Page 26 of The Tryst

A smile tilts her lips. “Look me up, Mr. Adams.”

She heads to the gate, scans her boarding pass at the kiosk. As she steps on the jetway, she turns around and blows me a kiss.

Then, she’s gone.

And I leave too, calling my son back as I board, trying to convince him to work with me. Then as I fly away, I replay last night and this morning. I try to review the term sheet for Vault, but I’m thinking about that woman more than I want as I travel across the really big ocean that separates me from her.

10

AN ABSOLUTE BEAST

Layla

“Mojitos are on me, my pets!” I call out to my friends as I stride into The Lucky Spot that night. I’m feeling triumphant, because triumph is a better emotion to nurture than missing a man who’s far, far away.

Harlow and Ethan wait for me at the bar in Chelsea. The place is bustling since it’s seven, so I weave my way through the crowds. When I reach my besties, they immediately thrust their arms up in victory.

Then Ethan turns to Harlow, staring at her pointedly. “Pay up,” he says, wiggling his fingers.

I slide between them and poke Harlow’s shoulder. “You doubted me?”

Harlow just shrugs. “You’re notoriously picky,” she says. “I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

“O ye of little faith,” I say. Then I turn my gaze to Ethan, snarling over the top. “So that means you think I’ll just spread ’em for anyone?”

He cracks up. “No. It means I bet on twenty-three years of pent-up horniness spilling over in one week in Miami for you. And I was right.”

I narrow my brow at him, then faux growl. “Damn you.”

Ethan turns to the curly-haired man behind the bar, who does a double take when he sees my guy friend. But just as quickly, the bartender slides into business, asking, “What can I get for you?”

“His number,” I mutter to Harlow, who nods big and long.

“Two mojitos,” Ethan says to the guy. “And an iced tea.”

“Coming right up,” the bartender says, then flashes an unnecessarily large and wholly clear smile at Ethan before he heads off to mix drinks.

I hum a naughty little tune then nudge my matinee idol friend with the ink on his arm. “And will mojitos be on you soon too?” I wiggle my brows at the bartender.

Ethan shakes his head, but I think he’s redirecting rather than denying. “Don’t distract us.” He pats the stool between him and Harlow. “Sit your ass down. And tell us a story. Leave no item of clothing undone, no bed sheet unturned, no condom unused. I want the full Monty story.”

“I second what he said,” Harlow says. “And start now because we’ve got two hours until Ethan’s set.”

Ethan stabs the bar with his finger. “Story time. Now. Spare no details.”

The details are everything.

The details will feed my fantasies for a long time.

“He’s a venture capitalist. He’s got this whole intense, dominant charm and he’s also a great listener,” I say, then pause to set up my final point. “And he walked me to my gate this morning.At the airport.He kissed me goodbye right before I boarded my plane.”

Ethan whistles in appreciation. Harlow claps.

So I give them a little more. “He was dirty and dreamy and demanding and also, obsessed with my pleasure. And he told me if he lived in New York, he would’ve taken me out tonight. He even said he’ll be here later this year.”

Harlow’s eyes widen with intrigue. “So you are going to see this guy again?”

My heart does a loop-the-loop. Stupid, hopeful organ. I shake my head, making light of it. “It’s just something he said. I’m not going to think about whether he’s coming here again. I’m not going to look him up. And I’m not going to fantasize about an uncertain future,” I say, then I glimpse a familiar face by the door when a striking brunette walks in alongside a busty redhead.

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