Too soon, we’re standing at his black Bentley. I wish the walk had been longer so Hayden could keep holding me. To my disappointment, he lets me go and leans me up against the car so he can open the passenger side door, then he helps me slide onto the soft, leather seats.
Hayden jogs around the front of the car, opens the door, and settles into the driver’s seat. Reaching into the backseat, he pulls out a navy sweatshirt and hands it to me. “Here, put this on.”
“You’re wet and must be cold too. I can’t take it from you.” I try to give it back to him. His large hands cover the tops of mine, stopping me.
“I’m fine. I don’t want you to freeze to death.”
“Thank you.” I slide the soft, warm sweatshirt over my body, getting surrounded by his manly scent.
“Better?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“Where am I taking you?” he asks.
I give Hayden my address, and he pulls onto the street.
“You danced atThe Templetonight?” The lights on the dashboard reflect on his face as he concentrates on driving.
“Yes, but I just dance, I don’t strip if that’s what you’re asking,” I say in case he doesn’t remember the time he watched me dance when he came into the club with his brothers. “Not that there’s anything wrong with stripping.” I get a little snappy. I’m tired of judgemental people.
For a second, he takes his hands off the wheel, holding them up like he’s surrendering. “Hey, it was just a question.”
“Sorry. When I tell people I dance at a strip club, most automatically judge. No one should pass judgment on how people have to make a living.”
“Agree. I’ve seen you dance, you’re very talented. I’d say your talent is wasted at a place like The Temple.”
So, he remembers. “Don’t I know it.”
He turns his head to give me a quick look before he flicks his attention back onto the road. “You don’t want to work there?”
“You’ve seen the club. What do you think?” Although the club is supposed to be stripping and lap dances only, theladies frequently take customers into a private room for a more ‘personal’ lap dance for extra cash.
“So why are you working there?”
Good question. WhyamI? “I moved from Paris to New York four years ago, determined to make it on my own. I needed money fast, and The Temple was hiring.” I’m still surprised they agreed to let me keep my clothes on. Although, what I wear leaves little to the imagination.
“Why New York?” He takes the corner and then stops at a red light.
“I grew up here, and I have big dreams of making it onto Broadway.” Is it actually my dream, or am I trying to live up to my family’s expectations? Either way, I have something to prove, and I will not fail.
Looking over at me, he says, “By your tone, I’m guessing it hasn’t worked out for you yet.”
I lean my elbow on the window and drop my head on my fist. “No, not really. Sometimes I wonder if it ever will. I’ve landed in the ensemble a couple of times, which was great. But my dream is a principal role.” That’s the only thing my parents will consider successful. “How long do I keep trying?”
“For as long as it feels right.”
“How do I know if it feels right?”
He turns toward me and looks straight into my eyes. Soft wings flutter in my chest. “If it makes you happy. When you feel that’s the only thing you want to do deep in your gut.”
At the moment, with Hayden looking at me that way, my gut’s telling me I want this man. This is crazy! I don’t even know him.
The light changes to green, and Hayden turns away and starts driving. Before I can think about what craziness is coming over me, he pulls up in front of my building. A run-down townhouse I used to share with Harper. Now that she’s married to Hayden’sbrother Finn, I haven’t looked for another roommate. No one can replace my best friend.
Unbuckling, I twist in the seat to face Hayden. “Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.” I want to ask him in…for what? Coffee… To chat… Sex?
I mentally slap my forehead. He did a good deed for me, and all I’m thinking about is wanting to take his clothes off. It’s only been three weeks since I last had sex. That was with a guy I’d been seeing for several months. The relationship ended when he wanted to invite other women into the bed. I haven’t been without sex long enough for me to be feeling this tight ball of lust.