Page 32 of Royal Flush

Yet Braxton had managed to do so more than once.

“Let’s just say he had carnal penance in mind.”

It took her a few seconds to realize what I was saying. “Carnal. As in sexual?”

“Well, maybe.”

“Oh, my God. What a jerk. That’s horrible. Who was this dude? Are you going to turn him in to law enforcement?”

“Oh, that would be great press to add to my illustrious and very notorious family. No. Plus, I had a good time.”

Her grin was way too infectious. “You liked this guy?”

“A little too much. I left quickly when he was still asleep.”

“I have never known you to be a coward. What in the world?”

“We live in two different worlds.”

“Okay, his name. What is his name?”

Cringing inside was the least of my emotions. “Braxton Royal.”

She cocked her head to the point I could see recognition almost immediately. “I know that name.”

“Yeah, he and his two brothers run several lucrative businesses.”

She yanked her iPad from the seat beside her, something she never left home without.

“I already looked him up. I know who he is,” I told her.

“You likely know all the glossy stuff.”

“Well, he is a powerful man like his brothers.”

“This one?”

Just seeing his photograph again brought about another series of wicked thoughts. “That’s him. Why?”

“He’s not only powerful but considered dangerous.”

“Aren’t all wealthy, influential men considered dangerous beasts?”

She rolled her eyes. “Maybe but there have been several stories written about him I’ll find for you. Utter scandalous events. He’s a playboy too. I think he has a woman for all three hundred sixty-five days of every year.”

I folded my arms, placing them on the table. “You think I’m afraid of some articles online after everything my family had been put through?”

“Oops. I forgot. Just be careful. If the two of you are linked with a sex club, then all hell could break loose. If you think your news sources are terrible, American television and newspapers are much worse.”

I hadn’t thought of that aspect. “Don’t worry. I’m not seeing him again. He doesn’t even know who I am. And I left without him knowing.”

“Whew,” she said. “Well, he is incredible eye candy. I’d surrender to his needs.”

Now we both laughed and I was thankful I’d come. This was exactly what I needed to soothe my soul.

But what I really needed, the one thing I craved was the one thing I couldn’t have.

Damn it.

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