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“I’m a real estate attorney,” he said. “I buy properties and redevelop them into more lucrative opportunities.”

“Like shopping centers?”

“Sometimes.” He stretched out his legs. “Most times it’s office buildings or strip stores and malls that are no longer in use. Other times it could be neighborhoods that could use redevelopment. It’s all very boring.”

“Sounds like it.” I laughed. “Do you get to attend these kinds of functions often? Meet lots of rich people and beautiful women to spend the night with?” Shit! “Not that I think you have a lot of sex. I mean, you probably do, because you’re fucking amazing at it. Well, not that I would know, considering I haven’t done it in a long time.”

“You talk a lot.”

“I know.”

“I like it,” he said. “Most people are afraid of me and don’t really take the time to get to know me.”

“Why?”

“I can be ruthless when I need to be.”

“In business?”

“That’s really all I have time for, so yes.” He twirled his finger around my hair. “To answer your question, I do attend things like tonight’s event all the time. If I’m not discussing business or looking for potential business opportunities, I’m not very happy. I do meet plenty of beautiful women, but you are by far the most stunning woman I’ve ever met.”

“You already got me into bed. You don’t have to keep charming me.” Although, I didn’t hate his attention.

“That’s how you can trust I mean it.” He tugged on the end of my hair. “I’m not trying to persuade you to do anything. I made an exception tonight. I don’t often invite strangers into my bed.”

“Why did you?” I looked up at him. “Why me?”

“There was something about you that drew me in from the start.” He stroked my cheek. “You’re different than the women I’m used to.”

“I’m poor.” I giggled. “I borrowed someone else’s shoes to be here.”

“How very Cinderella of you.”

“I guess.” I rolled my eyes. “But I know you can’t be my prince.”

“I’m not a prince.” He shook his head. “I’m more the villain.”

“Why would you say that?” I propped myself up and stared at him, wishing we could have more time together. He intrigued me, but I didn’t belong in his world. We came from two very different places. “You’ve been nice to me.”

“You’re easy to be nice to.” He traced his finger across my collarbone. “We’re not business rivals.”

“I don’t think I’d ever find myself in a situation where I’d have to be your rival.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad I came. It’s been a rough few weeks, and it was fun leaving my reality for a bit.”

“I’m sorry you’re having a tough time.”

“You don’t have to be sorry.” I shrugged. “It’s the holiday season. I came to a really cool party and I got to meet you. I can deal with my life in the morning.”

“I can relate.” He cupped the side of my face. “Right now, I’d like to focus on you.”

“I like being your focus.” Having an intriguing, older man this close, wanting to spend the evening with me, was more than I ever dreamed of. I wanted to make the most of it.

He leaned in to kiss me but stopped and gazed into my eyes. The power in his took my breath away. No one had ever looked at me with such hunger. He could ask me for anything and I’d give it to him. I would surrender myself to his every desire. If only we had more than tonight.

“You’ve managed to turn my world upside down in a matter of a few hours.” He brushed his lips along mine. “I’m not easily taken.”

“It seems as if we both wandered into uncharted territory.” I ran my fingers through his thick hair before pressing my lips to his and initiating the kiss. A full-on, deep, sultry connection that I would remember for the rest of my life.

It was more than a kiss. It was an experience. Being with him helped me realize that taking a chance didn’t always have to have negative consequences. Sometimes jumping in and not overthinking could be cathartic. He was exactly what I needed tonight.