I shrug, trying to play it cool. “I need strong drinks tonight.”
He raises his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. “Completely understandable.”
I can’t help but smile at his playfulness. “So, tell me about yourself, Theo. Anything to get my mind off the nightmare I’m living.”
“At least you found out now,” he says, his tone serious. “Did you have kids with him?”
“No.” I’m grateful for that small mercy. But the thought lingers—if Kayla hadn’t told me, how far would Tyler have let it go?
“That’s good,” Theo says, his voice tinged with something darker. “Nothing worse than dragging kids through it.”
There’s a weight to his words, a bitterness that makes me wonder if he’s speaking from experience. I take another sip of my drink, letting the alcohol steady me. “I just can’t believe it,” I admit. “I wasted four years being the perfect partner, doing everything I could to make him happy. I worked full-time, but I also cleaned the house and made his dinners, his lunches—everything. He didn’t have to lift a finger, and it still wasn’t enough.” My voice wavers, and I straighten my back, determined not to cry again.
He places a hand on my arm, and I look into soft eyes. “It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. He sounds like a loser, and you sound like his mom. And that so-called friend of yours was never a friend anyway and eventually showed you her true colors. People always do.”
His words hit me like a revelation. He’s right. For the first time, I realize I did and gave too much, and it was never reciprocated. The fault wasn’t mine.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” I ask, the alcohol taking over.
“I surely don’t,” he says in an upbeat tone.
A hint maybe?Pfft... who am I kidding? A young man like him wanting me? Impossible.
“Well... a bit about me. I’m in a motorcycle club.” He looks down at his vest.
My tongue feels heavy. “Is it... a bad club?” I lean toward him, tipsy and curious. “Do you kill people?”
He laughs. The sound is rich and warm, and it lightens something in me.
“We’re the good type. We look out for people in the community.”
I don’t know what he means by that, but I like the sound of it. “How old are you?” He’s clearly a man, but younger than me. I’m just not sure how much.
He smiles, and it’s glorious. “Old enough.”
“Old enough for what?” I tease.
“For you.”
My body ignites and I forget how to breathe for a second. He’s ballsy, but not arrogant. My nipples pebble against my bra. His eyes smolder, and I get lost in them. Thoughts flicker.What have I got to lose? Nothing.
“Let’s get a room,” he says, holding out his hand.
A bolt of lust overcomes me, leaving me giddy. I place my hand in his. His eyes roam over me with a fierce hunger I’ve never seen any man have before, and it sends a ripple down my spine. He looks at me like he wants me, but I’m justme... I’m all curves. Pudgy belly, thick thighs. Why would someone like him want me? But he couldn’t fake the longing in his eyes that says he wants me.
He leans in, his breath warm against my neck. “Don’t tell me you’re gonna back out... I’m already hard for you.”
And just like that, all the toxic thoughts leave me. Butterflies take over my stomach.
“Okay,” I whisper as adrenaline soars through me. A sexy distraction to take my mind off the pain stalking me tonight.
TWO
I CAN’T DENY MY BODY’S NEED
Rose
We head up the stairs.My heart is hammering. I’m trying my best not to trip because of all the alcohol I’ve consumed, so I’m walking slowly. He stops ahead of me and turns, chuckling, and takes a few steps to get behind me. I snort. What is he doing? Pushing me up the stairs? How embarrassing!
