Chapter One
September
Wheelcaster Waterfront
Ivy
The most swoony man Ivy Collymore had ever met, dropped himself into the brown leather seat on the opposite side of the booth. She’d already ticked and double-checked her list for the perfect casual set-up, and this man wasn’t the person she’d planned to meet.
From under her lashes, she took in his sleek man-bun and the open collar of his shirt, then bit the inside of her cheek when he caught her staring. He was even brazen enough to smile knowingly.
“Mind if I sit here?”
Before she answered, he picked up the menu. Her gaze followed his smooth movements as he got more comfortable, loosening the button to his suit jacket.
Drat!At the purr of his Southern drawl, her legs clenched to stop the unexpected pulsing between her thighs, but her body had other ideas as it continued humming. She shouldn’t have looked at him twice. His type—with his playboy carefree vibes—wasn’t on her carefully constructed agenda for the evening. She needed a one-night stand she could have fun with and walk away from, not to be another name on a scorecard of some overly cocky guy.
He arched a brow when she didn’t answer.
She did mind.He could have chosen any one of the three lounges in the hotel. With his sexy-as-hell close-shaven jaw and raven-black hair, he was going to intimidate the hell out of her date when he showed up.
Politeness won…barely. “The seat’s empty.”
Why did his eyes have to be equally alluring? Not that weak brown that faded in light, but cocoa bean brown. Those eyes were now aimed in her direction.
“Thank you, ma’am. I could use the silent company.”
What did that mean, the silent company?
She sized him up to be around thirty-five years old. His smooth leather shoes…the cut of his suit said he came from money. The man-bun slicked to the back of his head said he was all the way naughty. If she was correct, he wouldn’t be a disappointment in bed.
Ivy shook her head.Not her type, she mentally repeated, checking her phone.
His age group was more inclined to use words like commitment, settle-down, and family. Words that reminded her of her parent’s marriage. Oh, her parents were great at the commitment and settling down part, but they weren’t good at the family part. Specifically, knowing what to do with a child.
At twenty-six, nothing in her life said commitment, unless it referred to building her marketing company. While her team worked virtually, she enjoyed traveling and taking on new contracts in new cities. It was why tonight was so perfect. Get laid. Enjoy multiple orgasms to last a few months. Leave.
She checked the time—ten minutes before lover-boy showed. Considering her current companion, she was regretting arriving fifteen minutes early for her date. Choosing a secluded area in the lounge was her second error.
Trying her best to ignore the man in front of her, Ivy dismissed the update notice on her device which always messed with her apps and files. She found the dating app with tonight’s checklist, opening it. At least, she could distract herself by double-checking that she was prepared for the night.
Condoms
Hotel room
No personal info
Good looking
Considerate
Intelligent conversationalist
Since her date was cutting it close regarding time, Ivy added punctuality to the list of requirements for next time. She could have made an entrance, shown up late, mad e him drool over the hot red dress she was wearing, but Ivy hated games as much as she hated tardiness.
“Are you waiting for a friend?”
“My date.” She didn’t look up. Let him realize he was deviating from ‘silent’company.
