Staring at the double doors while I wait, I grab the ties of my pink coat and pull it tighter around my body.
Either I’m about to commit the worst mistake of my life or the best. I can’t seem to care even if the former comes true. I’m sick of following rules. It’s gotten me nowhere, only left me alone and with a broken heart.
I don’t want to be a dutiful daughter, a fiancée, or a loving girlfriend.
I want to be wild and carefree.
Live my life on my own terms. Let lust take the front wheel. Tonight, I’ll be brave and go after what I desire the most.
The sound of footsteps approaching from the other side makes my heart pump faster, not with nerves but an electric thrill.
A gust of cool breeze breaks out shivers down my spine as the door glides open with a flourish. One second, my body’s cold. In the next second, a fire licks up my skin as I come face to face with the man who makes me lose all inhibitions.
“Nathan,” I murmur, going for confident, but my voice slips out breathless.
A lit cigarette hangs from the corner of his lips, taking me by surprise. The orange glow casts light across his sharp jawline.
Shock flickers in his shaded eyes at my presence on his doorstep. A knot forms on his forehead. Removing the cigarette, he blows the smoke to the side before demanding, “What are you doing here, Arya?”
Emboldened by my motive for showing up at his home, I don’t resist raking my gaze down his sculpted body. He’s still clad in his day suit sans jacket and tie. The top few buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing his thick neck, collarbone, and hard pecs.
The sight of his sunlight-kissed skin makes my mouth water.
When my eyes climb back up his bare feet and muscular legs, I notice his metallic ones are busy doing the same. The way they tighten in the corners at the peek of skin around my ankles has my toes curling in my four-inch heels.
Can he tell I’m naked underneath?
The heat ensnaring his gaze when it connects with mine tells me maybe he does. He’s too clever and perceptive not to notice little details that another mortal might miss.
He takes a step outside onto his porch, stopping shy of invading my personal space. It’s good. Because any closer and he can hear my thundering heartbeat.
Head tilting to the side, he prompts in a deep voice, “Ari?”
“I didn’t know you smoked,” blurts out of my mouth.
“Why would you?” he counters, letting his question simmer on the back burner. Even though intrigue is heavy in his expression. “We aren’t friends.”
No, we aren’t.
Nor do I want to be.
“Why are you here?” he asks again. “Don’t tell me you drove all the way over here, late at night, to go over another idea you’ve had.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Why then?”
“I’m…” I lick my lips, summoning courage. “I’m here for you.”
His pupils darken. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” I inch closer, pressing my palm in the middle of his chest and peering up at him beneath my lashes. I forget the little speech I practiced on my way here. “I want you, Nathan. I want to stop fighting this attraction between us.”
“Didn’t I warn you I’m bad for you?”
Not for you to decide. “I don’t care.”
“Even so, I’m not in the market for a relationship. And you, angel.” Capturing my wrist, he lowers it away from his body. “Will crave one once your broken heart is healed.”
