Her breath catches. “You’re very confident.”
“I’m very certain.” I let my gaze travel down her neckline, taking my time. “And I don’t want to pretend I’m not.”
She swallows hard, pressing her thighs together. She thinks she’s being discreet. She’s not.
I rest my hand lightly on the back of her chair, not touching her yet, just claiming the space around her. “If you want to change your mind, tell me now.”
She hesitates for half a heartbeat.
Then she whispers, “I’m not changing my mind.”
Good girl.
I stand and offer my hand. She places her palm in mine, nervous and excited at the same time, like she’s stepping out of her old life and into something that’s going to ruin her in all the right ways.
Her skin is warm, soft, and tempting.
“Come with me,” I say.
Her pupils dilate, and she nods. “Okay.”
We walk out of the bar together, her hand trembling inside mine. The lobby is quiet, the low lighting giving everything a golden glow. I hit the elevator button, and she keeps her eyes fixed forward, chewing lightly on her lip like she’s rethinking every decision she’s ever made.
“Second thoughts?” I ask gently.
“No,” she says, a little too fast.
I don’t push, I don’t need to; she’s here with me now, she’s mine for the night. That’s all I want right now.
The elevator doors slide open, and I guide her inside. The moment they close, the air changes. It thickens and pulls tight around us.
She steps back against the wall like she needs space to breathe.
I step forward because I want the opposite.
“Ruby,” I say, touching her chin lightly so she looks up at me.
“Yes?”
“I’m going to kiss you.” I let the words hang there, low and certain. “Unless you tell me to stop.”
She exhales slowly, like her lungs are struggling to keep up with her pulse. “I… I don’t want you to stop.”
That’s all I need.
I take her face in both hands and kiss her, deep and hungry, like I’ve waited months instead of minutes. She melts against me instantly, grabbing my shirt, clinging like she doesn’t trust her legs to hold her up.
The kiss is hot from the start; no warm-up, no hesitation. Just the two of us crashing into each other in the most addictive way. Her mouth opens under mine, soft and sweet, and I taste vodka, heat, and something uniquely her.
She moans softly when my tongue strokes hers.
That sound? I want more of it. I want every version of it.
Her hands slide up my chest, then my shoulders, then the back of my neck, tugging me closer like she wants the kiss deeper. Filthier.
She gets it.
I press her against the elevator wall, sliding my knee between her thighs. Her breath shatters. She tilts her hips, grinding against me without meaning to.
