The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“Yo, bro!” I hear Killian yell to me over the loud music and chatter in the club. “I’m out.” I look up long enough to lock eyes with him. I was curious as to why I haven’t seen him much tonight, but the doe-eyed woman by his side answers my question. He found Melissa. I tilt my chin up in acknowledgement then bring my attention back to the woman in my arms.

Gliding my hand over her ass and up her back, I grip the back of her head, entwining my fingers in her thick mane, and pull back enough so she can make eye contact with me.

“Are you drunk?”

She looks up at me and shakes her head. “No.”

“Want to get out of here?”

Her lids are hooded over with lust, and she bites down on her bottom lip as she considers my question. What I thought was an act—her not knowing who I am—I’m starting to think isn’t one after all. Because let’s be real, if she knew who I was, she wouldn’t even be contemplating whether or not to leave with me. I’m Nick fucking Shaw. Any woman who knows who I am would be begging me to leave with them. I have a reputation of being stellar in the sack, which I take seriously. And even if I sucked in bed, they would still come because money talks. Now, with all the buzz about the possibility of me signing a multi-million-dollar contract tomorrow, women are all over me trying to get on this money train. So, as I watch this woman consider whether it’s a good idea or not to leave with me, I’m thinking she has no clue who the hell I am.

“Okay,” she finally says, a small smile playing on her deliciously bee-stung lips that look like they were made to be wrapped around my cock. “Let me text my friend and let her know I’m leaving.” Her friend and the guy she ran into joined us earlier for a quick drink, but then they excused themselves to dance.

Grabbing her by her hand, I guide her toward the side exit of the club. I’m going to have to hail a cab since we’ve both been drinking. The last thing I need is to get a DUI when I’m about to be back on a team playing ball again.

Just as we’re about to leave, I spot Celeste, and her eyes meet mine. I give her a chin-jerk toward the door to let her know I’m leaving, and she rolls her eyes at me. She’s used to me leaving with a different woman from the club.

“I’m staying at the Ritz,” Brown-Eyes says once we’re outside. “It’s only one block over.”

“Sounds good to me.”

We head to her hotel in silence. We walk through the lobby, and she presses the button for the elevator. Once we’re inside, she says, “I know it’s probably going to sound cliché, but I’ve never done this before.” Her honesty paralyzes me. She’s a complete contradiction to everything I’ve ever known. I’m used to women who make a career out of bedding guys like me.

Pushing her gently against the elevator wall, I brush my lips against hers. They’re soft and plump and taste fruity, and they have me craving more. “I’ll take care of you.” I give her another kiss, this time my tongue pushes into her mouth. Our tongues swirl against one another as our kiss deepens. She pulls back slightly, her chest rising and falling quickly as she catches her breath.

“I don’t even know your name.” Her words come out breathless, and I find myself wanting to know what she’ll sound like when she’s calling out my name. Then it hits me. She just said she doesn’t know my name, confirming she has no idea who I am. I look into her eyes, trying to find some type of untruth in her words, but all I see is a beautiful, brown-eyed woman staring at me with want in her eyes. Not want for my money or status or fame, but just plain and simple want. This woman is either going to win an academy award for her acting skills or she’s telling the truth.

“I’m Cole.”

“I’m Liv.” Her lips upturn into a small, shy smile as I take her in. She’s fucking beautiful. From her silky brown hair to the slight pink tint on her cheeks that tells me she really is this innocent. The elevator dings, and I follow her lead, not knowing where we’re going. Once we get to her room, she pulls a key out of the back pocket of her short shorts, which show off her toned legs, and walks in first. I follow behind, my eyes raking down her body, landing on her muscular calves and her sexy fuck-me heels.

She stops in the center of the room and catches me checking her out.