Chapter 10

"Zoe!!!!"
"Are you ok?"
"Matt told us everything! He feels terrible!" Abby and Lexie talked over each other. They were waiting in the hospital room when they brought her back from her last round of x-rays. The pain killers made it so Zoe had no idea how long she had been at the hospital but she knew was ready to go home.

"I'm fine, they said that once they get the x-ray results for my ankle I should be able to go home. I am so glad to see you two." As the nurse left the room Abby and Lexie pulled chairs up next to Zoe.

"You look like shit." Abby stated.
"Jesus Abby, be nice." Lexie smacked Abby's arm.
"Did David Moore really carry you out of the club? We know he brought you here but Matt said he was the one to carry you out! David Moore?!" Abby whispered.

Zoe was relieved when the doctor entered before she had to try and answer the question.

"Well Zoe, it looks like the ankle is just sprained, you will need to ice it and stay off it for a couple days but you should be fine. All in all, your injuries look a lot worse than they actually are. With a couple days rest you are going to be ok. You just need to stay home, rest, and be sure to have someone with you to keep an eye on you. The concussion seems to be mild but with head injuries it is essential to monitor those first few days." Dr. Reddy gave a sweet smile to Zoe and the girls as she put the chart down. "If you don't have any further questions we will get you checked out of here."

"Thank you, Doctor." Zoe said "That would be great."

The Doctor smiled and nodded then left the room. Zoe sighed and looked at the girls who were both on their phones texting.
 "Kelli says she hopes you feel better and she'll be by to visit once she is back in town." Lexie said without looking up from her phone.
"Matt says he hopes your okay and said to text him if..." Abby looked up in shock at the door way and Zoe looked to see what could possible stop Abby mid sentence.

David stood in the doorway in a fresh suit, Zoe realized it was morning as her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to be in his arms again. He looked only at her, his stone face showing no emotion but his eyes looking brighter than they had as his face had faded from her vision the night before. He had looked so concerned last night and that made her ache for his touch even more. Maybe he was more complicated than she had believed, maybe he wanted her for more than...what did he want her for?

"Matt is so hot Zoe, you really need to pursue that option ASAP, especially while he's still feeling awful for the whole dance floor incident." Lexie continued talking, eyes glued to her phone, oblivious to the new person in the room. Abby smacked her arm and Lexie's jaw dropped as she watched David walk over to Zoe's bedside.

"Good morning Zoe, how are you feeling?" It was as if Abby and Lexie did not exist, his eyes stayed on nothing but Zoe.

"Better, much better. Thank you so much for everything and I am so so-"
"You have nothing to apologize for." He cut her off.
"Zoe, we'll be right out here if you need us." Abby was dragging Lexie from the room as she said it. Zoe was thankful that David did not seem to notice what fools they were making of themselves, he didn't even glance at them.

As Zoe sat in her hospital bed she realized how awful she must look compared to this chiseled god like man standing next to her. Her long red hair was wild and dirty, she was sure her makeup was smeared if not completely gone, and she wore nothing but a thin hospital gown. She could feel a light throbbing from her forehead where she was sure there was a bump and probably some bruises from where she hit her head. She felt ridiculous as the same ache for him grew inside her as it had before, she knew that with how she must look it could only be her that felt the pull of him, the wanting for him.

He lifted a hand and gently ran his fingers along her hair line, moving some wild stray hairs back behind her ear. Her breath hitched at his touch.

"Did that hurt? I am so sorry. I just..." He sat on the edge of the bed, as if it were exactly where he belonged. He stared deep into her eyes and she was lost to him. He had to know the power he had over her.

"No, it's fine. I'm ok." She could barely hear herself as she whispered the words. She felt a longing deep within her.

"I just wanted to check on you, see if you were doing better. It sounds as though they will be sending you home soon?" His eyes searched her face for an answer.

"Yeah, they are just getting the paperwork in order. I'll be very glad to go home."
"I've told them to contact you employer with your off work notice and all bills will be sent to V. I will take care of everything so if they try and contact you let me know." The fantasy playing out in Zoe's head ended, he was here for business. She had been injured at opening night at his club and he was here to cover his tracks, not to profess some fondness for her. As much as she ached for him the reality of what they were was purely a physical escapade that he could easily pass by. "I also wanted to give you my personal cell number, if there is anything you need while recovering please let me know. I take it you live alone?"

"Yes, but I think Abby and Lexie are going to take turns watching me. You really don't need to do any of this, it's really all too much - "
"No. It's not. You shouldn't be alone the next few days, if they can't be there I expect you to call me. Understand?" His voice was all business as his eyes stayed locked on hers.
"Yes. Thank you." She nodded with reluctance. She could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes as the exhausted amplified her embarrassment at misreading the situation. Yet again she mistook his intentions as possibly being something more than what they were and she only had herself to blame.

He nodded and looked her over slowly, starting at her feet and working up to her eyes again. He ran his fingers along her jawbone, lightly raising her chin towards him. Chills went down her spine as he gently held her face in his hand. He moved in close, bringing his lips to her ear. She felt his lips brush her skin as he spoke n the softest whisper. A whisper that melted her very core.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again."

Chapter 9

"Clear the way."
"This way, can you carry her up the stairs?"
"Yeah, just lead the way."
"Did you see what happened?"
"She was behind me. I felt her pull and then all of the sudden she wasn't holding my hand anymore so I looked back and she was down and out. I thought they were going to step all over her."
"How much did she have to drink?"
"Two, maybe three at most. I don't think that had anything to do with it."
"Here, set her down here. Sarah, go get some water and a cold damp rag an- Jesus, look at her head. Get some ice."
"Yes, sir....Should...should I call 911?"
"No! No...Not yet."

Zoe could hear them talking over the roar of the music. Fuzzy images faded in and out: black chandeliers floating above her, a tall figure in a suit ahead of her, a girl looking at her nervously, David's face no longer made of stone, etched with concern.

A shrill voice broke through, "Mr. Moore, is she okay? This is all my fault! I didn't see her and I jumped back and I think I broke her ankle and..." Something stopped the panicked girl from talking and Zoe felt a warm touch along her calf followed by a sharp pain at her ankle. She winced.

"Zoe...Zoe...Hey, there you are." Her eyes had never felt so heavy as she struggled to open them. Matt's soft voice and beaming face still held a smile but a smile that was trying to hide concern. Just behind him was David, she saw his attention turn towards her as soon as her eyes fully opened. His stone face looking more grave than usual. She felt a cool damp towel on her forehead as she struggled to take in her surroundings.

She realized she was in the upstairs balcony on one of the plush couches overlooking the dance floor. She could see the party below had not stopped but she was surrounded by concerned faces. Matt was kneeling in front of the couch in front of her, to his side was David sitting in a chair brought over from a nearby table. Next to David stood a young woman holding a bag of ice, an employee of the club waiting for David's instructions. Near her stood small a group of girls, lightly sweaty, probably from the dance floor, the girl in the front of the group looked as though she was near tears. Behind them stood a few more employee's ready and waiting for instructions. All eyes were on Zoe.

"I don't know what happened." Zoe struggled to get the words out, they felt like molasses in her mouth. A sob broke out as the girl from the dance floor turned to her group of friends sobbing "It's all my fault!"

"Sarah, take these ladies downstairs. Get them a cab home, " David said to one of the employees standing at the ready behind him. He added in a hushed tone, "and get them some coffee to sober them up."

"We were trying to walk off the dance floor and from the looks of things, one of the girls jumped up and landed right on your ankle, knocking you down. You hit your head pretty hard." Matt spoke calmly, never loosing eye contact with Zoe as he spoke. As if he believed he could reassure her every thing would be ok as long as their eyes were locked.

Her head was pounding and everything ached. She had never felt pain like this before. She tried to lift herself up but Matt put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't move, okay?"

Things were starting to clear up for Zoe, she was gaining focus again and starting to understand what had happened, but most of all the pain was catching up with her. She turned to Matt, "I'll call Abby, she can drive me home."

Matt nodded and started to hand Zoe her clutch.

"No, that is not going to happen. You hit your head pretty hard Zoe. You are going to the hospital." David stood as he spoke, then turned to give instructions to one of the employees near him.

It happened in an instant. She went from the couch to his arms in a blink of an eye. Matt looked as shocked as Zoe felt. She was in his arms, for the second time that night David had his arms wrapped around her body.

"David, I 'll get her to the hospital." Matt attempted to argue. "You don't need to do this. I'll take care of it."

"While I appreciate the offer Matt, you've had a few too many to drink. I'll have Sarah call you a cab. Just call her friends and tell them I will be taking her to St. Mary's." And just like the Zoe watched elevator doors close and Matt was gone. She was in an elevator in David's arms and while she wished she could take in the moment, the feel of his arms around her, the sound of his breath and his heartbeat, the smell of his cologne, she could barely keep her eyes open as the pain overwhelmed her yet again.

"Shit, Zoe. Come on. Stay awake. Just a little bit longer. Please." She wasn't sure if it was the pain from her head of the pain in his voice that finally pulled her back into the darkness.

Chapter 8

It had taken Zoe all of three minutes to put herself back together in the ladies room. That left twelve long minutes of standing alone in silence. Twelve minutes to dwell on all the reasons she should have walked away. Zoe knew she shouldn't be with David; he was a client who would be moving into her building this weekend. She knew all the reasons it was wrong from the way he treated her like an object to the way she submitted to her desire without thinking of consequence. But being with him made her feel alive in a way she had never felt before. Logically she knew what she was doing was wrong, but the pleasure of being with him overwhelmed her. It made all logic disappear. It made Zoe become someone else. It made her become someone she never thought she could be.

After the longest fifteen minutes of her life, she made her way down the stairs again to find the music was louder, the crowd was bigger, and her date was starting in on yet another drink. As she walked up to their table, Matt put his arm around her waist as if he had done it a thousand times before, and pulled her close.

"I thought you'd never make it back." He said into her ear as he handed her a drink. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he squeezed her close. "Do you want to dance?" Zoe tossed back the sweet vodka drink he had handed her and nodded her head meeting his eyes. His eyes were warm and inviting, but that could have been from how much he had to drink. She let him take her hand and guide her out to the dance floor near his friends. There was a DJ now and the music had grown loud and rhythmic. The dance floor was crowded and Matt seemed to use that to his advantage as he faced Zoe, placing his hands on her hips and pulling her close to him as they danced.

Zoe was not the type of girl you would find in a club, she was usually out at gallery openings, concerts, or home reading on the weekends. Clubs usually made her anxious and she was not the biggest fan of large crowds but with all that had happened in the past two days, all the things she had done that were so far from the norm for her, she found herself giving in to the rhythm. Matt had pulled her close but not too close, his hands rested firmly on her hips and only ever moved to her lower back when he did dare to move them. She found the warmth of his eyes comforting, and while his smile seemed permanent it was sincere.

This is normal. She thought. This is what normal people do. Not David. David is anything but normal. 

She had no idea how long they had been dancing, but her toes began to ache in her heels as Matt leaned in close, "Care for another drink?" He shouted over the music in her ear. She met his smile with her own and nodded. He grabbed her hand to lead her off the crowded dance floor and as she looked up ahead, past the seemingly never ending sea of people, she saw David.

Stone faced, with eyes like daggers pointed straight at her. He was standing at a table along the edge of the dance floor. It was as if he wanted to make sure she knew. He wanted to make sure she knew that he saw her. She felt all her breath leave her. Her smile disappeared and just when she thought she would never be able to tear her eyes away a hard heavy jolt of pain hit her ankle, her grip was torn from Matt's hand, and suddenly all she could see were high heels and polished shoes and she felt a heavy blow as her head hit the floor and everything went dark.

Chapter 7

The drive to V with Matt had been uneventful. He had been a gentleman from the start, complimenting her, opening the car door for her, and generally doing all the expected first date rituals but Zoe was relieved when they pulled up to the red carpet entrance of V and the Valet opened the door as local reporters snapped blinding photos. Zoe found Matt generally likable but nothing seemed to draw her to him. As he came around the car to meet her, he slid his hand onto the small of her back and guided her up the red carpet walkway to the entrance.

The outside of V looked like a gray cube. Made of concrete, and with no windows on the front, a large black V stood out from the top corner the building. The V was backlit with white neon light creating a glow around the edges. The two story building looked simple, elegant, and understated. Two tall models with long blonde hair in tight black shift dresses stood at either side of the door with trays of drinks in their hands. Their red lips said "Welcome to V" in unison. Matt and Zoe both took drinks and walked into V to discover a large dark, gorgeous room with everything in black and gray. Black chandeliers of all different sizes hung from the ceiling in the center of the room, a bar ran along the East and West walls with a warm glowing light coming from under the black bar top and behind the bottles on the wall behind. The second story was a balcony that ran along all sides of the square building with cozy couches surrounding small tables, perfect for intimate conversation. The center of the downstairs was a large dance floor with tall tables around the edges, the place was crowded but not yet full. 

Matt was finished with his drink before they had made it to a table. He guided her to a table where he quickly introduced her to a group of lawyers he worked with, whose names she would never remember. They all had dates that looked like models and immediately Zoe felt out of place. He grabbed another round of drinks as their conversations continued. 

"So where did you meet Matt?" One of the blonde dates eventually asked Zoe. 

"We actually met last night, a mutual friend introduced us." Zoe felt even more out of place as everyone looked behind her instead of at her as she answered the question. She could feel the pink rising in her checks as the realization that she did not belong here set in. 

"Hello, Gentlemen." Zoe froze at the sound of his voice. She had heard him say so few words and yet it was unmistakably him. Matt put his hand on the small of her back and turned her body so she was facing David. 

"Hello David, thank you again so much for the invitations. The place looks amazing. Congratulations on the opening." Matt beamed, reaching out to shake David's hand. David cooly accepted, never breaking his face of stone, showing no emotion. 

"Thank you, and how could I not invite the legal team that got me this place?" His eyes scanned the men but his expression stayed, "I'm sorry I can't stay and chat. Please drink up and enjoy yourselves." His eyes met Zoe's for a moment, to her it felt like an eternity. She could feel her heart beat quicken as her desire for him slowly crept up from deep within her. David walked away into the crowd. 

With her head spinning, Zoe excused herself to the ladies room. As she walked up to the main one downstairs she saw an endless line and her panic increased. A tall model with a tray of drinks must have seen the state Zoe was in as she mouthed the word 'upstairs.' Zoe was grateful for the tip as she walked right in to the restroom that was hidden down a dark hallway in the corner of the upstairs balcony. It was quiet and empty as she placed her clutch on the counter and looked in the mirror. 

She wore her hair in big loose curls that rested just on her breast. He long black designer dress was borrowed from Kelli and while it hugged her curves perfectly, showing how her figure formed a perfect 8, she wished she had pinned the revealing slit up the side that went almost to the top of her thigh. She took a deep breath and sighed, there was no way she would see him again, she thought. He was the owner and it was opening night, his night would be handshake after handshake as he went around and followed the formalities of thanking everyone for coming out. Having caught her breath, she reapplied her dark red lipstick and headed down the long dark hallway to the railing of the balcony taking in the whole bar below. 

The balcony was empty and still. From there she could see the bar below was packed and more people were coming in the door. The music was low enough you could talk but not so low that it was forgotten, it was a mix of slow sultry rock songs and blues. She could see Matt grabbing another drink as he laughed with his friends from the firm. She did not notice David was next to her until he spoke. 

"They weren't supposed to let anyone up here tonight." She turned to face him, he somehow seemed even taller today as he looked down into her eyes. He was standing about a foot away from her and it gave her enough space to take him all in. His tuxedo made his frame look strong and even in formal attire his dark curly hair was just the right amount of messy. 

"I'm sorry, one of the girls-" Zoe began to explain.

"It's ok." He cut her off and took a step closer. Zoe could feel it again. She could feel the pull of him. Her body became tense as she tried to fight off the desire she had for him but she could feel the ache deep inside her rising up faster than she could control. 

He was inches away now and she watched as his eyes looked over every inch of her. She watched his face as he started at her black high heels, followed her leg up to the top of her thigh where the slit of the skirt began, and scanned her small waist up to the rise of her chest, along the soft skin of her neck, and finally he met her eyes again. His face was still stone but she could see his chest rise and fall faster as his eyes made their way to hers. She thought she could see desire in his eyes. 

He stepped closer. She could feel his breath on her face now and she had to lean her head back to look up into his eyes. He gently moved his hand to the small of her back, his touch was soft but powerful and it made her breath hitch. He used his hand to guide her away from the balcony railing and walked by her side as he led her to the dark hallway in the corner. 

She was aching for him. Every inch of her burning with desire. They were halfway down the hallway when he moved his hand away from her back. She stepped back from him, pressing her back against the wall. He moved towards her, almost wrapping his body around her but he still left the slightest bit of room between them. 

He leaned one hand above her against the wall, his feet were just enough apart that he had one on either side of her. With his free hand he took his forefinger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze. Her breath was racing now, she could not breath fast enough. Their eyes were locked as he lightly tipped her head back, she could feel herself becoming wet. Her body ached for his touch so much that she had to close her eyes as he moved his lips down towards her face. 

He did not kiss her. Instead his lips hovered just above her ear, she could feel the moisture from his warm breath on her ear lobe.

"Why did you run this morning?" He whispered softly. He nuzzled his nose against her neck and chills ran up her whole body. She had to stop herself from moaning with pleasure. Just being this close to him, just his touch set her on fire. 

"It's not right." It was a struggle to get the words out. He moved his head back and looked into her eyes. He searched them and she wondered what he was searching for. His face was still unreadable but his eyes were starting to let down their walls. 

He inhaled deeply, and set his jaw, mulling over what he would say next. 

"My understanding is that you just met Matt Allen. Am I wrong?" He asked cooly, and once again he was a statute standing over her, not a flinch betraying him. 

"No, you're right. I just met him. He's not. We're Not. It's not because of him or anyone else." Her thoughts were jumbled with him there. All she could think about was how it had felt to be with him, how he had made every muscle in her body radiate with pleasure. 

"Then what?" He waited. She could not find the words to explain it to him. The thousands of reasons she had listed last night and again this morning seemed meaningless when he was standing right here. Standing over her, just inches away, so close she could feel his warmth, she could feel his pull. 

And all the reasons and excuses were gone as she tilted her head back and brought her lips to his. As she leaned forward to kiss him, his right arm left the wall and wrapped around her waist as his left hand gently reached for the base of her neck, his fingers in her hair. The taste of his lips drove her wild. His kiss was strong, powerful but his lips were soft. His tongue played in her mouth with hers as he pulled her closer, leaving no space between them. Her hips rested just below his and she could feel him through his tuxedo. She pulled away from his kiss and her head fell back as she moaned with pleasure feeling how much he wanted her. 

He took the opportunity to kiss her exposed neck lightly from the top all the way down to her chest. He held her as she melted into him. He kissed her along the edge of her dress, right were the hem of the fabric pressed against the top of her breasts. He took his time slowly kissing her from right to left as she struggled to catch her breath. As he came up from the last kiss he used the hand at the base of her neck to bring her gaze forward to meet his. 

When their eyes met she could see his breath had quickened. She moved the arms she had wrapped around him to his coat button and gently unbuttoned it without letting her eyes leave his. She walked her fingers down to his belt and unlatched it slowly, softly. Quickly moving her hands to the button of his pants, she smoothly unbuttoned and unzipped them. She did all this without ever looking away from his eyes. They were alight with something she had not seen in them before. 

He did not move a single muscle as she reached for him. He closed his eyes as her long soft fingers gently brought him out. Thick and hard, she could feel his desire pulsing in her hand. He reached into his inside coat pocket and unwrapped a condom. As she placed the condom on him, he took a deep breath and moved his hands to her hips, gently he pulled her dress up and her lace thong down. 

She pressed herself against the wall, bracing herself for him. He lifted her just slightly and placed his right arm against the wall above her head and then he entered her. Slowly, purposefully he entered her. She gasped with pleasure and titled her head back. He pulled back painfully slow and then began the slow, steady thrusts deep inside her. She put her arms around his neck, bracing herself as the pleasure became to intense to stand. He slowly picked up speed and she could feel his thrusts from her head to her toes. The pleasure resonated through her body as she lost herself to him. As he picked up speed she lost her breath, every inch of her was on fire with pleasure, her mouth hung open as she tried not to scream with ecstasy. 

Just when she could not take any more of him, he moved his left arm under her, cradling her lower back and his right arm moved from the wall to behind her shoulders as he lifted her off the ground. He pounded into her quickly while holding her in the air. While holding her in his strong arms. She buried her head in his neck and she could her his quick breathing. She couldn't hold back the moans any longer as she started to reach her climax. She could feel him so deep inside her, he was pushing the air out of her, she could not breath. 

A blinding white light took over her vision as she came. Her head tilted back and he held her close as the pleasure washed over her like waves and her body squirmed in his arms. She heard his breath quicken and then he gasped as she felt him fill her with his pleasure. He leaned forward, pining her against the wall and pushing himself further into her. Once his breath slowed, he lowered her down softly and stepped away from her. 

"Wait fifteen minutes before you come downstairs." He said and then he turned and walked down the hall to the men's restroom. She stared at the wall in front of her and the list she had made herself the night before, the list of reasons why she should never have been with him in the first place, the list she had forgotten just minutes ago, came flooding back to her.

Chapter 4

"Holy Shit, Zoe." Abby practically screamed it as Zoe walked into Rodrigo's."I mean, holy fucking shit! You look like you walked off the cover of Cosmo. Did anyone know Zoe could look this fucking hot?"

Zoe walked up to their usual table on the outdoor patio at Rodrigo's to find Abby, Lexie, and Kelli already into their second pitcher of margarita's. Zoe had been expecting some kind of reaction from the girls on her new work attire but after the day she had she was hoping for something a little more low key.

"Boss-lady was right about that outfit, there isn't a guy in this city who wouldn't rent an apartment from you now. Is that why you were late? Were you making out with a client in the penthouse or something?"

The girls broke into fits of laughter at Lexie's comment. Zoe laughed too, hoping that she wasn't blushing as much as she thought she was. They were right to laugh, Zoe thought. The idea of Zoe hooking up with a random client was far-fetched. Or at least it was until about an hour ago. The image of him flashed through her mind. She could almost taste his salty skin and his memory made her ache in a way she had not felt before.

But that wasn't Zoe. Zoe was all professional at work. She had risen to Assistant Manager of the companies flagship property because of her professionalism. When Cheryl told her she needed to change her attire to fit the upscale clientele it was her professionalism that forced her to put aside her personal taste and opinions and put on the short black pencil skirt that hugged her shape and showed off her hour glass figure. It was her professionalism that told her to suck it up when her feet ached in three inch stiletto heels and it was her professionalism that put $500 worth of new low cut silk blouses and push-up bras on her credit card.

"Ha Ha Ha - you are hilarious." Zoe said with playful sarcasm, "Now hand me that glass and the pitcher, I need a drink." Kelli obliged and soon Zoe was sipping the cool refreshing margarita and listening to the girls talk about their jobs and the usual workplace drama. Zoe felt comfortable here and she lived for feeling comfortable. She was never the center of attention and that was how she preferred it. She liked it best when her life was comfortable, predictable, and ordinary.

Zoe had known Kelli, Abby, and Lexi since college. They had taken all their freshmen classes together and just clicked. They had taken turns being roommates, even sharing a house together at one point, and they had seen each other through college and the treacherous reality of adulthood that followed. They met every Thursday at Rodrigo's for Happy Hour margaritas and tacos. And every Thursday, conversation would inevitable fall to their love lives.

"Tristan is proposing this weekend." Kelli squealed with delight.

"Are you sure?" Lexie exclaimed, bright eyed.

"Very sure. He booked us rooms at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas and sent me shopping with his credit card yesterday for a new outfit. This is the weekend." Kelli would never openly admit it but her dream was to become a pampered housewife and Tristan was her Prince Charming with a trust fund. She was tall, blonde, and addicted to Spin classes and tall, muscular, beach blonde, Tristan had inherited a fortune giving him all the money to make all her dreams come true. Zoe loved Kelli but this was the part of her she would never understand. Zoe did not believe in fairytale romance and certainly did not need a man to provide for her.

"Matt!! I am so glad you made it!" Abby jumped out of her seat and threw her arms around a tall blonde in black slacks, a crisp white button up, and black tie. "Ladies, I would like to you meet Matt. He is Junior Partner at the firm. Matt this is Kelli, Lexie, and Zoe." The girls all smiled and said hello as they were named off. "Zoe is the one I was telling you about." Abby said as she pushed Matt closer to Zoe.

Cornered, that is exactly how Zoe felt. She hated when the girls did this. They had serious committed boyfriends and it was not that Zoe was single because of a lack of trying. She had profiles on three different dating websites and regularly went out on first dates. But that was just the problem. She regularly went out on first dates because there never seemed to be the need for a second. The girls were constantly trying to set her up and lately Zoe had been taking them up less and less on their offers. So now they resorted to tricks like this.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Abby has told me so much about you." Matt said as he moved in closer. She couldn't blame Abby for trying, Matt was handsome. He was just over six feet tall and clearly hit the gym daily, his shirt could barely contain his muscular build underneath. "Should I grab us all another pitcher?"

And in unison the three girls Zoe had hoped to spend the night laughing and chatting with were suddenly listing off reasons they had to leave Happy Hour early that night. The chorus of good byes would have only been more obvious if they had actually rehearsed it ahead of time.

Abby's excuse came last, "I'm so sorry but Zack is working late and I have to go home and walk Jagger. Have a great night you two." Just like that, the three girls walked out the door of Rodrigo's and left Zoe and Matt alone. Without hesitating, Matt pulled a chair across from Zoe and called over the waitress to order another pitcher and a plate of tacos. As she walked away with his order he turned and smiled at Zoe, "Might as well make the most of it, right?"

His eyes scanned Zoe from head to toe and she could tell by the ways his eyes lit up that he was pleased with what he saw. The pitcher arrived and after he poured them both a round he leaned in closer.

"Abby did not mention that you were a model." Do not roll your eyes, was all Zoe could think. He was so stereotypically good looking with his blonde hair, tan skin, perfect smile, and clearly chiseled body that he probably never had to perfect the art of the pick up line.

"Thank you, but I'm not. I work in property management." Zoe took another sip of her Margarita and looked out across the patio. The girls always liked it here because you could see all the way down Main Street, you could see the entrance to every major bar, club, and restaurant in town.

"Cool." He said after guzzling down an entire margarita. He poured himself another. "Yeah, Abby mentioned you work at one of the fancy high-rise apartments in Newport. I've heard the views there are sweet. I've been thinking about renting there." As Matt took over the conversation, Zoe watched three black SUV's pull up to the front of a new bar that was opening later that week. She watched as the men in suits all got out and shook hands, the universal greeting of businessmen. "Maybe you could give me a tour?"

The weight of his hand on her thigh got her attention and she turned to meet his stare. He was close, too close for someone she had just met. She could smell the salt of the margarita on his breath. She looked down at his hand and glared back up at him. "What do you think?" He removed his hand and grabbed his drink, finishing off his second margarita and pouring a third.

"What do I think of what?" Zoe said bluntly.

"Giving me a tour of the apartments." Matt said, oblivious to her irritation.

"Oh, yeah, of course." Zoe took another drink of her margarita and looked back out across the patio.

"I've heard that place is going to be the next big thing." Matt said using his drink to indicate the bar with the black SUV's out front. He was right, all anyone at work was talking about was V the new bar that would host the top mixologists from all around the world. She looked at the entrance and almost spit out her drink as she saw him. Standing in the light of the neon sign with his cell phone in his hand was David Moore. But he wasn't staring at the phone he was holding. He was staring straight at her. David Moore, the client from the penthouse, the man she had inside her just over an hour ago was across the street staring straight at her. All at once her skin felt hot and she felt an ache rise from deep within her. How could she long for someone she didn't know?

"So, do you want to?" She was so consumed by the man across the street that she hadn't noticed Matt's hand on her thigh or how he leaned in so close he was practically whispering into her ear. She looked at Matt and looked back at David across the street, his eyes were still locked on her. He still stood frozen.

"Ok." She nodded, if only to be able to move away from Matt. "Sure." Zoe said, almost breathless. She met Matt's smile.

"Cool. I'll pick you up around 6? The invitation says black tie, will that be enough time for you to get ready?" Matt was smiling from ear to ear as he took another drink of his margarita. Shit, thought Zoe as she realized that she had just agreed to attend the Opening Gala of V with Matt, the almost overly hunky lawyer with zero romantic potential.

"That'll be perfect." She lied through her smile and took another drink. When she looked back across the street David was gone.