Chloe

I tug my dress back over my head while he’s in the washroom. He didn’t say anything after we both came. He held me briefly and then stood up. I’m not sure what I was expecting since this is the only one-night stand I’ve ever had.

Am I supposed to leave before he reappears?

Do I wait around so I can thank him for what just happened?
I’m tempted to text my friend, Gabi, to ask. I wouldn’t call her an expert on one-night stand protocol but I know she’s had at least two so in our small world, she has more experience than I do.

“Can I see you again?”

His wickedly sexy voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn toward it, wanting to get at least one more parting glance of his face.

I’m gifted with much more than that. He’s nude. His spectacular body is on full display and framed by the light filtering in from the washroom.

He’s sculpted and muscular; the definition of perfection. He must spend half of his time at the gym. If I looked as good as he does, I’d stand naked in front of a stranger too.

“Jane?” He huffs out a laugh with a shake of his head. “Give me your real name and tell me when I can see you again.”

“How do you know that my real name isn’t Jane?”

“I know.” He steps closer to where I’m standing next to the bed. “You used that name because you didn’t want to know me. You do now.”

“Do I?” I try to laugh too but it comes out more like a desperate cackle.

“You enjoyed yourself tonight.”

I don’t know why but I like that he’s confident enough to make declarations about what I’m feeling. He’s right but I don’t want him to know that.

“You enjoyed yourself too, Evan.”

“You’re fucking right I did.” He bends to pick up his boxer briefs. “I want to enjoy myself again so tell me when that will happen.”

This may be my first one-night stand but I know that by definition they last one single night and then the connection is over, forever. I don’t need any complications in my life at this point. I’m still trying to untangle myself from the only relationship I’ve ever had with a man.

“I think we should walk out of this room as strangers who shared a good time. “

“I’ve had my tongue inside of you.” He cocks a dark brow. “We’re not strangers anymore.”

A little burst of laughter escapes me before I bite my bottom lip. “I guess I can’t argue that point, can I?”

I watch as he finishes dressing, taking note of the fact that he tugs his phone from the front pocket of his pants.

“Give me your real name and number.” His gravelly voice travels right to my core.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sound of it or any other part of him. A man like this doesn’t cross my path often…well, never, if I’m being truthful.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say reluctantly.

I know that he’s looking for another hook up and if I thought I could handle that, I’d take his phone from his hand and key my contact information in myself. He’s the kind of man I could get addicted to. Eventually, I’d want more and that can’t happen.

“Why not?” He eyes me. “We’re sexually compatible. We like each other.”

“You like me,” I shoot back. “I didn’t say I like you.”

The corners of his full mouth rise into a brilliant smile revealing perfectly straight white teeth. “You like me, Jane. You want to see me again.”

“I’m not giving you my name or number.”

“Fair enough.” He steps even closer. “I won’t push but let me make something clear.”

I swallow hard as I look up at him. “What?”

“I’m going to spend weeks, if not months, stopping every blonde I see on the streets of Manhattan in the hope that it’s you.”

I want to say that I doubt he’ll remember me after tonight, but the intense look on his face tells me that there’s at least a seed of truth in his words.

He’s sinfully handsome. He wants me and all my insecurities are screaming that I need to walk out of this room and away from him forever.

He starts toward the main room and I follow, knowing that the chances that we’ll run into each other again are slim. New York City isn’t a big place but it’s filled with millions of faces and over time it’s easy to forget someone you spent only a few hours with.

“I’ll call down to the front desk to have them flag down a taxi for you, Jane.”

It’s considerate. It’s also unnecessary. There are a fleet of cars with drivers at the ready for anyone attending the wedding that needs a ride home tonight. The reception isn’t set to end for another thirty minutes so I’ll be able to get back to my apartment without a problem. “I have that covered.”

He leans down and brushes his lips over mine. “Get home safely, beautiful. I promise I won’t follow you.”

A smile teases the corner of my mouth. I should walk out of here and not look back. We had fun and if we part like this, I’ll have the memory of this night forever.

I reach for the door handle and then turn back to get one last look at him. His hair is mussed, his shirt is dishevelled and he’s eyeing me with a need that is palpable. I could leave and try my best to forget about him, or I can guarantee that our paths cross again.

I look him straight in the eye. “If you happen to stop by the Roasting Point Café at the corner of Lexington and 42 nd any weekday morning around eight, you’ll find that blonde you’re looking for.”

“Good to know, Jane. That’s good to know,” he says with a sly grin before I turn and leave, with the hope that I’ll see him bright and early on Monday morning.