Twice as Sexy (The Sexy 2)

Feeling guilty but determined, she rushed through the club and headed out the front door and into the dark night. Her Uber was waiting, the driver repeating her name to her before she climbed into the back of the car, shutting the door and putting Tanner behind her.

Except during the ride home, she couldn’t forget the night she’d had, the sexy, forceful way he’d taken her, and how much she’d enjoyed every second she’d spent with him. She owed Leigh for convincing her to go out or she’d never have had such an incredible night.

Happy birthday to me, she thought, as the car took her farther away from the club and the man she’d never forget.

Chapter Three

Tanner hated dealing with escalating disputes, but that was part of his job. He especially hated leaving the warm, willing woman upstairs in his bed to remind assholes that his club was an upscale establishment and he wouldn’t tolerate bullshit. If his security couldn’t get the people involved to willingly leave, Tanner or one of the other partners came down and banned them from the club for good. Luckily they didn’t need to call the cops in on this one, and eventually the douchebags left the premises.

But he’d been gone over forty minutes by the time he headed back upstairs, and he discovered his apartment and his bed empty. He ran a hand through his hair as he studied the rumpled sheets, the memory of the gorgeous blonde making his dick rise.

Shit.

He’d really wanted to go another round or two. And that wasn’t his typical MO. He ought to be happy she was gone, making the morning after easier on them both. Instead his stomach was churning with disappointment. What the hell was that about?

He pulled off his sweater and stripped naked, sliding between the now cool sheets that still smelled of sex and Scarlett. He had to admit, her disappearing on him had taken him off guard. It stung his ego, yes, because for sure he’d been interested in her as maybe even more than a one-night stand. But obviously she’d been thinking differently. Hell, she’d said as much when he’d admitted to getting bored of the club bunnies who wanted something from him afterwards. So maybe he got what he deserved with her pulling a vanishing act.

He placed his hand behind his head and stared at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. Eventually he must have dozed off because the light streaming through the window woke him in the morning.

He stretched, covered his morning wood with his hand, pissed again that Scarlett had bailed on him. She’d been sassy with how she’d approached him, refreshingly honest in what she wanted, clearly smart, and fun. And he didn’t even know her last name.

He shook his head, further annoyed with himself for how he’d let the night play out. He should have asked more questions in case he wanted to see her again. Of course, he did own the club, and if she’d paid by credit card, he could pull last night’s receipts and search for her unique first name. That would give him her last name.

Not that a last name in a place as big as Manhattan would enable him to find her. Assuming she even lived in the city.

Fuck.

Glancing to the side of the bed where she’d been, his gaze fell on a simple gold chain lying by the pillows. Picking it up, he turned it over in his hand, noticing a small heart that links had broken off of. It wasn’t an expensive item and it was interesting to him that Scarlett wore something so delicate and fragile.

But as he examined the piece, he realized that now she’d have a reason to return to the club, assuming the bracelet meant something to her. Tanner wasn’t a big believer in hope, but it was all he had at the moment. Hope that Scarlett would come back to find her missing jewelry.

* * *

Scarlett came home and showered, then climbed into bed and fell into a deep sleep. She woke up, sore in the best possible ways, thanks to Tanner. She might not make it a habit of sleeping with men she just met but she couldn’t regret her night with him.

Wearing nothing but her robe and a cropped tee shirt underneath, she headed for the kitchen and poured herself a glass of orange juice and drank while she popped a K-cup into the coffee brewer. A few minutes later, she sat with her coffee and a protein bar, staring at her laptop screen.

She needed to check email because her boss didn’t stop working just because it was the weekend, but she was tempted to look up Club TEN29 and see what she could learn about one owner in particular. Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard and she stopped herself, opening her mail program instead. She and Tanner had agreed on one night, and besides, if she learned more about him, she’d only be more curious and want to get to know him better. No time. Not happening.