He turns to me, raising a brow. “I’m sure you are, Lia, but when I take a woman to dinner, I always make sure she arrives back home safely.”

“Oh,” I reply, his answer taking the fight out of me. It makes sense, right? He is just being a gentleman.

“I want you to call into work tomorrow and quit your job. I don’t think you need to bother with notice; it’s not likely you will ever use them for a future job reference.”

I nod my head in agreement, fighting the sleep threatening to claim me when his words finally hit me. What the hell? “Wh—What did you say?” Had I imagined the whole thing?

Without looking at me, he repeats his demand. I shake my head, completely confused. “What are you talking about? Why would I quit my job? Oh, no,” I gasp in horror, “are you trying to get me fired because of tonight? It was just cold medicine!”

His eyes are glittering in the darkness. “Baby, if I wanted to have you fired, I would. I want to fuck you, but not when you’re being paid to be my date.”

Oh, shit. I know I am more than a little intoxicated when my first reaction is being flattered. How can a man like Lucian Quinn want to fuck me? I’m a struggling college student with none of the flash of a woman like Monique. What could he possibly see in me? What is the appropriate response when a man says he wants to fuck you? “Ummm…that’s…thanks. I can’t quit my job; I need the money for school.” I reach over to pat his knee, adding, “You’re so hot, and I’m sure you can find another woman to…fuck.” There, that sounds good, right? I’m proud of my answer. I turned him down but also gave him a compliment. Way to think on your feet, Lia!

He puts his hand over mine, and I smile, thinking he appreciates my honesty. When he uses a firm grip to pull me closer to his side, I start to worry. Please tell me we aren’t on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. Does he resemble someone from America’s Most Wanted? His breath is hot on my neck as he whispers against my ear, “I want you, and I always get what I want.” He trails a finger down the side of my face before running the tip over my mouth. My lips part in surprise and before I think better of it, I touch his finger with the tip of my tongue. He inhales a breath, and I freeze, my eyes locking on his face.

I have no idea how long I’ve been staring at him when the driver clears his throat. I look out the window and recognize my apartment building. Lucian is still holding my hand as I turn to the door the driver is holding open. Lucian pulls me against him again, saying, “It wasn’t a question, Lia. Do it.” With those words, he releases me. I draw a ragged breath and stagger from the car. The driver insists on walking me to the door and waiting until I’m safely inside. Oh, God, he probably heard everything Lucian said to me, how embarrassing. No doubt, he is used to going home alone while his employer stays the night with whomever he is…fucking. Lucian Quinn is clearly a psycho. When the driver asks for my car key, I pull it from my ring and hand it over. I mutter a quick thank-you and dash inside.

Rose and Jake are sitting wrapped around each other on the couch. When I almost miss the chair trying to sit, Jake smirks at me saying, “Whoa, girl, how much did you have to drink tonight?”

I flop back, groaning, “Not as much as you think. It’s the damn Nyquil along with alcohol that did this. I’m lucky I didn’t face-plant in the middle of the restaurant.” I giggle as I imagine Lucian Quinn’s face if that had happened. It would almost have been worth the embarrassment to fall all over his expensive shoes.

“So, other than your public intoxication, how was the evening? Old dude or young?” Rose asks.

I roll my eyes, saying, “Young, hot one, but a little on the weird side. Didn’t you get the picture I sent you of him?”

“Shit! That was him? He was a total freaking…” Looking at Jake who is watching her, she quickly adds, “Um…okay. I mean, he was just okay. I’m glad you made it through the evening with him.”

I smirk, knowing what Rose had been going to say; the man was a stud. “I’m not totally sure since I’m a little out of it, but I believe he might have ordered me to quit my job because he wants to fuck me.” When the words leave my mouth, I slap my hand over my face. “God, I can’t believe I just said that.” I look over to see both Rose and Jake gaping at me.

“He said that to you?” Before I can answer, Rose sighs, “That’s just so hot.”

Jake looks at Rose then back to me. “You two seriously have problems. Lia, if some stranger said that shit to you, then you had better stay the hell away from him.” Turning to his girlfriend, he says, “And you, I think it’s time we went to your room and discussed some things.” Rose snickers as Jake pulls her up from the couch, and they practically run to the bedroom. At the door, Jake stops, turning back toward me. “I’m serious, babe; you stay away from him. That’s whacked that he said that to a stranger.” He shuts the door behind him, and I hear Rose giggle. Ugh, I know I will be hearing too much through the paper-thin walls tonight.

I think about what Jake said and wonder if Lucian Quinn is dangerous. He certainly looked it when he was holding me against him in the car. I wasn’t scared, though, not really. Thinking of him fucking me was exciting. I can feel the dampness of my panties and know it has everything to do with him.

Jake has been protective of me since his friend Jackson broke my heart last year. It was my first and last sexual experience. We had been going out for about a month before I finally caved to pressure and slept with him. What a mistake. It had hurt like Hell and was over before it had even started. Could I only have an orgasm at my own hands? Rose talked about sex with Jake as if it was earth-shaking, but for me, the earth hadn’t moved. I got out of bed afterwards to use the bathroom, and he had gasped, “What the fuck?” When I turned to look at him, he was pointing to my back. “What’s wrong with you? Shit, do you have something contagious?” He frantically threw his clothes on, acting like he had just had sex with someone with the clap.

“It’s just a scar,” I had replied before wrapping my arms around myself. He made me feel self-conscious and dirty. Jake was furious when he heard Jackson telling some of their friends that I ‘was all messed up’ under my clothes. He knew from Rose what my stepfather had done to me and almost physically came to blows with his friend over it. Since then, they barely spoke anymore. Jake was a good person and wouldn’t tolerate anyone mistreating one of his friends. What would it be like to have a man like that to love and be loved by? Rose is damn lucky.