Page 29 of Five Days to Be Mine

She turns over, and I spoon against her, humming with the pleasure of this evening’s experiences.

***

Before I even open my eyes, I know Mara’s gone.

It’s the absence of her scent.

The space is empty next to me, the place where she lay in my arms cold.

My phone buzzes from somewhere.

It’s my brothers.

I need to check in with them but I can't get up for a moment, my mind whirling trying to figure out what I did wrong to make Mara leave without saying goodbye.

Whatever it is, I want to make it right and filled with that intent, I stroll across the room.

There’s a note on the bathroom door.

Evan, thank you for last night. I’m sorry I have to go. It isn’t anything you did or said…it’s just me. - Mara

I realize I didn't even get her cell number but I know where she works.

Pushing down a tight ball of emotion, I step into the shower.

The moments from our time together last night flash through my mind. I don't know what I did wrong.

If Mara was being honest with me, she felt comfortable and enjoyed everything that we did.

If she wasn’t being honest with me…

I shake away the thought, turn off the shower and get out.

My phone rings, the ringtone tells me it’s Noel calling.

I answer it with a harsh, “What?” and grip Mara’s note in my hand.

Never have I felt such an instant attraction to a woman and never has a woman made me feel so protective.

As I listen to my brother Noel, my eyes land on the flogger that I didn't get to use on Mara.

Somehow, I have to convince Mara we need a second night.

7 EVAN

FEBRUARY 9TH

“Can we take down the doors to create one giant room?” Nevie Cartwright runs a palm along the wooden door to the private dining room, her sparkling long acrylic nails glimmer in the light. I suppress a shudder, at the clickety click sound as she taps them against the door.

My cheeks ache with how hard I smile. “Anything for you, Nevie.”

I mean it and jot down a quick note on my iPad to ask Steff, my designer, about the doors being removed for the night to make it look intentional.

Nevie walks ahead of me, through the private dining space into the main restaurant area of Sinful Bites.

Chandeliers hang with their gentle cascade of crystal, now dark with only the house lights on above us. The dark wood floors gleam, so does every place setting on the glass top tables.

The restaurant is done in rich blood hues and divided into grids by three long communal tables, each with seating for eight. Small groupings of glass top tables fill in the space.

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