” I asked when he led me into the VIP area.

“Absolutely,” Liam said. He led me to the VIP bathroom and locked us inside. The music was a dim thud in the background and the two of us were alone in the stall. Liam didn’t waste any time. He pushed me up against the wall, pinning my body with his and kissed me again.

His tongue snaked into my mouth, his hips grinding against my crotch. I moaned and gasped, melting into my panties.

“You’re so fucking hot, baby,” Liam said through his kisses. He ran his hands down my body. I wore a low-cut top and a skirt tonight and in no time at all his hands were under my shirt on my bare skin.

Liam’s head was in my neck, his lips on my skin. He kissed and nibbled his way down as his hands found my breasts, pulling down the cups of the bra. He found my nipples and rolled them between his thumbs and forefingers and I cried out. My hands were in his dark hair, tugging a little.

“Yeah, baby,” Liam mumbled in my neck.

One hand stayed on my breast. The other moved down, pulling up my skirt so that it sat around my waist. Without ceremony, Liam pulled the G-string aside and pushed his fingers into my slit. I moaned softly, the feeling a surprise and exactly what I wanted, all at the same time.

His fingers played at my clit and I moaned, my body shuddering as he worked me up into a frenzy. I gasped and moaned. An orgasm built inside me, pleasure flowing through my body, spreading from my core as he fingered me.

“Come for me, baby,” Liam said and the orgasm shattered through me. The wave of pleasure rendering me useless. I was blinded by the surge of pleasure before it subsided.

Liam’s eyes were a bright blue, dark, his pupils so dilated I could barely see the rim of color around it. His lips were parted, his tongue darting out to lick his lips and I knew what he wanted.

Sex.

I could suddenly think clearer. I tugged my skirt down and stepped to the side, out of Liam’s reach.

“I have to go,” I said.

“What?”

“Thank you for a great evening,” I said and turned around. I opened the door and slipped out of the bathroom before Liam could do anything to call me back.