Page 82 of The Last Good Man

Besides, it’s still raining.

He says good night to our hostess and returns to the room. His eyes come to mine first, and I like how he wants tomake sureI’m all right.

He searches my eyes while I study his face.

A lot of the things defining people can be picked up on at a glance, and that’s certainly true in his case.

There’s confidence and determination even inthe wayhe talkswhilehis eyes speak of perspicacity, an innate capability of reading people, and the kind of great intelligence that goes beyond the stuff in books.

“I’m leaving,” he says, taking me by surprise.

My first instinct is to open my mouth and ask him to stay.Tellhim there is no problem and there’s room for both of us.

I evenpartmy lips to voice my proposal but quicklypushthe words back.

He flashes a smile when he sees me struggle.

“I’ll see you in New York,” he says nonchalantly, collecting his jacket. “And no more boyfriends,” he adds humorously, although his warning isserious.

Without putting his jacket on, he pivots to me.

My bottom lip is rolled tight under my teeth as I try to keep my mouth shut and not say what Ireallywant to say.

He snakes an arm around my waist, gives me a sultry smile, and murmurs against my cheek.

“Be good, Melody Hill. I’ll be watching you,” he says, the smile woven in his voicenotremoving the seriousness behind his words.

He leaves a kiss on my cheek and smoothly tears away from me while a kernel of disappointment blossoms in my chest.

The door closes behind him, and I still stare at it while his steps trail down the stairs.

He greets someone downstairs before the door opens and closes, and his car comes to life as he revs up the engine.

He took all the warmth in the room with him.

The window is still open but I don’t want togo there and close itandthensee him vanish into the woods.

Even so, his car's headlights cast a glow over the windows before he backs away, turns his ride around, and moves down the road, heading south.

“Interesting night…” I murmur, still torn and unfinished in some way.

He did what he’d promised me to do, and then he left. I could’ve asked him to stay.

I’m not so sure he would’ve done it, though.

Grappling with disappointment, I reach back and unzip my dress, take off my shoes, and remove my clothes, tights, and underwear.

Naked, I walk into the bathroom.

From a hanger, I pick up a satin robethat comes withthe honeymoon suite and drop it on the edge of the sink before turning the water on and going back to the room to bring the champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Minutes later, I slide into the bathtub, a glass of champagne and fruit coated in dark chocolate on the porcelain edge next to me.

As moments pass, the warm water does its magic.

I relax, enjoying the afterglow with my eyes closed, my body satisfied with the treat it’s gotten tonight.

My brain alight.

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