Page 5 of Say You Remember Me
He was tall; his dark hair tousled just enough to suggest he wasn’t here to play by anyone’s rules. A jawline so sharp it looked like it could cut glass, and shoulders broad enough to carry the weight of the world—effortlessly, confidently, like it was all part of his day-to-day.
But it wasn’t just his striking looks that rooted me to the spot. No, there was a pull, a kind of magnetic charge in the air aroundhim. He had an aura of control, of power, that made the rest of the crowded club seem like a fuzzy background.
This wasn’t just a man who got things done—he was the kind of man who didn’t even need to ask twice. The one people would turn to when things went south, and he’d handle it without breaking a sweat.
“Nowthat…” I whispered under my breath, my heart betraying me with a wild flip in my chest—a sensation I hadn’t felt in years, “is a beautiful man.”
My eyes roamed over him as he made his way down the staircase to the main level, taking in his custom-tailored suit, which clung to his toned frame, accentuating every powerful line of his body.
Even from across the room, there was something about him, something magnetic, that made me wonder if maybe Lexi’s idea of me kissing a stranger wasn’t so crazy after all.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” I murmured, unable to tear my gaze away as he strode toward the bar. “But I think I just found my guy.”
“Wait, what?” Sloan’s voice was distant, her eyes wide as they followed my line of sight.
It could’ve been the alcohol—or maybe it was just the sheer force of attraction—but when his eyes met mine, it felt like the universe paused. The room dimmed, the music softened, and all that existed was the pull between us.
He leaned against the bar, and when his gaze seemed to take me in more fully, an electric current shot through me, a tug deep in my chest that urged me forward. And when he sent me a smoldering look, one that promised trouble in the best possible way, I knew that if I didn’t move now, I’d lose the nerve—and with it, the chance to be alive in a way I hadn’t been in too long.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, sliding out of my seat before Sloan could even think to stop me.
“Wait…” Sloan started to say something, but I could barely hear her over the pounding in my ears as I made my way toward the stranger, my palms damp with the thrill of what I was about to do.
The handsome man’s dark eyes stayed locked on mine as I approached, and when I stopped in front of him, a slow smile spread across his lips.
“Hi,” I said, striving to sound confident even though my legs felt like they might give out at any second.
“Hi yourself,” he replied, his voice deep and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine. “And who might you be?”
I hesitated for just a moment before deciding that a little mystery wouldn’t hurt. “Just someone looking to be a little reckless.”
“Is that so?” His eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned in closer.
“Yes.” My breath hitched as I inched even closer, feeling the warmth radiating from him.
“Well, I’m sure I can help with that,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “Since Reckless is my middle name.”
I bet it is.
And before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in and pressed my lips against his.
He froze momentarily, like he hadn’t expected me to actually kiss him. But the initial surprise seemed to wash over him quickly because a second later, sparks ignited and his hand came up to my waist, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss.
And oh my heck, I knew it had been a while since my last first kiss, but I was pretty sure I’dneverhad a first kiss like this before—one with instant heat, want, and adrenaline. His lips were firm, skilled, and he tasted faintly of whiskey and something sweeter, something I couldn’t quite place.
I let my hand slip up his chest and neck until it rested against his jaw. His jaw was strong with just a hint of a five o’clock shadow. And I reveled in the feel of it. Jaxon had never been able to grow a beard, so the feel of this stranger’s light stubble on my fingertips was a new sensation. One that I loved.
He was a man. Powerful and strong.
Sexy.
Man, he was so sexy. And with the possessive way he was holding me, I might just burst into flames.
For a moment, as heat swirled hotter and hotter in my veins, the world around us disappeared.
It was just him and me, wrapped up in the intensity of the kiss.
“Oh honey, I’m so sorry your mommy wasn’t able to come home,”Sloan’s voice suddenly sounded in my head, bringing me back to reality. “She internally combusted in the arms of a hottie at the club last night.”
