Page 4 of One Naughty Night

My “never can be” daydreams are whisked away in tiny, hopeless shards when Zach clears his throat and starts to back away. “My bad, man. I didn’t realize. Just saw a pretty lady alone at night who looked cold. I’ll just be going. It was nice to meet you, Stormy. Keep the coat.”

“Stormy?” Jax jumps in and eyes me dubiously. “That your real name or not? And if so, he got it and I didn’t, because…”

“Because,” my head bows to my chest and I speak all but inaudibly, “he seemed like he’d care.”

“Hey.” Jax removes all space between us, pressing his firm body against every inch of mine and tipping up my chin. “I care. I’m no romantic, but I’m decent. Tell me, Stormy, and make it quick. You feeling this guy?”

Before I can talk myself into lying, I nod into his torso, smelling rugged man and sinister intentions, and he chuckles. “All right then, lemme see what I can do.”

Afraid to even ask, I keep my face hidden in his aromatic shirt, bracing myself for whatever Bad Boy has planned.

“Zach, bro, hold up,” he yells.

His vast frame incapable of any stealth, I hear his heavy steps coming back toward us. “Yeah?” he asks.

Just pretend I’m not here, please. Brave, inner vixen wavering by a thread.

“I’ve been accused of saying the wrong thing, the wrong way, pretty much any time I’ve ever opened my mouth, so bear with me, okay?” he begins.

“Okayyyy.” Zach’s drawl is suspicious.

“I’m just here for the holidays. Only met Stormy tonight and couldn’t help but go for it. I mean, fucking look at her. She’s down, for reasons I’m not gonna ask, and it seems you may have fallen into the same big pile of serendipity as myself. One night. I got the room and I’m totally in. You?”

“Um…” I hear Zach hesitate, his feet shuffling awkwardly. “Stormy, can you look at me, sweetness?”

All damn day.

I lift my head and veer my eyes to his brilliant green ones, blushing just as hotly as him. He rubs the back of his neck and clears his throat, then looks me dead in the eyes. “You want this? Us both?” He then adds, pitch louder and clearer, “Two strangers?”

“It has to be strangers,” I mumble and his forehead creases, concerned by my unusual, ominous reply. “I just mean…one night is all I want, with people who can walk away and never come looking for me again. That I oddly, feel safe with. Sound like you?”

“Sounds like me,” Jax offers freely and all too eagerly.

“I knew that,” I snicker and push playfully at his chest.

Zach starts back toward us. “Yeah, I can do that. If you look me in the eyes and convince me you’re sober and cognitive of this decision, no regrets or doubts,” he says with the reverence of a man you meet at church, dine every Sunday with his family, and then go pick out paint colors for the walls of your suburban home.

“I had one drink, came here tonight looking for something like this, and got an added bonus when you strolled up. I want nothing more than tonight, and I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.” I leave Jax’s hold and enter Zach’s, reaching as far up on my tiptoes as I can to wrap my arms around his neck. “Meet me halfway,” I whisper, and he does, ducking his head to let his lips all but brush mine. “It’s Christmas, and I’ve been dutiful and nice all year. Show me naughty.”

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