-Ember-
I barely make it back to our table before Stella is bombarding me with questions.
"Was it him? Did he find you? What happened? Why is your hair all messed up? Did you hook up in the bathroom? Is he here right now?" The questions come rapid-fire, her eyes darting around the bar looking for my mystery man.
"Breathe, Stella," Ainslee laughs, sliding over so I can sit down. "Let the poor girl catch her breath."
"I can't breathe until I know everything," Stella insists, leaning across the table. "Spill. Now."
I take a sip of my drink, trying to hide my smile. "Yes, it was him. No, we didn't hook up in the bathroom."
Well, not technically a lie. We were in a private room.
"But something happened," Oaklynn observes, studying my flushed face. "You've got that 'I just came' glow."
Heat floods my cheeks as I nearly choke on my drink. "I do not!"
"Oh, you absolutely do," Stella cackles. "Did he finger you? Go down on you? What?"
I glance around to make sure no one can hear us. "Can we please not discuss this here?"
"Fine," Stella pouts, crossing her arms. "But you're telling us everything when we get back to the hotel."
"Where did he go?" Ainslee asks, scanning the room. "Is he still here?"
I shrug, trying to seem nonchalant even though my body is still humming from his touch. "I don't know. He was gone when I turned around."
"So mysterious," Oaklynn sighs dreamily. "It's like something out of a romance novel."
"Or a horror movie," Stella adds, then quickly backpedals when she sees my expression. "I mean, in a sexy way! Like, dangerous but hot."
We stay at the bar for another hour, but my mind is elsewhere. I keep replaying our encounter, the feel of his mouth on me, the way he growled when he discovered I wasn't wearing any underwear. Every time the door opens, I look up, hoping to see him again.
By the time we leave, I've given up hope of another encounter tonight. Maybe it was just meant to be those two brief, intense meetings—one night of passion and one stolen moment in a dark hallway.
He'll find you again if he wants to, Ivy reminds me. And trust me, he wants to.
Back at the hotel, I manage to dodge most of the girls' questions by claiming exhaustion, which isn't entirely untrue. Between last night's activities and today's emotional rollercoaster, I'm drained.
"Fine, get your beauty sleep," Stella concedes as we reach my door. "But tomorrow, we want details."
"Goodnight," I say with a smile, slipping into my room and leaning against the door once it's closed.
I sigh, kicking off my shoes and padding to the bathroom. As I wash my face, I can't help but wonder if I'll ever see him again. The thought of returning home without knowing who he is makes my chest ache in a way I didn't expect.
You're getting too attached, Ivy warns. This was supposed to be just fun.
I know, I admit, changing into a nightgown. But there's something about him...
I'm just about to climb into bed when there's a soft knock at my door. Frowning, I check the peephole, expecting to see one of the girls.
Instead, there's a hotel staff member holding what looks like a small package.
"Delivery," he says when I open the door.
"Thank you," I reply, taking the small box and tipping him.
Once he's gone, I tear into the package, my heart racing. Inside is a room key card and a note written in now-familiar handwriting:
Little wolf,
I need another night. Meet me if you want the same. Go in face the window…no peeking.
-A
My pulse quickens as I read the room number. He wants to see me again. Tonight.
This is a bad idea, Ivy cautions, but I can feel her excitement matching my own.
Probably, I agree, already reaching for the blue dress I'd hung up earlier. But I'm going anyway.
I quickly freshen up, spritz on some perfume, and slip back into the dress. As I'm about to leave, I hesitate, then deliberately decide against underwear again. The memory of his reaction earlier sends a thrill through me.
The elevator ride to his floor feels endless. When I finally reach his door, I stand there for a moment, key card in hand, heart pounding. This is my last chance to walk away, to protect myself from whatever heartbreak awaits when this weekend ends.
Instead, I slide the card through the reader and push the door open.
The room is dark except for the city lights streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I step inside, letting the door close behind me. The room is empty, but I can smell him—that intoxicating blend of rain, cedar, and something else I still can't place.
Following his scent, I move toward the windows, where the view of the city is breathtaking. I stand there, waiting, my back to the room as instructed in his note.
Minutes pass, and I start to wonder if I've misunderstood. Then I hear the soft click of the door opening and closing. Footsteps approach, and I hold my breath, keeping my eyes fixed on the city lights below.
"You came," he says, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.
"Did you think I wouldn't?" I ask, still not turning around.
"I hoped," he admits, moving closer. "But I wouldn't have blamed you if you hadn't."
"I kept my eyes closed," I tell him, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't try to see you."
"Good girl," he murmurs, and I feel the silk of his tie sliding over my eyes again. His fingers brush against my temples as he secures it. "Now, let me show you how much I've been thinking about you all day."
I nod, trying to catch my breath, my chest heaving against his.
"Same rules," he adds, his thumb tracing my lower lip.
"We don't have to—" I start, wanting desperately to see his face.
"No," he cuts me off firmly. "It's better this way. If you tell me who you are, I don't think anything could keep me from you."
I grasp his cheeks, seeing only darkness through the blindfold, inhaling his rain and cedar scent. I shouldn't do another night. I know that this in itself is dangerous. Not because of Tanner... because of my heart. This is going to kill me when I have to go home.
There's a lot of danger in the wolven world, but I wonder what makes him dangerous? What kind of terrible things has he done to make him that way? I know I shouldn't give in to another night.
Yes, we should, Ivy urges, her excitement palpable in my mind. When was the last time someone made us feel this good? This wanted?
"I don't know if this is a smart idea," I say, my fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw.
One more night, before going back to the hell that we call life, Ivy pleads. We deserve this.
I give him a gentle kiss on his lips. "Then, let's keep each other for one more night."
He crashes his lips onto mine and deepens the kiss before pulling back again. "I was hoping you'd say that."
How could she not? Ivy snorts in my mind. Have you seen his abs? Felt his dick? We're not stupid.
I ignore her. I just want to be here--in this moment--with him
His hands turn me around, and I'm lost in him once more.
His lips find mine in the darkness, hungry and demanding. I melt against him, my hands sliding up his chest to feel the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you," he confesses between kisses, his hands roaming my body possessively. "I tried to stay away. I really fucking tried."
"I'm glad you failed," I breathe, arching into his touch as his hands cup my breasts through my dress.
He laughs, the sound deep and rich. "Me too, little wolf. Me too."
His fingers find the zipper of my dress and slowly drag it down. The cool air hits my exposed skin, making me shiver—or maybe it's the way his fingers trace my spine as the fabric parts.
"No bra either?" he groans when he realizes I'm completely bare under the dress. "You're trying to kill me."
"Maybe," I tease, pressing closer to him. "Is it working?"
"Fuck yes," he growls, pushing the dress off my shoulders.