Page 8 of Second Draft

“And you?” She asks, gaze boring into mine with an intimacy that makes my heart race. “Is that what you’re looking for? To fill the gaping wound in your chest.”

“I don’t read romance novels.” I grin, until I realize how close to the truth it actually is. Instead of books, I just use alcohol and pills to push through the haze of regret and loss.

“Layla, you ready?” A strawberry blonde stands at the edge of the bar, watching us, brows raised.

“Coming.” Layla slides off the stool, and gives me a small smile, then starts towards her friend.

Am I really going to let her walk away?It’s been years since I’ve felt anything but grief, but this woman stirs something inside of me.

Hope.

A desire to change.

A desire for more than just unbridled sex with nameless women.

“Layla,” I growl out her name, watching her body react in a way that makes my cock harden painfully.

She turns, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, brows raised. “Yes?”

I grab a pen that’s sitting in a cup on the bar, then scribble my number on one of the paper coasters.

“Here.” I hand it to her. “I’m going out of town for a few months, but when I get back, I’d love to read your book. I know a really good publicist, and I’m sure I could get him to look at it.”

She blushes. “Like I said, it’s not very good. The ending–”

“Can always be altered.” I lean down, my mouth close to her ear, “And maybe I can change your mind.”

She looks at me with confusion. “About what?”

“Happy endings.” I cup her chin and tilt her chin, then lean in so that our lips our almost touching. “Findingthe one.”

Because as crazy as it seems, part of me wonders if I’ve just found mine. I’ve never believed in love at first sight, or fairytales, but I’m pretty sure this woman is a whole lot of everything that I need.

Her breath hitches, eyes widening.

“Layla, come on. Max is waiting,” her friend complains, popping her gum, and texting frantically on her phone.

She gives me an apologetic smile. “I really have to go–”

I crush my lips against hers. This time there’s nothing soft or innocent about the kiss. It’s hard, demanding, a promise of what I want to give her.

One a breathy sigh, her lips part, and she melts against me.

Pure, undiluted pleasure.

When I pull back, I grin down at her. “Call me.”

She nods, eyes glazed, face flushed, then turns and walks away, glancing over her shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

I drag my fingers through my hair, and let out a heavy breath, hating that I’m just letting her walk away. Even though she has my number, there’s no guarantee that she’ll call.

My number…

Shit. I realize my screw up. I changed servers a few days ago for my new job, and I’m pretty sure I gave her my old cell number.

Normally I wouldn’t care. It’s not like I don’t have a lineup of women begging to jump in my bed. But the thought of not seeing her again makes my stomach clench.

I move through the bar quickly, and push open the metal door, shivering when a cool blast of air hits me.

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