Page 7 of Forbidden Desires

Dallas’s eyes flick between us rapidly as he tries to piece together this picture. “We will talk about this later, Gigi,” he mutters under his breath, then storms off like the drama queen he is. What he doesn’t know is I don’t plan on sticking around long enough for us to have that conversation. That interaction was the last straw. I need a break from this place, my mind is now one hundred percent made up.

When he’s out of eyesight, I slip out of the stranger’s hold, gazing up at him. There is a warmth in his eyes I like. “Thank you for that. He’s had too much to drink and wasn’t listening to me,” I say, so appreciative he even noticed I was in trouble.

“I could see. An ex?” He raises an unimpressed brow.

“Ex-boyfriend, ex-cast mate.” I shrug. “A mistake wanting a second chance.” I shudder at the thought. “I’m Gigi,” I introduce myself, smiling warmly as I hold out my hand for him to shake. He places his large hand in mine, and I feel that jolt of energy again. I can’t for the life of me understand it, but whatever it is, I like it. I get the feeling I should stick around a little longer and find out what my Southern hero’s story is. I mean, he did just save me and all that. I should offer him a drink or something to thank him.

“Brody. I hear you’re a big star around here. My uncle over there saw your show last week and said you’re incredible.”

I look to where he’s pointing to see a well-dressed man in a gray suit, probably in his mid-forties, and he offers a wave. I wave back with a polite smile, just like my mother taught me. “That’s nice of him to say,” I say, feeling the ping of disappointment. He wanted to come over here because of who I am. I shouldn’t be surprised. “So, you’re here with him tonight?”

“It’s my last night in New York for a while. We were having a drink before I leave,” he says, sounding down about it.

“Oh, that’s nice. I was going to offer you a drink to say thank you, but maybe I should let you get back to him,” I offer, notreally ready for him to leave but feeling bad I have interrupted his night with Dallas dramatics.

“He’s about to head home. He’s old and needs his beauty sleep, his words not mine.” He chuckles. “I was coming over to ask you if you wanted to join me for a drink. That was before I saw you slap the asshole.”

I smirk, still not believing I just slapped Dallas. I’m actually proud of myself. And a lot excited he was already coming over to ask me to join him for a drink. “That sounds nice.” A drink with a sexy Southern stranger could be just what I need tonight. Get me out of the funk I’ve been in.

“Champagne again?” he asks.

“No, I’ll have whatever it was you were having. Looks a lot more appetizing.” I laugh, relaxing.

He leans over the bar and orders two bourbons on the rocks, while I text Cassie to let her know to go home without me. She looks over and smiles cheekily when she sees who I’m standing with. I give her a little wave, and she blows me a kiss. A message comes back from her telling me to be careful and call her in the morning. I’m going to miss her like crazy if I do decide to leave.

Brody passes me my drink, and I follow him through the bar to a quiet table, thankfully away from the rest of our crew.

His dark eyes are on me, making my cheeks heat again. I sip my drink, comfortable in the silence between us. I get the impression he’s not a big talker, and I can’t stop looking at him long enough to string a sentence together. He’s so damn fine, with broad shoulders and deep brown eyes that stare right into my soul. Now that we’re this close to each other, I can see he’s a little older than me, maybe mid-thirties. His hair is dark, longer on top but trimmed neatly on the sides. I can’t help but wonder what the story is behind his rugged exterior. His suit, while it fits him like a glove, looks out of place. Like there is so much more to him than just another charming big-city billionaire.

His dark eyes are ablaze with desire that makes me grab my drink and chug a mouthful, trying to cool off the fire he has ignited inside me. They roam down my body. “That dress, it’s very…”

“Eye-catching, I know.” I laugh nervously. I’m not even sure why, but all of a sudden, under his gaze I feel all lit up inside. “You’d think since I hate being noticed, I would wear something more inconspicuous, but I love a fun costume, even when I’m not on stage. I just had to wear it for my last night with our crew.”

“You wear it well.” He takes a drink, his eyes not leaving me for a second. “How are you a stage performer who doesn’t like attention?”

“My mom was an actress, a brilliant one, and my dad’s a producer. I was born into this industry.” I shrug. “But it doesn’t fit me. I’m thinking of a change.” I smile, feeling hopeful.

“What will you do?” he asks, looking genuinely interested.

I take my drink, holding it in both hands and staring into the amber liquid, hoping it might show me the answers I’m looking for, just like a tea reader would with tea leaves. But I get nothing. I return my attention to Brody. “That is the question of the night. Something different, away from my parents and the spotlight. Maybe I’ll go work on an apple farm picking fruit.” I laugh, and Brody looks just as amused at the idea of me on a farm. I get it, I don’t look like the type to be in rubber boots and a flannel shirt, sweating in the sun, but anything has to be better than feeling like I’m suffocating. “I really have no idea.”

“You’re young, you still have time to make up your mind.”

“I guess. My parents sure are going to kill me. They have invested so much money in me, hoping I would turn out just like them, but I need a break. I feel trapped here and like I have to escape.” I exhale heavily. “That probably sounds so silly.”

He takes my hand in his. “No, it doesn’t. Parents don’t always know what’s best for us, they just think they do.”

“What do you do?” I ask, hoping for some insight into who this guy is. I feel like we have been talking about me since he rescued me, and I know very little about him. Other than how much I want to run my hands through the stubble of his beard as he kisses me. I’m not the kind of girl who has random hookups with strangers; in fact, until tonight, I have never even contemplated the idea, but this guy has my body practically begging to be taken by him.

He looks uncomfortable by my question. “For the next twelve months I’m running a family business back home,” he answers, still making it sound so mysterious.

“Oh, that sounds like a lot of responsibility.” I guess. I have no idea what it would be like. I finish the last slither of my drink and place it on the table in front of me. “You don’t want to talk shop, do you.”

He pulls me toward him a little closer and drops his lips to my ear. “No. I had something else in mind.” The way he says it sends butterflies racing around my entire body. I want something else with him as well. He’s the hottest guy I have ever seen, and oh my God, the way he looks at me, the heat in his eyes makes me want to drop to my knees at his feet and do whatever dirty thing he suggests. This is so unlike me, but for once, I don’t care. I want a reckless night of fun with a stranger I’ll never see again. Tonight can be the start of my new life. Gigi the Broadway star, too scared to really live her life, testing out Gisele the woman leaving the old me behind and living on gut feelings, just seeing where that takes me.

I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to find the confidence to ask for what I want.

“Gigi, I’m not one to beat around the bush. You want to get out of here?”

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