Page 1 of His to Explore
KENSIE
“Will there be anything else, ma’am?”
I smile up at the waiter as he sets a tumbler of amber colored liquor in front of me.
“That will be all. Thank you.”
He nods once then moves off to take another order. I bring the glass to my lips, breathing in deeply before I take a sip of the whiskey. Bold with the very slightest note of sweetness. Just the way I like my whiskey. I let the tension in my shoulders release, settling back into the leather booth, then look around.
The lounge is fairly full for a Thursday evening. Lots of couples and small groups gathered around the bar and at booths like mine. Fewer people on their own, but I suppose that’s to be expected.
My eyes land on a man a few tables away only to find that he’s already watching me, expression intent. He’s attractive enough that my stomach clenches—tall with disheveled dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He’s dressed in a suit, like most of the men in this place, but his tie has been removed, the top button undone. He’s relaxed in his chair, legs splayed wide in front of him, giving him an air of easy indifference. Confidence thatborders on arrogance. Brown eyes are staring at me, the heat in them evident even from this distance.
I keep my eyes on him as I lift my glass again, taking another sip.This will do,I think to myself.This will do extremely well.
I force my eyes away, not wanting to appear too eager. I continue to sip my drink as my gaze travels the room. Light jazz is playing, just audible over the hum of conversation and laughter. This is just the energy I needed tonight—a room full of people enjoying themselves, no demands on me or my time. I’m in control.
Just the way I like it.
The man’s eyes are still on me. I allow a small smile in his direction then shake out my hair, letting it fall around my bare shoulders. A clear signal, if he knows how to read it. The next time my gaze meets his, he’s smiling, a note of smug satisfaction in his expression.
He read the signal all right.
Excitement thrums in my veins. This is exactly what I needed after a long week of work headaches and little sleep. The promise in a stranger’s eyes. The thrill of a little anonymous fun.
If I’m very, very lucky, he might just give me what I really crave.
I keep my eyes on him as I stand, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly. I have to pass by his table to get to my destination, and my blood thrums at the appreciative glint in his eyes as his gaze travels up and down my body.
I dressed carefully tonight, hoping to attract someone just like him. A strapless leather bustier, high cut enough to be classy, and a black pencil skirt. If I paired the outfit with a blazer, I’d be nearly appropriate for an office setting. But the bare shoulders and leather accomplish what I’m hoping for tonight—the message that I’m looking to have some fun.
Will he take the bait?
I pass through the crowded lounge, not making eye contact with anyone else. I don’t need to window shop any further, not when I’ve already found exactly what I’m looking for.
I slip through a heavy wooden door into the quiet hallway that houses the rest rooms. I’m heading in that direction, when a hand reaches out from behind and clamps down on my shoulder. Before I can say a word, I’m being pushed through another door to the right. The space is small, cramped and dark. Probably a closet.
I can’t see anything, but I can certainlyfeel. That heavy hand still on my shoulder. The heat of the person behind me.
“Is this what you were hoping for?” a low voice rasps in my ear, and I fight off a full body shiver. “That I would follow you back here?”
“Maybe,” I murmur, my lips tilting up in a grin. It’s what I was hoping for all right. What I was counting on.
“We both know it is,” he says, crowding into me. He’s even taller than he appeared sitting down, absolutely dwarfing me even in my heels. “You walked into this place just aching for a little anonymous fun.”
“Is that what you’re offering?”
He nips at my shoulder, hard enough to sting. “Absolutely.” Suddenly he kicks at my feet, making me gasp as he forces my legs to spread. “And you’re going to take everything I have to give you, aren’t you?”
I’m breathing hard now, my heart pounding like crazy. I can’t see three inches in front of my face. The man hasn’t given me his name or any information. No one knows I’m back here with him, completely at his mercy. He could do anything.
Fuck. I’m not sure I’ve ever been this wet.
His hand fists into my hair, tugging sharply. “Answer me. Are you going to take everything I have to give you?”
“Yes,” I whimper, unable to keep the needy whine from my voice. There’s no point in pretending anyhow. He knows exactly what kind of girl would allow herself to be put in this position. Alone in a dark closet with a man with whom she hasn’t exchanged more than a handful of words.
“That’s a good girl,” he rasps, hand sliding over my shoulder to my collarbones, then down to my breasts. He squeezes over the leather, making me gasp. “I have one rule.”
