It was crazy how just a few minutes with him could shift everything inside me.

Emma’s POV

I honestly did not know why I had agreed to this. Dinner with Maddie and Jackson was one thing, but tagging along as the obvious third wheel? No thank you. They were one of those couples who could not keep their hands off each other, all smiles and casual touches, practically radiating their love for the world to see. Cute for them, but painfully awkward for me.

“Remind me again why you both needed me here tonight?” I teased as we stepped into the restaurant. “Should this not be date night?”

The look Maddie gave me said everything. A guilty little half-smile, Jackson mirroring the same. My stomach dropped. They were definitely up to something. And then I saw him.

“Hey guys,” a tall man with dark hair and kind eyes greeted, his smile easy and confident.

That was when it hit me. They had set me up. On a date. A date I had absolutely no interest in going on. My eyes darted to Maddie, and sure enough, she was already bracing herself for the lecture I was going to give her later. For now, though, I forced myself to be polite.

“Emma, this is Noel. Noel, Emma,” Jackson introduced quickly, clearly pleased with himself.

“It is nice to meet you,” I said, stretching a smile across my face.

“You too,” Noel replied warmly. His smile, I had to admit, was pretty nice. And yes, he was attractive, taller than me, fit, with a presence that suggested he looked after himself. None of that changed the fact that I did not ask to be here.

The four of us sat down, Maddie and Jackson across from us while Noel slid into the seat beside me. Perfect. Now it really felt like a double date. We ordered drinks, and all I could think about was how much I hated first dates, especially the kind I never agreed to in the first place. Forced small talk? My personal nightmare.

“How long have you been friends with them?” Noel asked, turning to me with an expression that felt genuine.

Thank God he started the conversation, because I had no idea what to say.

“Since we were kids,” I said with a small smile. “What about you and them?”

“About seven years,” he answered easily, his own smile never wavering.

Silence stretched between us again, the kind that makes every second feel longer than it is. Thankfully, the waiter arrived with our drinks. I picked mine up and nearly downed it in one go, desperate for something to ease the awkwardness. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Maddie and Jackson watching us, practically willing me to keep talking.

If only it were that simple. Sure, sometimes two people clicked instantly. But other times, like right now, it just did not happen that way. I prayed the whole night would not drag on like this. If it did, I might need to invent an excuse to escape. That would be rude, yes, but it was quickly becoming my backup plan.

*************

My back pressed against the cool wall of the building, trying to steady myself, though it wasn’t just the alcohol making my legs weak. His voice alone could undo me.

“You know exactly what I mean,” I murmured, my words shaky but heavy with longing.

“Damn right I do,” he replied, his tone low and sinful. “Tell me, Emma. Did you think about me while you were sitting across from him? Did you wish it was me instead?”

I closed my eyes, my heart hammering at the truth in his words. “Yes,” I admitted softly, almost like a confession. “I couldn’t stop comparing. None of them will ever be you.”

A dark chuckle rumbled through the speaker, and I bit my lip, the sound igniting every nerve in my body.

“You’re mine, even when you try to play at dating someone else,” he said firmly. “And you love it.”

I exhaled shakily, my free hand gripping the phone tighter. “Zane… you make me crazy.”

“Good,” he growled. “Because I’m going crazy too. I’ve been working non-stop, but all I can think about is bending you over the moment I see you again. I want to hear you moan my name, not some other guy’s.”

My whole body heated, and I glanced back at the door, making sure no one had followed me out. “You can’t just say things like that to me while I’m standing outside a bar,” I whispered, even though my voice trembled with excitement.

“I can and I will,” he shot back smugly. “Now be a good girl and tell me… do you want me right now?”

“No, he can’t,” I said honestly. There was no point in pretending, especially not when I’d been drinking. Alcohol always worked like truth serum for me, which was another reason I knew I should stop and leave before I accidentally let something slip about Zane in front of Maddie. That would be a complete disaster.

“I know, baby. You don’t need to say it,” he replied gently. “Do you want me to come pick you up and take you home?”

The thought of leaving with him sounded far better than sitting here pretending with Noel. No offence to him, but even he would probably be relieved if this night came to an early end. We both knew nothing was happening between us, no matter how hard Maddie and Jackson tried to push it.

“Yes, please. I think that would be best,” I said with a laugh.

“Alright. Text me when you can sneak away and tell me where you’ll be. I’ll meet you down the street so Maddie won’t see us,” he said.

“See you soon. Bye,” I said before hanging up.

On the way back inside, I tried to think of a believable excuse to leave. When I reached the table, I noticed Noel standing at the bar, already deep in conversation with another girl. They looked like they were hitting it off far better than he and I ever did.

“Guys, I think I’m gonna head home. Too much to drink,” I laughed lightly.

“I’m sorry,” Jackson said, nodding toward Noel.

“It’s fine,” I assured him. “There wasn’t anything between us anyway. Thanks for tonight. I’ll see you both soon.”

I made quick plans with Maddie for tomorrow before convincing them not to walk me out. Once I slipped outside, I texted Zane, telling him where to find me. He said he was on his way.

Five minutes later, his car pulled up. He rolled down the window with that cocky grin of his.

“Hey, sexy. Need a lift?” he teased with a wink.

“Yes, please, handsome stranger,” I shot back, winking right back at him.

I giggled as I climbed into the car. The moment I turned toward him, he leaned over and kissed me, hard and fast. The sudden heat of his lips against mine sent that familiar fire racing through my body. It only lasted a moment before he pulled back, smirking.

“Let’s get your sexy, drunk ass home, baby,” he chuckled.

“Yes, please,” I said, laughing again.

“And then you can tell me all about your blind date from hell.”

I rolled my eyes at him, glaring playfully, but I couldn’t fight the smile tugging at my lips. It was crazy how just a few minutes with him could shift everything inside me.