“It is. But slamming into guys isn’t. You just got rid of one. Let’s not attract another,” she tells me. I nod my head. She’s right. No matter how hot that man is, I don’t need him. I don’t need a man at all. I’m perfectly fine alone. Aren’t I?
“I’m so fucking horny though,” I whine as she laughs at me.
“So you’re trying to pick up men at a bar?”
“He’s hot, Ellie. Look at him. Rebound sex is the best,” I slur.
“Do you even remember where you live?” she laughs at me.
“I know where I live and I know what I need,” I whine.
“What you need is to go home. Let’s go,” she says as she slaps some cash onto the bar. I watch her smile at the man she was talking to before standing and grabbing my arm. She starts to lead me away from the bar and toward the door when the man turns to look at me once more.
“Leavin’ so soon?” he asks, his tone husky.
“You made it clear I wasn’t allowed at your station,” I tell him. He smiles, and damn it, my heart leaps a little.
“Is that what you took away from all of that?” he asks.
“What should I have taken away?”
“Let’s go, Anika,” Ellie says, tugging on my arm, but I’m not ready to go.
“That you can’t handle what I have to offer.”
“What are you offering?”
“One night, my way.”
“No strings attached?” I ask him.
“No strings attached.”
“He could be a killer, you know?” Ellie says, reminding me of her presence.
“Would you kill me?” I ask him. He shakes his head.
“I might choke you a little,” he admits with a shrug of his shoulders, and my heart beats faster.
“Anika,” Ellie calls my name once more, but I’m lost in those gorgeous green eyes of his.
“One night,” I tell him.
“Oh, for fucks sake,” Ellie snaps.
“One night,” he repeats.
“Deal.” I hold my hand out, and he slips his in. I notice the way his knuckles are bruised and broken, but that still doesn’t stop me.
“Anika!”
“What?” I turn to Ellie.
“This is stupid,” she tells me.
“It’s one night,” I tell her, whining a little as I do. She huffs out a breath before turning to the man.
“I know what you look like. I know there are cameras here. And if you hurt her, I will press charges,” she tells the man. He chuckles and takes down the last of his drink before nodding his head.
