Page 6 of The Stranger

Maura looks sharply at me, whatever spell between us disappearing into mist. “Yeah, sorry. Let’s go? You hungry? We can eat.”

Goddammit. I am hungry, and yes, I want to eat. But not food. The only thing on my mind is her pussy. Imagining my cock inside her, splitting her in two, has me so hard to the point of pain. “No. Not hungry. But it’s late, and you look tired.”

Her face cracks in a smile so breathtakingly beautiful I almost kneel in submission. “Nah, I enjoyed it. Honestly, you’re amazing. I never realized just how much work it takes to mark the skin like that.”

The admiration in her voice calms my cock down but makes my heart speed up. She’s really doing things to me. Things I don’t understand. “Thanks. Now, shall we? Erika’s closing up shop.”

Maura waves to Erika as we leave, and Erika sweeps her gaze to me, smirking and winking like we’re sharing a secret. I have no doubt she’s gonna flood my phone with messages later, and I’m pretty sure I know what she’s gonna text me about.

If I thought brushingmy knees against hers was hard, nothing compared to having her arms wrapped around my waist, her tits pressed against my back. The first ride earlier, she was still wary of me, so she kept her distance. I guess she realized I’m nobad guy because she doesn’t mind getting physically close to me anymore.

With the engine rumbling loudly from underneath us, she pushes against me to show me her phone and the directions to her house.

Pope’s Pine.

The most expensive address in the city.

I knew she was rich because the restaurant she was at didn’t have prices on the menu and had dishes I couldn’t pronounce. Besides, the guy she left had ‘trust fund kid’ written all over him. She must be, too.

Well, fuck. If her beauty alone didn’t put her out of my reach, then her social status did.

The universe likes to mock me.

With a resigned breath, I slide the visor down and gun it. I’m mindful of my speed, though, not just because my bike’s a catnip for cops but because I’ve got a precious package behind me.

Too bad she’s never gonna be mine.

3

MAURA

Disappointment washes over me when he stops in front of my apartment building—a double skyscraper that towers over every other building in the city.

It was my parents’ graduation gift to me. Seventy private luxury residences, including five duplex apartments and a penthouse, which was, of course, what my parents bought. My GMC Hummer EV 3X is parked in the basement. I didn’t use it today because Martin picked me up. Then again, if I had my own ride, I wouldn’t have met Tyler.

Ah, Tyler.

I’ve met and dined with other handsome men before, but no one like Tyler. The pure, undiluted sex appeal. The raw masculinity. Is it because of his massive frame, his physique, his tattoos, or his overall badass attitude? Hmm. Maybe all of the above.

The fact is, I don’t want this to be the last time we see each other. I feel like I’ll go crazy if I don’t see him again, which is bizarre. I was never clingy to Martin. Even if I didn’t see him in a week ortwo, it was fine. If I didn’t get any text messages, then I just went about my day.

But now, with Tyler, I’m getting anxious. Did I misread the lust mirroring my own back in his studio? Is he really just a nice guy who helps in any way he can? Or is there more?

I’m hoping it’s the last one.

He helps me down his motorcycle, holding out his hand so I can swing my leg over the bike. I should feel conscious because I have a dress on, but if he sees my underwear—an embarrassingly wet one at that—I’m totally fine with it.

Tyler stands there holding his helmet in one hand, tendrils of his black hair escaping his man bun. His dark brown eyes stare back at me, and I want to drown in those depths.

God, he’s so freaking sexy, even the piercing in the arch of his eyebrow, the three other hoops in his right ear, and black ink peeking out from under his shirt.

I realize I’ve been eyeing him up and down, so I hand him my helmet and feel shy all of a sudden. “Thanks for everything tonight, Tyler. I really appreciate it.”

Something flashes in his eyes, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. I wonder if I imagined it. “No problem. Besides, you’re going to see me tomorrow and the next day and the next. Personal chauffeur, remember?” He leans back to run his gaze along the building. “Although you probably have your own, am I right?”

For the first time, my parents’ wealth embarrasses me. “Not really. I drive my own car.”

“So our personal chauffeur thing is still on?”

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