She was out of control, squeezing her thighs around his hips, desperate to be torn to pieces with this agonizing pleasure. “Yes.”
His mouth ravaged, tongue thrusting like his cock, and still he paused to ask her again. “What do you really want?”
She met his gaze head-on and surrendered. “More. Fuck me so I never forget.”
Sierra jerked as the raw images slammed through her vision.
The wine glass toppled and spilled.
God, her wine was never safe around him. She jumped up. “I—need to go to the restroom.” Barely able to breathe, she rushed down the hallway and locked herself in the stall. Her hands were clammy and a terrible heat burned between her thighs.
The hell with this. She refused to spend one more moment being slowly tortured. She should be thrilled he was no longer in pursuit, but her heart and soul still screamed in protest. She’d make some excuse, leave, and text Aspen they’d grab drinks at home.
Washing her hands, she composed herself and rejoined the table.
Aspen was in her seat, laughing at something Kane said. The waitress finished mopping up the spilled wine and eased past. Relief flooded her. “Hey, you made it.”
“Yes—sorry I’m late. As usual. Did you guys have a good chat?”
Sierra tried to ignore Aspen’s hopeful gaze. “Yes. I mentioned how nice it was for him to help Brick out. But with summer almost over, it’s probably a good time to get back to New York. Crowds slow way down during off-season and things get boring.”
“So, I’ve heard,” Kane said. Amusement flickered over his face. “But chatting with Sierra was exactly what I needed. I’ve finally realized what’s best for me.”
Thank God. Sierra only hoped he’d be gone by the end of the week.
“What is it?” Aspen asked.
“OBX. Corolla.” A satisfied grin curved his lips. “I’ve decided to stay.”
Her sister clapped. “That’s awesome! Brick will be so happy!”
A frown snapped her brow. No. She must’ve heard wrong. “Wait—you aren’t going back to New York?”
His gaze swiveled to her and locked in. Resolve glittered within those emerald depths along with another emotion she was too unsteady to analyze. Her entire body froze; a predator to his prey; helpless under the sudden jolt of arrogant masculinity that promised the rules had changed, and she was way out of her depth.
But of course, that had to be her imagination.
“That’s right,” he drawled, not breaking his probing stare. “I’m staying, Sierra. Thanks for the pep talk. It really helped.”
Her jaw unhinged but he’d already won.
She watched him talk with her sister, both excited about the future, while one thought spun over and over in her head.
She was so fucked.
Chapter Seven
“You can do anything you put your mind to, and you can do it in stilettos.” – Kimora Lee Simmons
Two Months Later
Sierra walked along the water and immersed herself in the crowds lingering on the boardwalk. She dragged in a lungful of air, scented with salt and sunshine, and allowed her mind to float with each smart click of her Stuart Weitzman camel-colored ankle boots with a shiny gold heel. It had been a busy day at Flirt. Switching over to new color palettes and fabrics for the change of season took endless hours and focus. With the cooler weather, customers craved earthy colors with pops of burnt orange, crimson red, and hunter green. Shoppers sought gifts for Valentine’s Day, so jewelry sales boomed. Knits and boots replaced gauzy lace and sandals. All of her buying was done two seasons before, so it was fun to re-discover all the goodies ready to sell.
This whole weekend had been spent replacing the racks and bringing in new products from various designers. She’d been going nonstop, especially since Aspen had returned from New York and moved in with Brick. Seeing them flourish after such a roller coaster ride stirred up a longing in her gut. Her sister finally got the happily ever after ending she deserved. Sierra wondered if she’d ever be able to trust another person that much to commit one hundred percent.
Life had proved there were never guarantees. She was glad Aspen had beaten the odds, but there was one major fallout Sierra now had to contend with.
Kane Masterson.
