Hush (Just This Once 1)

und of it or any other part of him. A man like this doesn’t cross my path often…well, never, if I’m being truthful.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say reluctantly.

I know that he’s looking for another hook up and if I thought I could handle that, I’d take his phone from his hand and key my contact information in myself. He’s the kind of man I could get addicted to. Eventually, I’d want more and that can’t happen.

“Why not?” He eyes me. “We’re sexually compatible. We like each other.”

“You like me,” I shoot back. “I didn’t say I like you.”

The corners of his full mouth rise into a brilliant smile revealing perfectly straight white teeth. “You like me, Jane. You want to see me again.”

“I’m not giving you my name or number.”

“Fair enough.” He steps even closer. “I won’t push but let me make something clear.”

I swallow hard as I look up at him. “What?”

“I’m going to spend weeks, if not months, stopping every blonde I see on the streets of Manhattan in the hope that it’s you.”

I want to say that I doubt he’ll remember me after tonight, but the intense look on his face tells me that there’s at least a seed of truth in his words.

He’s sinfully handsome. He wants me and all my insecurities are screaming that I need to walk out of this room and away from him forever.

He starts toward the main room and I follow, knowing that the chances that we’ll run into each other again are slim. New York City isn’t a big place but it’s filled with millions of faces and over time it’s easy to forget someone you spent only a few hours with.

“I’ll call down to the front desk to have them flag down a taxi for you, Jane.”

It’s considerate. It’s also unnecessary. There are a fleet of cars with drivers at the ready for anyone attending the wedding that needs a ride home tonight. The reception isn’t set to end for another thirty minutes so I’ll be able to get back to my apartment without a problem. “I have that covered.”

He leans down and brushes his lips over mine. “Get home safely, beautiful. I promise I won’t follow you.”

A smile teases the corner of my mouth. I should walk out of here and not look back. We had fun and if we part like this, I’ll have the memory of this night forever.

I reach for the door handle and then turn back to get one last look at him. His hair is mussed, his shirt is dishevelled and he’s eyeing me with a need that is palpable. I could leave and try my best to forget about him, or I can guarantee that our paths cross again.

I look him straight in the eye. “If you happen to stop by the Roasting Point Café at the corner of Lexington and 42 nd any weekday morning around eight, you’ll find that blonde you’re looking for.”

“Good to know, Jane. That’s good to know,” he says with a sly grin before I turn and leave, with the hope that I’ll see him bright and early on Monday morning.

Chapter 6

Chloe

I stand near the glass door and sip my tea while I scan the face of every man who enters the café. I know that I’ll recognize Evan as soon as I see him even if I have no idea if he’ll be wearing a suit and tie, jeans or gym clothes.

This is the third morning that I’ve stood in this spot waiting until eight fifteen before I head out the door and walk two blocks to my office.

When he didn’t show on Monday, I convinced myself it was because he didn’t want to appear too eager. Yesterday, I decided that reason he wasn’t in the café was related to a busy schedule. It’s Wednesday now, and I’m running out of excuses for why he’s not here.

That’s not entirely true. I do have an idea about why he hasn’t walked through the entrance. Saturday night was fun, but maybe when dawn broke on Sunday morning, he realized that our one-night stand needed to remain a memory from his past and not become part of his future.

I look down at the screen of my phone. It’s now seventeen minutes past eight, and I have a client meeting me at my office in thirteen minutes. If I leave now, I’ll make it with little time to spare.

I start toward the door trying to subtly push my way past the people walking into the café. Ever since this place opened a year-and-a-half ago, it’s been steadily becoming more popular.

There was a time when I could walk in and have my tea in my hand within three minutes. Now, I’m lucky if I get in and out in twenty.

“Hey.” A hand brushes against my shoulder. “What are the chances that I’d see you here?”