Page 24 of Unmasked

She spotted the bag on the floor of the limo. It must have been knocked down in their passionate encounter. She snatched it up and pressed it to her chest as though it were a life jacket.

“We can take you home,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of dropping you on the side of the road.”

“I live in the next block. It was...good timing.” Her voice was about as convincing as a politician telling people he had their best interests at heart. She wasn’t about to get into acting any time soon. “Please, ask him to stop.”

Damian sat still, his large frame seeming even more imposing in the wake of her panic. His lips pressed into a line, but he relented and zipped himself up before pressing the button to lower the privacy partition. A second later the limo pulled over.

“I don’t suppose you’ll give me your number?” he said. “Even if I promise not to ask your name.”

“I can’t.” She shook her head, tears pricking her eyes.

Why was she being so emotional? This was exactly what she wanted—a night with the perfect man. Her perfect man. No consequences...except that she hadn’t factored in her stupid heart.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She leaned forward and stole a kiss before pushing the door open and stepping out onto the street, her hand still holding her mask in place.

Lainey waited, her muscles tense and aching, until the limo pulled into the stream of Saturday-night traffic. It disappeared around a corner at the next intersection, and the air flew out of her lungs. Her chest hurt. Her head hurt. The tender spot between her legs hurt, but in the best way possible. Damian had left his mark on her, and she would never be the same.

“Just great,” she muttered to herself as she stuck her arm out to hail a taxi. “You’re ruined for other men.”

As the yellow vehicle pulled over, she opened her purse to dig out her phone. That was when she realised that her grandmother’s compact was missing.

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