And she was off-limits.

“Mr. Vale, got the car all polished up,” Calvin said, opening up a gleaming door. “And I stocked some cold coffees for you in the back. I know you prefer hot, but they don’t appear to make any kind of device to keep drinks warm in cars yet.”

“Thanks, Calvin,” I said, slipping in.

“So, where we heading?” he asked as he got behind the wheel.

“Bar B in Brooklyn. But we will probably be hitting up a few different clubs.”

“We?” he asked, gaze flicking up to the rearview.

“A… business associate and I.”

“Cool, cool. Sounds good to me. You know, this car could really use one of those privacy windows…”

“I’m not going to be fucking her in the car, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said, reaching for one of the cold coffee drinks. “We’re opening a club together. We are going to other clubs to scout out the competition.”

Maybe if I said it enough, I would start to believe it myself.

“Sure sure. Sounds like a good time, boss man. Have a drink or two for me.”

“Will do.”

I couldn’t be drinking.

I’d order one. Maybe sip. But the last thing I needed to do was lower my inhibitions around Saff.

We made it to Brooklyn just five minutes shy of when I told Saff I’d meet her, but Calvin lucked out with a spot just half a block away from the club.

Calvin turned to look at me just as my gaze caught sight of Saff walking down the street.

Was she still unsteady in her heels? Yeah. But you barely even noticed that when you saw the rest of her.

I’d imagined what her body was like under her business casual clothes. But not even my most vivid fantasies came close to the reality.

Saff had definitely come dressed for the club in a curve-hugging bodycon dress that dipped just low enough in the front to hint at cleavage. But it was clearly her legs she’d chosen to show off with the short skirt that left most of her thick thighs on display.

Calvin followed my gaze, then looked back at me.

“That her?” Calvin asked, letting out a little whistle.

I couldn’t blame him.

She looked so good she made a man want to fall at her feet and beg to be allowed to worship her.

“That’s her.”

“You got you a little pocket princess,” he said before rushing out of the car to open my door.

“Thanks, Calvin,” I said.

Saff was busy checking out the line for the club, dread spreading across her pretty face—likely imagining standing on that line in the heels she clearly wasn’t comfortable in—so I got another moment to drink her in.

“I’ll find me a good parking spot. Just shoot me a text when you’re ready to hit the next club.”

“Sounds good,” I said just as Saff’s head turned and her gaze landed on me.

I swear it did so with impact, knocking the air out of my lungs.