Page 69 of For One Night

She crosses her legs. “Yes, please.”

“Everything I thought I knew about him, I didn’t. He was nice with just enough arrogance to make it fun. The sex was, by far, the best I’ve ever had.” I run my hands over my thighs, thinking of his.

She leans forward. “Better than with Carter?”

“So much better, Millie.” I slump in my seat. “He listened to me, but he also knew his way around my body, and it responded to everything he did. Even his words got a reaction from me. He was so in tune like we had done it a million times.”

Millie is fixated, taking in my every word. “Lola, please be careful.”

“No, Millie. You’re not ruining this for me.” I scoot to the edge of my seat. “You’re the one who encouraged this, and I went with it.”

She shakes her head. “I know, I only want you to be careful. I need you to remember, it was only a one-night stand.”

“Don’t you think I know that? It’s not real. I’ll never see him again, and even if fate would allow it, I’m not ready. But I’ll be damned if anyone tells me it was nothing.” I sit back, pretending to check my phone.

I doze off for the remainder of the flight. Millie knows I’m pissed. I’ve spent sixteen years with someone telling me my feelings aren’t important, and I’m not allowing it anymore.

The ride home is heavy with regret. Millie wants to say something, but she knows when I shut down, I’m done. The thing is, I liked him.

“Say it.” I press my lips into a thin line, ready for the worst.

She slowly shakes her head. “Not happening. You’re a grown ass woman, and my opinion means nothing.”

“Millie, your opinion means more to me than anyone’s.” I turn to her, taking her hand.

“I don’t want you hurt. Maybe this was too soon for you.” Millie winces.

“I’m not in love with him; it was just sex. I understand the difference, and although I really enjoyed ditching him, I hate I did. Not because I have some crazed fantasy we’ll end up together, because people don’t have that kind of connection and it mean nothing.”

Her forehead creases. “Yet, that’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

The limousine comes to a stop in front of my apartment. I get out, stomping around to grab my bag. Millie’s on my heels, yanking hers up the stairs as she follows me into my condo.

She slams the door behind us, and I round on her. “Don’t you dare treat me as though I haven’t a clue about what I’m saying.”

“You’re naïve about the world and how it works, Lola. It’s not a bad thing, but to have feelings for someone because they fucked you well is not the making of a good relationship.”

“Because you’ve had so many yourself?”

She drops her bag, glaring at me. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”

“You’re talking to me about fair?” I flop onto the couch. “Millie, I understand. Lennox was amazing, to my body, in bed, to me. He gave me a gift. He showed me I deserve to be treated well, to be given as much as I put in. If that’s not a connection, then I give up.”

“It wasn’t just sex?” She searches my eyes.

“At first, it was revenge. I wanted him to feel used, to feel like others do. But no one takes the time to make another person feel like he did for me and be all bad.”

She studies me for a minute before shaking her head. “You’re right, no one goes out of their way for another person unless they’re invested some way.”

“Maybe he needed me as much as I needed him.”

“Possibly, but you needed an orgasm more.” She giggles.

I raise my brows. “Well, he gave me many and plenty of memories for my marble time.”

“Hell nah, you did not say that.” She covers her ears, pretending to vomit.

I stand, pulling her up. I throw my arms around her and hug her tightly. “Come on, I need a shower and sleep.”