na'

t, everything felt like I was being monitored. Graham's thin smile, Lucy's too-bright eyes, Brian's hovering...

stepped outside, rain misting my face like cold fing

serving everybody at Bla

exhaust and fried food. Street musicians played chords too high for human

nder my boots. The chill seeped through my coat, but it felt alive, bett

one. I just needed the city to swallow

ispered conversations. It was soothing in an odd way and chaotic in another. I slid

vibrated through the wood, matching the unsteady beat in my chest. A girl laughed

er phone at a booth at the far e

notic

inst the bar, his eyes scanning the room, and somehow, they landed on

ent around him. The low amber light caught the sharp line of his jaw

ity and charm at the same time. I looked away, pretending not to notic

gain. He was closer now. Look

to the stool beside me, just en

hrough the bar's haze of gin and damp wool. The stool creaked as

. He had an accent. Was it Scouse? Or Irish? It

ow. "It depends.

I was bored, I guess," he continued. "But mostly...

saw past the sarcasm straight to the storm underneath

. But the truth is, I liked being n

iding in t

're not."

he said, exte

was flat, but in

t me, holdi

y face?" I asked, liftin

ly wanted to say beauty. But I didn

calluses rough against my skin. The contact lingered

eaking into a

d?" He murmured with

t flatter

his gaze that made th

ity, London secrets. He didn't pry, didn't pressure. But the way he list

on it. His laugh rumbled low, vibrating through the narrow space between us. My

o, then four. We lost co

jokes I did

nt," he said smoot

be deceived,"

. "Well, you c

What did th

leaned in. And then...

get out

. My ski

ogether, heading

sliding down my neck as we hurried,

hands. My mind screamed: Stop. You can'

raight to the elevator. Does he stay here? Is he visiti

, the rational part of me ev

gry, one hand cupping my jaw like I might vanish. Heat flooded

alized I'd been st

ans, about how I want

when this sexy Adonis' hands roamed

and dangerous.

blinds. I woke in an unfamiliar bed, tangled sheets, fai

d with the sharp tang of last night's gin. My body ached plea

froze. I have to go if I w

y wouldn't see: Thanks. I thought of writing someth

moved on. The ra

he square. Runners and yoga p

resisting the temptation to

rtant gnawed at the edge of my mind, what had I planne

the ceiling. Fingers flexed, I picked up my phone. Stopped. I w

back the details that h

stress. I'd thin

normal on the surface. It was qui

ontrol could slip through my fingers. I had to be

untangle the lies, uncover

left at the hotel. As much a

uldn't.

wanted to

make in this second c

n. I cannot afford distractions.