The club is packed to the brim. There must be two hundred people on the dance floor. It's a mix of tourists and locals, celebrities and ordinary people, the barely legal and the pushing forty.

The crowd has one thing in common—amazing style. The guys are in suits. The women are in tight cocktail dresses and shiny heels.

Kara locks arms with me. "Let's start with a drink. If you want."

My shoulders tense. I roll them back, but it does nothing to relax them. Deep breath. I'm twenty-one. Drinking is normal. Fun. Maybe the only way I'll actually allow myself to dance with a stranger. "Yeah. I do."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Kara leans over the bar, squeezing her arms together to highlight her cleavage. The bartender notices instantly.

"What are you drinking?" He stares at her chest.

"A paloma for my friend. Actually, two palomas." She turns to me. "It's like a grapefruit margarita. You'll adore it."

My heart flutters. "Okay."

I scan the room. There's a VIP area in one corner. I can just make out a few famous faces—a singer known for her outlandish costumes and the stars of this awful teen soap I totally never, ever watche

"Here you go, ladies." The bartender offers up our drinks.

Kara pays and she drags me to a velvet booth. It's plush and soft and there's a curtain in front. I pull the curtain closed, and suddenly we're hidden from view. It goes to just past our knees and it blocks out the rest of the club.

They're sex curtains.

Kara pulls the curtain wide open. "Don't get any ideas." She sips her frothy pink drink. "Shit, you really are going to love this."

I take a sip. It's amazing—tart and sweet with the faint taste of alcohol. My face flushes. I already feel more relaxed.

"I want fifty of these," I say.

"Going from zero to drunk pretty fast there." She slides her arm around my shoulder. "But I get it. You don't want to think about that asshole, but not all your brain cells are cooperating."

"They can either assimilate or be destroyed."

Kara laughs. "I missed this Meg."

"Me too."

She downs half her drink. She looks at me like she's reading a gauge. "I see a few hot guys, and they look lonely. Want to fix that?"

I polish off my drink, stand, and smooth my dress. "Well, we can't have lonely, hot guys."

We move to the dance floor.

There's barely any wiggle room. I've never been a big dancer, but there's something intoxicating about the thumping music and the soft blue-purple lighting. I throw my arms over my head and sway my hips in time with the beat.

Kara laughs. She drags me farther into the fray. We dance like we're the only two people here. I look around the club. It's built just like the place where Sinful Serenade had their secret show, only with a smaller stage and more room to sit.

The music fades into the next song. I circle my hips and roll my shoulders. Usually, I feel so insecure about my dancing. But tonight, anything goes.

A cute guy comes up to me. He's wearing a gray suit, and he's a little stiff. A total Business Guy. He motions as if to ask me to dance. I look back to Kara. She mouths go for it. So I do.

I press my back against his chest. He grabs my hips, holding my body against his. I close my eyes, trying to inhale the sensation, but there's nothing there. It doesn't hold a candle to Miles.

I turn around so I'm facing Business Guy. He's cute. Nice eyes, clean haircut. I slide my arms around his shoulders. He moves his hands to my waist.

He really is handsome. And he smells good. His body is hard. Not his cock—I'm not that close—but his arms and his chest.

He's safe, comfortable. I'm not going to fall in love with him. It could be one easy night.

He leans closer, his mouth a few inches below my ear. He's quite a bit shorter than I am, and I'm wearing three-inch heels.

"Can I buy you a drink?" he asks.

"Yeah." I wave goodbye to Kara—she's already dancing with a jock—and follow Business Guy to the bar.

He slides his hand around my waist and over my hip. It's a little much so soon, but there's something nice about his touch. Not electrifying. Just nice.

"I'm Johnathan," he says.

"Meg."

"What are you drinking, Meg?"

"Paloma."

He signals the bartender and orders our drinks. Whiskey on the rocks for him. Paloma for me. Figures I'm drinking something girly and pink.

I take another look at Business Guy. Johnathan. He is cute. And he seems nice enough. He probably owns his own house. Not a mansion in Malibu, but a modest house somewhere nice. He'd probably take me to breakfast in the morning then never call me again.

The bartender arrives. Drinks are ready. Johnathan hands the pink one to me and raises his glass to toast.

Whatever. I'll toast. To all the lonely people in the club.

He scans my body. It's sexy when Miles looks me over, but this is awkward. I pull my arm over my chest. I don't want Johnathan picturing me naked.

"Do you go to school around here?" he asks.

"UCLA."

"Let me guess your major."

Oh, lord. I take a long sip of my drink and nod politely. He bought me this amazing grapefruit concoction. I'll entertain his guessing game.

"Sure," I say.

He scratches his chin. "There's something intellectual about you."

Yeah, I look really intellectual in this tight silver dress. Does he use this line on every girl he meets, or just the ones who strike him as gullible?

I take another sip. It's perfection. I guess I can entertain him for another thirty seconds. "Is there?"

"Yeah… I can see you curled up in bed with a good book."

"What kind of book?"

He smiles. "History."

My drink is empty, but the good news is that my head is spinning. There's something amusing about Johnathan. It's been a while since I've been tipsy, but I'm sure it's the alcohol talking.

"Excuse me." A familiar voice cuts through the room.

And Miles steps in between me and Business Guy. Johnathan. What the hell is Miles doing here?

"You mind, buddy?" Johnathan says.

"I do, actually." Miles plants his hand on my hip. "Since when do you drink?"

"Since tonight." I swat him away like my body isn't humming from his touch. "I'm having a conversation."

"You don't seem interested," Miles says.

"None of your business what I seem anymore. Excuse me." I step away from Miles and lean over the bar the same way Kara did. "Another paloma please!"

"How many have you had?" Miles asks.

"Oh, let me check. Hmmm. That's also not your business."

"I'm talking to the lady," Johnathan says.

Miles turns and glares like he's going to deck Johnathan right in the mouth. It works.

Johnathan steps back. He mutters something under his breath and disappears into the crowd.

Miles brings my attention back to me. "What the hell are you doing?"

"You're the one who followed me here. What, did Kara rat me out to you?"

"Drew."

"Asshole acted like he could keep a secret." I shake my head. "Did he at least tell you to apologize?"

Miles nods. "Threatened to break my jaw if I broke your heart."

"I knew there was something I liked about him."

Miles reaches for my hand.

I take a step back. "Last time I checked, we're nothing. So what the hell are you doing following me to clubs?"

"I wanted to see you."

"To what—screw with me one last time? Leave me alone."

He leans closer, until his chest is pressed against my back. "I can't."

"Sure you can. It's called self-control. You made yourself clear a hundred times. You don't do boyfriend. You don't fall in love. Hell, you want to be alone. You didn't have any right to scare that guy off."

"You'd rather he be the one pressed against you?"

I bite my tongue. "Doesn't matter. We're nothing."

His mouth hovers over my ear. "I miss you."

"You miss fucking me."

"No, I miss you." He digs his fingers into my hips and pulls my body closer. "Let's talk somewhere private."

"Oh, you want to talk now that you can't have me." I press my palms against his hips. I mean to push him away, but my hands like his hips so much they linger there. "You had a million chances to talk. I'm not interested in talking to you anymore."

"But you'd fuck me."

I stare into Miles's eyes. As usual, he's unflinching. Staring through me like he's untouchable.

Heat surges inside me. I'd certainly like to fuck him. His body already feels so damn good.

"Yes," I say. "I'd do it right here."

"Are you drunk?"

"Not yet."

Right on cue, the bartender drops off my drink. Miles pulls a twenty from his wallet, slams it on the bar, and waves the bartender away.

I grab my drink and make a move for the booths. Miles follows, but I ignore him.

I take a seat and wrap my lips around the straw. It's just as sweet and tart as my first drink, but this time I'm much more desperate for the release from my inhibitions. There's this nasty bit of politeness in my brain keeping me from telling Miles exactly what an asshole he is.

Miles sits next to me. He's wearing Converse, jeans, and a t-shirt. Even his clothes are cool and casual.

I down half my drink. "Can I help you somehow?"

"I should have told you about my recovery."

"Hmm, so close to an apology, yet something is missing."

His eyes find mine. "I'm sorry I kept that from you."

I finish my drink and slam it on the table. "I appreciate the apology, but it's not enough."

"Meg." His voice is low, desperate. He pulls the curtain closed so we're hidden from view.

"You're playing a game, but nothing has changed. You don't respect me. You don't love me. You don't trust me."

He pushes a stray hair behind my ear. "I respect you."

"And the other two?"

"I don't know." He traces the outline of my collarbone. "I've never done the other two before."

His fingertips skim the neckline of my dress. My body buzzes with want. He feels so much better than Business Guy. He feels so much better than anything.

"Let me take you somewhere quiet," he says.

I squeeze my thighs together. "I don't want to talk."

He pulls the strap of my dress aside and slips his hand into my bra. "I do."

I bite my lip. "You're not exactly encouraging conversation."

He rubs my nipple. "Is this really all you want from me?"

His eyes meet mine. There's a desperation in his expression. He means this. He wants more from me, more than sex.

But I'm not so sure.

His hand works its magic on my breast. Damn, he's good at this. Want builds in my core.

I need Miles. Now.

His eyes light up. He knows he's driving me out of my fucking mind.

"Will someone see?" I ask.

"No." He rubs me with his thumb. "Would you care if they did?"

Right now, I don't care about anything but him touching me. I only barely manage to shake my head.

Miles leans closer. "Answer me. Please. Is this really all you want from me?"

His lips are inches from mine. I close my eyes and kiss him. He's soft and warm, and he tastes like Miles. Like coming home.

"No," I breathe. "But I'm never going to get what I want from you."

"What makes you so sure?"

I copy his words, the ones he used to explain why he was so sure he'd never fall in love. "I just know."

He drags his thumb over my nipple, sending pangs of lust to ever corner of my body.

My breath hitches in my throat. "There must be two hundred people here."

"I know." He slides his hand between my thighs. "But I'm not leaving until I hear you come."

"Miles." A groan escapes my lips.

"That's a start." He unhooks my bra.

Then his hands are on my panties. He doesn't waste any time. He pulls them to my knees and runs his fingertips over my clit.

I bite my lip to keep from screaming. God, I missed this. I missed him. I missed everything.

I press my lips into Miles's. He kisses back hard like he's claiming me as his. My head is swimming. This is wrong, this is dangerous, but this is so fucking good.

He pulls me onto his lap. I plant my knees on the bench, straddling him.

I sink into his body. He's hard. I need that.

I tug at his t-shirt. "Let's go someplace quiet. Like you said."

His breath is warm on my neck. His fingertips are light on my thighs. "Hmm… Let me check. Have I heard you come yet?"

I shake my head.

He smiles. "Then I'm not leaving yet."

With the curtain closed, we're out of view. Still, it feels naughty and dangerous, undressing in public.

It's exciting.

All those awful you shouldn't do this thoughts swirl around my brain, but in my inebriated state, they simply fly away. This is far from my best idea. Someone might see. Miles might think I forgive him. That this means I'm his.

I still don't know if I can be his for the long haul. But for tonight, it's perfect.

His touch is gentle as he strokes me. I kiss him hard, digging my nails into his shoulders.

The noise around us fades. I'm on top of the fucking world.

This is easy.

Life is easy.

Being with him is easy.

My body fills with pleasure. It spreads from my core all the way to my fingers and toes.

He strokes me with an even rhythm. Again, and again, and again. An orgasm wells up inside me. It's so tight, so tense, so fucking amazing.

I bring my mouth to his ear and moan his name again and again. A wave of pleasure washes over me. Every bit of tension in my body releases.

It feels so fucking good.

He kisses me. I sink into him, my chest against him, my thighs against his. I can still feel him—hard through his jeans.

I grind my crotch against his. "Fuck me. Please."

His eyes are heavy with desire. "I fucking missed you." He tugs at my dress, exposing my breasts. He flings my bra aside. "I'm been going out of my mind thinking about you."

"Like this?"

He pulls my dress lower. "Like everything." He grabs my hips and lifts me. "This is going to be quicker than I'd like."

"I don't care." I shift closer to him. "As long as you're inside me."

"Mhmm." He unzips his jeans, shoves his boxers aside, and wraps his hand around his cock.

Yes, please. I shift my hips so I'm hovering over him. He grabs me, bringing me down hard.

I gasp as Miles enters me. It's like coming home, like I'm exactly where I need to be. I grab his shoulders and shift over him, pushing him deeper.

He sinks his nails into my ass, guiding me. His eyes find mine. He's staring at me, through me. Before, it was too much. But it feels right. I see him, everything inside him. He's not honest yet, not mine yet, but maybe we can get there.

He presses his palm against my back, bringing my breasts to his mouth. His lips close around my nipple.

Pleasure floods my body. He's so much better than I remembered. He's perfect.

He sucks on me as he fucks me. I squeeze my thighs, pressing my hands against his shoulders for leverage. My body screams. I never want this to end. Never.

I dig my hands into his hair, holding him close. Everything else about this relationship is a mess, but this is perfect.

Here, we're perfect.

I groan, arching my back to push him deeper. My heart thuds. My breath is strained. Pleasure wells up inside me again. It's so tense, so tight, so much.

Miles sinks his teeth into my nipple, a tiny hint of pain. Then his eyes are on mine. He's looking at me like he loves me. I almost believe him.

I arch until he's deeper, until he's as deep as he'll go. One more thrust, one more tug at the knot inside me, and an orgasm washes over me. It's harder, more intense, and it takes everything I have to resist screaming his name.

Miles claws at my back. He holds my body against his as he thrusts into me.

He lets out a heavy moan.

He groans and shakes and scrapes his nails against my skin.

He's about to come. I can feel it in his body, hear it in his voice. Pressure wells up in me again. I'm making him come. I'm bringing him all this pleasure.

"Mhmm."

He holds me against him as he fucks me. It's hard and fast. I have to squeeze his shoulders to stay upright.

Then he's there. His cock pulses, filling me.

He collapses, sinking into the bench seat.

His eyes find mine. His lips part like he's going to speak, but he says nothing.

I shift off him, find my underwear, and pull it on. There's no way to clean up. This will have to do.

There's no sign of my bra. Oh well. It was nothing special.

He reaches for my wrist. "Come home with me."

"That's not a good idea."

"Then tell me what this was."

"I don't know." I find my purse and slide it over my shoulder. "But I enjoyed it."

"Go somewhere with me."

My heart flutters. "Where?"

"It's a surprise." He runs his fingertips over my wrist. "I'll fuck you there. If you're still in the mood."

"That's not a good idea, either."

He stares right into my eyes. "There has to be some way I can convince you."

That look cuts straight to my soul. No matter what I do, I can't fight it. I still want to take all his pain away.

I swallow hard. "Okay. I'll go."