Smiling,I step out of the small discreet door that hides one of Manhattan’s best kept secret wine bars behind it.
“Thank you. Tonight was just what I needed.”
“Me too.” Julian grins. “You’re a wonderful woman, Sinclair. Come on, let’s get you a cab.”
“It’s okay, you go. I’ll grab one.”
Julian looks uneasy, so I raise my arm as we walk along the sidewalk, signaling a cab, which pulls over.
“See? I’m good.” I smile, and he leans in to kiss my cheek.
“I’ll call you soon, okay?”
“Okay.” I beam as he walks down the sidewalk.
It’s later than I intended to stay out, the night sky a deep inky black. But once Julian and I got talking, time just flew, like it always does. Every time I see him, I feel better. Our meetings bring something to life inside me. I can’t explain it, but I feel like meeting him six months ago was one of the best things to happen to me in a long time.
I turn back to the cab, but someone else has jumped inside and it’s already pulling away.
“Damn it,” I mutter.
I walk along the sidewalk looking for another cab, but every time one drives past its light is out, signaling it’s already picked up a fare.
Something grabs me from behind, spinning me around until my back presses into the wall of a building. The air is pushed from my lungs in a surprised yelp. A body looms over me, leaning in close.
Holy shit, I’m being mugged.
Blood rushes in my ears as the dark-hooded shape towers over me, so close I can taste mint on the tip of my tongue.
“What. The. Fuck?” a voice growls.
“D-Denver?” Relief washes over me, and I wilt against the wall, pressing a hand to my chest. “You scared me.”
He pulls the hood down that was hiding his face in shadows. Harsh green eyes penetrate me, making me feel naked.
“You should be scared! I could have been anyone, Sinclair!” he roars, banging his fist on the wall next to me.
I flinch. I’ve never seen him so mad. His eyes are boring into mine like two green flames.
“What are you doing here?” I choke out.
He places both palms against the brick on either side of me, leaning toward me until he’s so close our noses almost touch.
“I went to your apartment, and you were gone. You were fucking gone!”
“I’m fine, I?—”
His nostrils flare. “Who was he?”
“What?”
“You know I’ll find out. Who was he? Your boyfriend?”
“What? No, he’s?—”
“A guy you’re fucking, then?”
I reel back, but it only makes my back press harder against the wall. “Excuse me?” I scoff.
