I refuse to look at him on our journey into the sky. It feels instant and endless at the same time. My determination to follow through hasn’t wavered, but I can only assume thatliquid courage is the main reason I haven’t run away in a panic, flagging down a yellow cab.
The doors finally part, revealing the fancy interior of an apartment that looks like something I’ve seen on the Netflix showSelling Sunset.
“Fancy pants, fancy car, fancy penthouse,” I murmur to myself as I trail inside.
You’re not regular Kate tonight. Don’t be impressed.
I turn back to him, perching my hand on my hip. “Bedroom?”
His shoulder is leaning up against a black marble column right inside the entryway. He’s watching me silently, hands casually resting in his pockets.
“To the left.” His voice seems a tad deeper, but then I’m not sure with my head so fuzzy.
I turn and sway into the door he indicated.
The gigantic king-size bed has a rich violet cover. The wall on the right side is just a dark window stretching from floor to ceiling. Raindrops are steadily pelting the glass.
This is it. I’m either going through with this or backing out right now.
“Who do you want to be tonight, Kate?” I mumble to myself.
Still facing the window, I reach down for the short, silky hem of my dress and peel it off, tossing it to the side.
I don’t want to be Kate tonight. The new girl inhabiting my frame is bold and beautiful, and she’s going to have sex with a random guy she met at a bar an hour ago.
New life, here I come.
I see his reflection in the window as he approaches me from behind.
“You seem nervous.” The depth of his voice pricks my skin, and I shiver.
“Not at all.” I’m still attempting the sexy voice, but I have no idea if it’s convincing him or not.
I’m wearing the lingerie I bought for Stephen’s birthday coming up in a few weeks. It’s probably simple compared to what this man is accustomed to seeing, but for me, it’s fancier than my usual. The royal-blue silk set has a tiny yellow bow at the top of the thong and in the center of the breasts. There’s enough padding in the bra to stuff a child’s car seat.
I feel his finger trace over the fabric above my butt, right where the tiny bow rests.
“Why blue and yellow?” he growls.
I can feel his warm breath at the top of my shoulder, and I let out a sigh.
“Umm, the saleslady said it enhanced my eyes.” I’m a sucker for a compliment from a stranger.
“Hmm,” is all he says.
Well, okay then.My confidence falters.
“Do you want a drink?” he asks.
“Uh, yes . . . cabernet?”
His reflection in the window is all I can see, and he stares at my back for another few seconds before turning to exit the room.
Being alone again is like being snapped halfway back to reality.
“Oh shit, shit.”
I nearly sprint into the adjoining bathroom. A mirror the size of my entire car welcomes me. I have to say, in Mel’s heels, her perfect makeup job, and my new special undies, I look pretty much like the part I’m trying—and probably failing—to play.
