Page 1 of Desirable

CHAPTER1

My lips meet those of the man closest to me. The bar is crowded, so I don’t have to look far. Thirsty Thursday will do that. I don’t care what he looks like, although I should. It’s vain, but right now, a good-looking guy would go a long way. The stranger doesn’t hesitate to lean into me. His hand finds the line of my waist and pulls me against his rock-hard body, lifting me just a touch so I’m on the tips of my toes. I have to tilt my head up because he’s so much taller, and he takes it as a cue to deepen the kiss, claiming me.

Okay, maybe I did choose right. My hand drifts to his jaw, which has the type of scuff built up after a few days of not shaving. The man’s other hand cradles the nape of my neck while he presses his hips against my thigh, where I can feel the length of his considerable erection.

The gasp I release is involuntary but gives an opening for his tongue to dart into my mouth, pressing his advantage and his dick against me. I respond with equal fervor, my fingers twisting in his hair. His hair is close-cropped on the bottom, so I have to reach up to find a length worth gripping.

“Holly?”

It takes an embarrassing amount of time to figure out who this Holly person is. This kiss has wiped all memory of who I am; I am existing for this continued sensation. I forget that there is a voice calling for me until Tyler repeats my name, shouting to be heard. Reluctantly, I pull away in a daze, my eyes only for the man who just reached into my soul and woke something in me.

His eyes are icy blue and he looks equally dazed as he studies my face.

His full lips twist into a smirk as he easily slides his arm around my shoulders before turning to face my ex.

“Can we help you?” my stranger says.

“I’m sorry, who are you?” Tyler asks, eyeing the possessive way the stranger pulls me to his side.

“I don’t think you’re entitled to that information.”

Tyler puffs out his chest, and I don’t know how I put up with him for as long as I did. “Holly, can we talk?” he asks me.

Before I can answer, the stranger speaks for me. “I'm going to have to decline. I suggest you leave me and my date be.”

While I appreciate him taking one for the team by making out with me, this is going a little far.

My savior starts to twist a strand from my ponytail around a finger as his thumb strokes my shoulder. It’s almost intimate how he’s touching me and I wonder what other magic he can work with his hands.

“Get lost, Tyler,” I say. I turn to look up at the stranger, who graces me with a dangerous smile.

“You're going to throw away five years, Holly, over some guy in a bar?” Tyler’s voice sounds so whiny to me now. His hair is greasy, falling into his dark eyes, and his mouth is pulled into a scowl, unlike the charming grin on my fake boyfriend’s face.

My arm acts of its own accord and I throw my drink in Tyler's face. I’m more mad at the waste of $15. He’s not worth even half that amount.

“You're the one who threw it away when you told me that you wanted an open relationship.” My blood starts to simmer all over again because of that conversation. My sister’s wedding was not the place for it, but I guess there was no good place for it.

Tyler’s eyes dart to my stranger, who looks faintly amused by the liquor dripping down my ex’s face. The stranger slips a drink into my hand and I’m surprised to see that it’s the same Bay Breeze I had been drinking before Tyler was wearing it.

“Holly.” Tyler glances at the stranger before lowering his voice. “I only suggested it because I want to be sure you’re the one. Wouldn't it be better this way? I would be so upset if I broke your heart by cheating on you.”

“I’ve heard enough,” the stranger cuts in, his tone leaving no space for argument. “You have thirty seconds to get out of my sight. I highly suggest you leave Holly alone. If I find out that you so much as visited her Pictogram, I’ll bury you alive.”

I assume he means in legal troubles, but his tone and the anger in his eyes make me worry that he means this literally. My heart starts to pound at the possibility, and I’m almost embarrassed by the rush of desire I feel. I might remember that look and the feel of his body later when it’s just me and my vibrator. Regardless, this guy is really pulling out all the stops and I feel like I should tip him for this performance.

“Really, Holly? You’re on a date with this douche? You’re not this girl.”

“You’re right. She’s an exceptional woman that you foolishly let go because you thought you could do better.” The stranger snaps his fingers and two large security men appear on each side of Tyler. “Last chance to leave on your own without a lifetime ban.”

Tyler glances at the two men. “Call me, Holly,” he orders before walking away.

Once Tyler is gone, I relax my whole body, but the stranger doesn’t relax his hold on me. I should pull away, put distance between us, but I don’t want to. Even crammed around all these people, I catch a whiff of him, musky and clean. It’s an embarrassment to me and my family, but I take an unnecessarily long breath through my nose so I can imprint the smell in my mind.

“He seems like a real winner,” the man grumbles.

“Thank you…” I trail off hoping he'll fill in the blank of his name.

His blue eyes survey me with renewed interest. “If only more damsels in distress could have their problems solved with a well-timed kiss.”

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