Lottie caught the glimmer of something in his smile, something that felt like the beginning of a spark between them. She felt her pulse quicken, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling in her chest. The night stretched out ahead of them, and for the first time in a long while, she felt like things might actually go right.
“Good,” she replied, her smile softening as she stepped closer to him. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the evening goes.”
His eyes met hers, the playful edge still there but something deeper, more genuine, lurking just beneath. The tension between them was palpable, charged with unspoken promises. She didn’t know exactly where this would lead, but for now, in this moment, she was perfectly content to let the night unfold.
“Shall we?” he asked, gesturing for her toward the landing.
Razor walked her down to the car, reached for the handle and opened the passenger door for her.
“I could have gotten it myself,” Lottie said softly.
“When you’re with me, I take care of you,” he answered.
She climbed in, smoothing nervous hands over her coat while he shut the door harder than necessary just to keep himself from pulling her back out and kissing her. Christ.
Maybe bringing her somewhere temptation lived and breathed wasn’t his brightest idea.
As they drove away from the apartment Razor glanced over at her. “How was your day?” he asked as they pulled onto the road.
“Three kids with stomach issues.” Lottie laughed softly. “They all went to school together, and today was test day.”
“Let me guess. They didn’t study.”
“Exactly what it sounded like.” She smirked. “How was your day?”
“Nobody got arrested. Calling it a win.”
When the conversation quieted, Razor drummed his fingers against the steering wheel before glancing her way.
“Before we get there…figured I should explain a few things.”
Lottie straightened slightly.
“I meant it when I said we won’t be participating,” he said. “No one will be expecting anything from us tonight.”
He saw her shoulders relax. “We’re there to watch. There will be the main stage. And private viewing rooms, as you know.”
Razor saw her head whip around and her eyes go wide. He didn’t address the look. There wasn’t a reason to. “We can have a drink,if at any time you feel uncomfortable, we leave. No questions asked.
“Just like that?” she asked.
“Just like that,” he replied.
The moment Lottie enteredThe Red Door,the familiar hum of conversation and clinking glasses seemed to fade into the background. It wasn’t the usual warmth of the place that struck her, but the weight of the attention. Razor’s hand at the small of her back was like a steadying force…warm, firm, a subtle but intimate gesture. But it also drew her awareness to every step she took, every movement.
The murmuring of the room seemed to swell around them, and she could almost feel the eyes of the other patrons grazing over her. It wasn’t just because of Razor; it was the way they entered together, the way theylookedtogether. He was a presence, but now, it felt like his presence made her stand out more. Madethemstand out.
She stole a quick glance at Razor, noting how effortlessly cool he was, how little he seemed to care about the attention they were drawing. His expression was calm, his gaze cool and steady, but she could feel the energy between them shifting.
“Relax,” he murmured low enough for only her to hear, his thumb lightly grazing her back. “No one’s going to bite.”
Lottie swallowed, a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, and nodded. “I know. Just…feels different this time.” She half-smiled, trying to shake off the odd sensation that had her walking on the edge of something she wasn’t sure she understood yet.
They moved further into the room, their steps almost in sync, and the world seemed to settle back into place, the murmurs of the crowd continuing around them—but it still felt like all eyes were on her.
Lottie took a small, deliberate sip from the glass, savoring the bubbles as they tickled her senses. She glanced at Razor from the corner of her eye, feeling the familiar pull of his gaze on her, but this time, she wanted to take things just a little further. Handing him the glass, she slipped the coat from her shoulders, allowing it to hang gracefully from her hand. Her movements slow and deliberate, giving him a moment to truly appreciate her.
The dress she wore beneath was simple but elegant, the kind of piece that hugged her in all the right places without revealing too much at first glance. Black, of course, classic and timeless, but it was the way it fit, the way it moved with her was bound to catch attention. As the coat hung, Razor’s eyes didn’t just glance over her; theystudiedher.
