The two most embarrassing items in my purse were lucky enough to fall out right next to each other? Fuck my life and everything in it.
My cheeks burn as I glance up at him. He’s looking at me with a cocky smile, and I feel the threat of tears again. I won’t cry in front of this handsome stranger. Well, I won’t cry again in front of this handsome stranger.
I hear my phone’s text notification. The morning can’t get any more embarrassing as he continues to gather and hand me more of my crap.
Jill: Hope you’re still banging Mark Ashton. Can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m heading home. Your car is still at Mandalay but I checked out. Have fun and be safe.
I glance around and spot my car keys on the floor in front of me. At least one thing is going right this morning—at least I didn’t leave my keys at the hotel with Jill. I almost yell out in triumph, but I manage to restrain myself.
“Let me buy you a coffee,” the man says once we’ve gathered all my stuff and the floor is pristine once again.
I nearly ask if it’s because of the condom, but I stop the words before they leave my lips. A girl who carries condoms in her purse must put out, right? Ugh. “No, thank you,” I say instead.
He glances at his watch. “Please. It’s the least I can do.” His green eyes penetrate me, pinning me to the spot. He’s so assured standing there, so confident.
So handsome.
I think about giving in. I think about saying yes.
But I’m on my way out from another man’s bed after a one-night stand. Having a morning coffee date with a stranger just seems like a bad idea on top of an already shit morning.
Chapter Three
“Tell me every single detail and leave nothing out.”
I blow out a heavy sigh as I look across the family room at Jill. She tucks a chunk of her red hair behind her ear, her eyes wide on me. She’s looking at me differently than she did yesterday, like I’m her idol. I did something last night we’ve both dreamed of doing for the better part of ten years.
It’s too early for this conversation. I’m still wearing the Vail shirt from last night—the same shirt Mark Ashton stripped from my body before he fucked me. I think of his long, talented fingers as they gripped the bottom of this very shirt before he pulled it over my head.
“It was…perfect,” I finally answer.
“That’s not every detail. I’m talking length, girth, hardness…”
“Oh my God, Jill. You sound like Tess.” Tess, my work wife, has the uncensored mouth and perverted sense of humor of a thirteen-year-old boy.
“So? It’s not every day my best friend sleeps with an actual rock star.”
“I need a cup of coffee before I get into this,” I mutter. “Or a shot of tequila.”
“Coffee’s hot on the pot.” She nods toward the kitchen. “And you know where we keep the tequila. Now spill the details.”
“I haven’t showered and I still smell like him.”
“Oh my God, you should definitely never shower again. Ever. What does he smell like when he’s naked? Can I smell you? Was he big? Was the sex good?” She stands up and starts walking toward me, but I push her off.
“He tasted like peppermint.” I think for a minute. “And he smelled like some kind of sweet, woodsy scent mixed with the peppermint. And he was big. And he knew how to use it. Like he’s an expert. PhD in sex.” I close my eyes in bliss as I remember.
When I open them, she’s about to bend over to sniff my shirt. I push her away.
“Sandalwood. That’s sandalwood. Holy shit, I just smelled Mark Ashton on you.” She squeals. “Best night ever?”
I nod, focusing my eyes out the window on our view of the mountains surrounding Las Vegas.
“Then why do you seem so totally unsatisfied today?”
I swipe at a stray tear I didn’t even realize had formed. I thought I’d gotten it all out in the elevator. “Not unsatisfied. It’s just…that’s it. One night. Wham bam thank you ma’am.”
“One night to remember forever.”
She stares at me with stars in her eyes, like I’m the luckiest girl in the world—which I am.
But I’m still somewhere between regret and jubilation. “Yeah, but now what? No one’s ever going to measure up to that.”
“Still, one night…”
“One night that brought every fantasy I’ve had for ten years to life.” And