Sure she’d grown up in town but it’d been years since she’d come back. A lot had changed. Most of her high school friends had moved on, or had babies. They wouldn’t be in a place like this. Other than Jack. He still worked at one of the casinos – no babies. But Vegas was his city. He was meant to be here.
Sighing, she scanned the crowd for him. He and Adam were either making out or fighting. When she didn’t spot them, she turned back to the man she’d been nearly drooling over before.
He’d shifted and was facing her now as he tied off the coil of rope. Riley’s breath caught in her throat. Strong jaw, dark stubble on his chin, heavily shadowed eyes but she knew they were a warm brown when he smiled.
Nathanial Sexton.
Fuck.
She hadn’t seen him in…seven years? Things between them hadn’t ended well.
Fuck fuck fuck.
She had to get out of here before he saw her. She fought the urge to jump over the bar and hide behind it but that would only draw more attention.
Shit. Where was Jack?
She started to casually slide away, keeping an eye on him. If he looked up from what he was doing, she’d turn and run. Yeah. That sounded like a good plan. Not immature at all.
God he was hotter than ever. He’d been boyish cute when they’d been together in high school, but now… This was a whole other level.
He looked up. Caught her gaze. His brow furrowed. Recognition set in. She’d forgotten to run. Too late now.
She was helpless to look away. Biting her lip, she gave an underwhelming little wave. He made a beeline for her. His eyes darkened as he grew closer, reminding her of a predator stalking his prey. She shrunk back a bit, self-consciously yanked on her mini-skirt then her tank top.
“Riley Dawson?” he said when he drew up to her.
“What are you doing here?” she blurted.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
Her cheeks heated. Of all the place to run into an ex, a BDSM club had to be the worst. “I, uh…I’m just here with a friend.”
He chuckled. “Just being supportive? Sure, okay.”
Still so cocky. But now he had every reason to be. Her gaze lingered a moment on his abs, appreciating each subtle bulge even as her brain protested. “God it’s been forever. You really…” she forced her betraying eyes up, “filled out.”
Smooth. Real smooth.
His lips quirked. “And you’re even more beautiful than I remembered.”
Be still my heart.
No, Riley! He was probably taken. A guy this hot? She checked his ring finger. Hmm. No ring. Still…a girlfriend or something.
“There you are!” Jack appeared beside her. “Did you find someone to play –” He stopped when he noticed Nate then cast him a wide grin. “Well hello.”
Riley stepped on his foot in warning. If he found out this was her ex, she’d never hear the end of it. The last thing she wanted to do was rehash…all of that.
“I’m Nate,” he said to Jack. “Sorry, are you two together?”
Riley blurted a short laugh.
“Just friends,” Jack answered. “You’re more my type.”
Nate nodded. “Sorry – straight.”
“That’s a shame,” Jack teased. “Straight, huh? Well, Riley, here, is single.”