EX

k on the counter, sli

from the till. "That'

t my friend has my wallet, and she left. I'm so sorry for being a pain

h is now about three quarters full, to me. She

so sorry-but I can't

t me to give it to

I'm givin

lat voice. "It's not like I can j

y wallet before Clara left? Better yet, why

se. Just a big, empty apartment that I don't even belong in anymore, if I ever did in the first place. The longer I stay here,

wish I didn't have to be this person, but I can't pay for this

the bar top. "That might work in other clubs, bu

to remember that she is just doing her job. She could be a

throwing my hands up in exasp

lashes. "Please, Ms. Bartender," she continues in a baby voice. "My frie

now imagine I'm seeing Grant's blonde skank standin

ut a drink that probably cost les

rtender is refusing to give me a break even though I desperately need one. The world is

Bitch, have you looked

definitely ge

k," I groan. "Why do you

Just dig a few crumpled dollars from between t

"So I'm actually going to ta

as the tall man I saw earlier appears at my

He is so close that his earthy scent invades

away. "Mind yo

arrival. Typical. I bet he is the kind of asshole who hangs around places like

ver the bar top. The bartender snatches i

change," h

e next customer, bringing our int

, he is significantly taller than me, so I

covered,

rner, the barest hint

over annoyance has to go somewhere. This rich asshole fits the bill perfectly. I bet he has had ev

simple misunderstanding, and I

of misund

nd left with some guy and took my wallet. I did

left you?"

ea

from the bar. "Then you have no ex

fact that maybe

too bad, because the wa

licious? My head fills with visions of him undressing me, laying

ink," I

. "One

with him. Doing exactly as I am told. I glance up at him as we move through the crowd, tracing the long line of his jaw and his full, st

ve a drink with this smoking-hot stranger and go home. Would that be so bad? He intrigues me, and if I'm be

y at the far end overlooking the club below. Deep aquamarine lights line the booth's roof, giving the interior an other

lectricity sizzles up the side of my

hear him better, I note that his voice is

sip my drink

ab

rian name. It doesn't really su

y?" he asks, ti