Only tonight

(Zara) The ride to his mansion was quiet, but my thoughts weren't. A few hours ago, I'd caught Ryan cheating with Chloe, thrown cake at him, and walked out of the life I'd spent three years building. Now I was sitting beside a stranger whose last name I didn't know. He seemed perfectly comfortable with the situation. I was trying not to panic. "You're thinking too much," he said. "You don't know what I'm thinking." "You're wondering whether coming with me was a mistake." I turned toward him. "Are you always this confident?" "Usually." "How unfortunate for everyone around you." He laughed, and I hated how much I liked the sound. I wasn't supposed to be enjoying myself after what had happened. But he hadn't asked me to explain my heartbreak or pretend I was fine. He'd simply made me laugh. "Do you take strangers home often?" I asked. "No." "That's exactly what someone who does would say." "Then why ask?" "I wanted to see if you'd lie convincingly." "And?" "I'm still deciding." The car passed through enormous gates and stopped outside a mansion. I stared at the tall windows, the landscaped grounds, and the expensive cars near the entrance. I'd known he had money, but this was ridiculous. I looked at him again. "You live here?" "For now." "Rich people really need to stop saying things like that." He opened my door himself, and I stepped onto the driveway. Inside, everything was marble, glass, black, and white. The living room looked larger than my entire apartment. I tried not to stare and failed. "Disappointed?" he asked. "A little. I expected at least one ridiculous gold statue." "I'll consider getting one." "Please don't." He led me into the kitchen and offered me a drink. I asked for water, earning an amused look. While he filled a glass, I watched him loosen his collar. I looked away when he caught me. "You're nervous," he said. "I'm standing in a stranger's kitchen." "You can leave whenever you want." I accepted the water. "Do you want me to?" "No. But I don't want you doing something you'll regret because someone hurt you." His answer surprised me. Ryan had spent months making me question myself, and this man was giving me a choice without asking for anything in return. I looked down at my glass. The kindness was harder to handle than the flirting. "I didn't come here to talk about my ex," I said. "Then we won't." "And if I want to stay?" "You stay." I placed my glass on the counter and walked toward him. He didn't reach for me, although his attention never left my face. I could have turned around and gone home. Instead, I grabbed his shirt and kissed him. He kissed me back, his hands settling at my waist. I drew him closer, forgetting the enormous kitchen and everything waiting for me outside it. When we separated, he studied my face. I knew what he was about to ask. "Yes, I'm sure," I told him. "I hadn't said anything." "You were about to." "Maybe I wanted another kiss." "Then ask nicely." "May I kiss you again, Trouble?" I laughed. "You're impossible." "Is that a yes?" I answered by kissing him. He lifted me onto the counter, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Every time I remembered why this was a bad idea, he gave me another reason to forget. When he carried me upstairs, I didn't protest. His bedroom had dark walls and tall windows overlooking the city. He set me down and waited while I looked around. I couldn't remember the last time a man had paid so much attention to what I wanted. I turned back to him. "No names," I reminded him. "Still your rule?" "Absolutely." "Then come here, Trouble." I went willingly. We kissed again, and soon our clothes were scattered beside the bed. He checked that I was comfortable, and I pulled him closer whenever he gave me room to reconsider. The hours passed in kisses, laughter, and moments I knew I'd remember longer than I should. Later, I woke beneath unfamiliar sheets with his arm around my waist. He was asleep beside me, his hair a mess against the pillow. Without his confident remarks, he looked younger and easier to approach. I watched him longer than I intended. I wanted to ask his name. That frightened me more than leaving with him had. Names led to questions, and questions led to expectations. I couldn't survive another relationship built on promises that meant nothing. Tonight was supposed to be an escape, not the beginning of something else. I slipped out of bed and found my dress near the chair. My wig and glasses lay beside my heels, reminding me of the woman I'd pretended to be at the bar. I dressed without waking him. Then I checked my phone. Ryan had called again. Chloe had sent more messages. I ignored them both and put my phone away. They'd already taken enough from me. I found my purse, but stopped when I noticed a notepad beside his watch. Disappearing without a word felt wrong after the way he'd treated me. Leaving my number felt even worse. I picked up the pen. *Thanks for the distraction. Try not to miss me too much.* I placed the note beside his watch and looked toward the bed. He hadn't moved. Part of me wondered what he'd say if he woke and found me there. Probably something arrogant that would make me laugh. I left before I could find out. Downstairs, I heard someone moving in another part of the house. I slipped outside and ordered an Uber near the gates. The cool air helped clear my head, although it did nothing about the strange feeling in my chest. I looked back at the mansion once. When my driver arrived, I climbed in and gave him my address. Monday was my first day at Wolfe Enterprises, and I needed to focus on building a new life. I couldn't afford to get distracted by a man I might never see again. Whatever happened upstairs belonged to one reckless night. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.