Page 4 of Cross Check Hearts

“Uh, yeah, that makes two of us,” he finally says, his voice a deep rumble that seems to reverberate directly through the connection points between us. Now that I’m not at risk of falling on my face, I notice just how handsome he is. He’s almost a foot taller than me, with broad shoulders and a head of dark, wavy hair.

“Really?” I bite my bottom lip nervously, dragging it between my teeth. “It’s kind of nice to know I’m not the only one. I’ve always wanted to explore kink, but this is the first time I’ve worked up the nerve. I figured there’s no better first time than when everyone’s wearing a mask and won’t remember you, right?”

I laugh softly, lifting one shoulder in a self-conscious shrug. The way he’s looking at me makes my pulse skip like a stone skimming across water, but I can’t seem to stop talking.

“I wasn’t sure what to wear either,” I add, shaking my head ruefully. “I probably tried on seven different things before I picked this dress, and I’m still not sure it’s the right choice. I wish there was some kind of step-by-step guide for this sort of thing—although actually, there probably is, somewhere. I just don’t know where to find it. And I—” I break off, wincing as I realize I’m rambling. “Oh god. I’m babbling, aren’t I? Sorry. I’m a little nervous.”

“You shouldn’t be,” he tells me, his voice deeper, more confident now. “You look beautiful.”

A flush creeps up my cheeks, disappearing beneath the mask, and I duck my head almost shyly, not used to such direct compliments from gorgeous strangers. “Thank you.”

I look up at him again, and for a moment, our gazes lock. Neither of us speaks. I’m acutely aware that his hands are still wrapped lightly around my upper arms. Combined with the soft moans and sighs echoing around us, I’m viscerally reminded of exactly where we are and what this place is for.

“Did you come here with someone?” I ask in a low voice, a little surprised at my own boldness.

“No,” he shakes his head quickly, still holding my gaze. “Did you?”

“No.” My tongue darts out to wet my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. “Would you like to get a drink or something? Or—” I frown, remembering his earlier change of direction and suddenly worried I’ve misread the situation. “I’m sorry. Were you leaving?”

The man hesitates for a heartbeat, and I watch the candle flames dancing in his warm eyes for what feels like an eternity before he speaks. His gaze is so intense that it sends a cascade of goosebumps across my skin.

“Actually, no,” he says, his lips curving upward at the corners. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”

Something in the way he says it—the certainty in his voice, the quiet confidence—makes my throat go a bit dry.Holy fuck.

I smile at him, and he reaches out to put one hand on the small of my back while he gestures to the bar across the room.

“Ladies first.”

He keeps his hand pressed lightly against my lower back as we navigate through the crowd, the warmth of his palm radiating through the thin material of my dress. It’s a protective gesture, not possessive—guiding rather than pushing. I sense him creating a subtle buffer between me and the other patrons, his body angled slightly as if to shield mine.

As we make our way past the other masked patrons, my mind races. I can’t believe this is really happening, that I’m here at this club with one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen, hundreds of miles away from my home. He pulls out a velvet-topped stool for me first and holds my hand until I’m seated, then joins me.

“What would you like to drink?” the bartender, who’s also wearing a mask, asks quietly. My mystery man looks to me to answer.

“Whiskey sour, please.”

“Make that two,” the mystery man says, then moves his hand to my knee, stroking it lightly while the bartender gets to work on our drinks.

I feel like I’m burning from the inside out, still unable to believe that this incredibly hot guy is showing so much interest in me. Normally, when a guy is this into me, it’s because he knows who I am and he’s trying to work me for a connection to my dad—but this is California. No one here has a clue who I am, and they probably wouldn’t even if I wasn’t wearing a mask.

“You seem surprised,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

“About what?”

“That I’m interested.” He tilts his head slightly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I shrug, not wanting to get into my normal life complications. “Just used to guys having ulterior motives, I guess.”

He leans in just enough that I can smell his cologne—something woodsy and clean. “The only ulterior motive I have is getting to know the woman who crashed into me while checking out a sex club.”

I laugh, grateful for his directness. “Fair enough.”

“You know, I was going to leave,” the guy starts, and his gaze drifts down to his fingers where they brush against my knee. His eyes snap back to mine. “But then I saw you. And I suddenly changed my mind.”

My heart flutters from the way he’s staring into my eyes, making me feel like I’m the only person in the room. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I ran into you.”

“Literally,” he adds, and we share a hushed laugh as the bartender slides our drinks to us.

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