Page 56 of RAKEish

Would last night be Scott’s last hurrah before becoming a one-woman man? Was Lux his last sordid hookup? Had he known she would be? Had he chosen her to be his last? He must have, because he’d known to go to the airport this morning.

She didn’t know if she should be flattered or pissed.

On the one hand, she was the woman 3,214 men had swiped past without a second glance, and here she’d gotten the Prince of Shiretopia so hot and bothered he’d chosen her vagina for his last supper…so to speak. That definitely suggested she should be flattered.

On the other hand, thanks to him, her catalog of sexual positions tried and achieved had greatly expanded. Wait…no, that would also go in the flattered column.

On the other, other hand, she knew—as sure as she knew life wasn’t fair to plain Janes—she’d given Scott a piece of her heart. Hell’s fudging bells.

She sat with that truth, letting it churn and bubble until sadness fermented deep within her belly, leaving a bitter aftertaste to her and Scott’s heated encounter.

CHAPTER 18

Three hours later, Lux stepped into The Whimsical Brew. The café’s cozy warmth immediately enveloped her, a welcome respite from her chilly thoughts.

Thoughts she couldn’t shake no matter how hard she tried to put them in clinical perspective.

She had dodged a bullet with Scott. Giving her heart to such a man would have been a recipe for disaster. Hell, he hadn’t even bothered to send her a text.

Probably because he was too busy doing all the sightseeing things with his betrothed.

It was time for Lux to focus on the rest of her life, which meant she needed to finish the challenge. The way she saw it, she had three cards from three different gentlemen from last night’s gala and three nights left to either prove Scott’s methods would not land her a rake, or admit she was wrong.

Her plan was to go on a date with each of the men…starting with Corduroy. She’d call him as soon as her meeting with Ms. Birdie was over.

The familiar scent of espresso cinnamon tickled her nose, causing her to sneeze. She removed a tissue from her purse, blew her nose, and scanned the crowded room, pausing to notice the little quirks that made the cafe unique—the eclectic mix of vintage and modern decor, the mismatched but charming armchairs.

Her gaze finally landed on Ms. Birdie, who greeted her with a generic wave and a poker face. A shiver of unease swept through Lux. What was with the blank expression? Was Ms. Birdie upset Lux had left last night before the gala ended?

Pushing past her trepidation, she smiled and wove her way through the maze of tables, the chunky heels she’d chosen to wear with the sensible dress clicking ominously against the wooden floor.

Today had been her first walk of shame. That had been empowering in an uncomfortable way…especially on the subway. She was a strong advocate that women should never feel bad about spending an impromptu night at a guy’s place. The philosophy in theory was lovely; in practice, it meant broadcasting your decision the next morning to anyone with any common sense.

She’d tried to disguise her walk as much as possible by borrowing a pair of gray sweats and a soft T-shirt from Scott’s wardrobe, but there had been no getting around the necessity to wear her stilettos with the ensemble.

One simply did not wear hooker heels with sweats unless one had just left their lover’s lair.

“Hello, Ms. Birdie,” Lux greeted.

Ms. Birdie stood, an aura of elegance surrounding her. “Please, have a seat. Time is short.”

Lux’s heart skipped a beat. “I was surprised to get your text.” Lux sat down, carefully placing her purse next to her using a bag magnet—germs were everywhere in Manhattan.

Ms. Birdie pushed a steaming cup toward her. “I hope you don’t mind. I ordered you today’s special—a caramel-infused latte with a hint of cinnamon. They’re known for it.”

Lux wrapped her hands around the warm fat cup, its fragrant aroma momentarily distracting her from her tension. “Then you’ve been here before?” She tried to sound casual. “It’s quite inviting.”

“This cafe and I have seen many a season come and go together,” Ms. Birdie replied, her eyes briefly flitting around the room with a wistful look that spoke of memories and secrets.

Lux gave the room another glance, her gaze landing on a vintage poster on the wall. It was adorned with intricate, old-fashioned lettering that read Spirits, Secrets, and Spells. She rubbed her arms, a sudden draft bringing goosebumps to the surface. She glanced around. There were no open windows or doors. Weird.

“That poster…I feel like I’ve seen it, or something like it,” Lux mused aloud. “Perhaps in another life.” Once her brain caught up with what her mouth had just said, her cheeks heated. Unlike her belief in her nightmares coming true when spoken before breakfast, she’d made it a practice in life not to reveal her beliefs regarding reincarnation to casual acquaintances. It was one of the few things she and Mother agreed upon.

Ms. Birdie’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. “It’s advertising a business that is just down the street. You might have walked past it without even knowing.”

Lux chuckled. “That explains the chilling feeling of déjà vu. Have you ever frequented Spirits, Secrets, and Spells?”

Ms. Birdie, with a practiced grace, patted her red lips with a napkin, her jewelry clinking softly. “On many occasions. It specializes in the extraordinary and the arcane. Two realms I occasionally have a need for.”

---