Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
I make my way through the throng of people that are gathered on the dance floor, many having waited in line over an hour before we opened the doors.
Before I get to the corner of the bar where I saw Lucas, a woman with blonde hair and a barely-there dress stops me. “Excuse me, but aren’t you Jack Dare?” she asks, her voice low and husky.
She’s dressed in a skintight bandage dress with a low-cut neckline and cut-outs on the sides, and though I don’t want to presume she’ll come on to me, she’s eyeing me like I’m a piece of candy she wants to taste.
Still, I need to be polite to customers. “I’m Jack. What can I do for you?”
She flips her long hair over one shoulder. “My name is Amy. I went to high school with your sister Rainey,” she says, sliding her hand along my chest. I stiffen at her touch, wishing I’d been wrong about her intentions. “And I think the question is what can I do for you?” she all but purrs.
I reach up and grasp her wrist, intending to remove her hand, just as a rush of awareness has me turning my head to see if someone is watching me. I glance over my shoulder and my gaze locks on a familiar face. “Taylor,” I say in shock as I step back from the unwanted touch.
“It’s Amy.” The woman who is trying to pick me up is pouting, her over-glossed lips turning downward as she realizes I’m not interested.
I meet the stranger’s gaze. “I’m sorry but you’re going to have to find someone else to whatever with,” I mutter, and shift directions so I can walk toward Taylor, but all I see is the back of her head as she rushes away.
“Dammit.” I weave through the crowd and watch as she steps through the exit. I catch up with her outside in the hot, muggy night air. She already has her phone in her hand, and I have no doubt she’s about to send for a rideshare. “Taylor!” I come up beside her.
Looking up, she meets my gaze and the jolt of awareness is just as potent now as it was in the café in Charleston. “Hi,” I say and treat her to a grin.
“Hi.” Her cheeks flush, and it’s all I can do not to reach out and brush away a strand of hair that’s sticking to her cheek. But I keep my hands to myself for now.
“What are you doing in Miami?” But I’m glad she’s here.
Her gaze darts away from mine. “I … umm … I took a last-minute trip.”
“I’m glad you did.”
I know what it must have looked like, catching me with another woman’s hand on my chest, my fingers wrapped around her wrist. Taylor and I aren’t committed. Hell, we never thought we’d see each other again, but I want her to know that brief touch meant nothing. I haven’t been with another woman since I met her, and I considered it, if only to dim the lingering memories of us together. But my dick isn’t interested in any other woman, and neither am I.
“What made you come?” I ask.
“I came to—” Before she can reply, a group of tipsy women walk out of the club and bump into her side.
“Whoa.” I reach out and steady her, my hands on her bare forearms. “You okay?” I ask.
She nods and I release her. “Why don’t we go somewhere quiet where we can talk?” I suggest.
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and releases it with a pop. “Last time we ended up in your hotel room,” she says, her gaze deepening at the memory.
I lean in, catching the sweet, fragrant scent I remember in my dreams. “I wouldn’t mind that at all.” My voice sounds deep and gravelly.
She flushes again, and I can see how much she’d like that, too.
“Listen, your club is busy and I can see this is a bad time. Why don’t we meet for coffee tomorrow morning?”
Her words shoot down what I hoped would be another night together, and I mentally sigh. “Sounds good.” I don’t want to push, but this time I’m not letting her go without more. “Give me your phone,” I say, and she hands it to me.
I dial my number and it rings in my pocket. “There. We have each other’s numbers now, Taylor … I still don’t know your last name.” I laugh and so does she.
“Taylor Monroe.” She holds out her hand, and I clasp it in mine.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Monroe. I’m Jack Dare.”
“The pleasure is mine,” she murmurs.
I hand back her phone and she pulls up her rideshare app, tapping to call a car. Her ride isn’t far away, and I wait with her until the car pulls up to where we’re standing.