But I wanted more—as in, more than one—and Morgan was only more than happy to oblige my request. Feeling greedy and cocky on my one night off from business ownership, we left our little sanctuary and headed out to the dance floor. I wasted no time in scoping out the sea of bodies, searching for just the right woman.

I could see Morgan doing the same. Anticipation was evident in her eyes.

Damn, I’d truly outdone myself with her. If I had the time, I might actually keep her around for a bit of fun and extended stress relief.

Hell, I might still. It had been a while since I’d had a reliable fuck buddy.

We were several songs in, the bass thumping through my chest, as I continued my search. There was no lack of gorgeous women in the club—the bouncers made sure of that—but I just wasn’t feeling it. I wanted something specific.

What? I didn’t know. But I’d know the minute I saw it.

The rhythm suddenly changed as the DJ shifted gears. The crowd went wild, recognizing the popular song that had been playing over the radio for weeks. Morgan moved closer to me, and I grabbed her waist, loving the way her body felt against mine. As her hips moved against me and the music beat on, I was drunk.

Drunk on the power I had. Drunk with the pleasure I felt and the pain I constantly carried. It was all the same in the moment.

My eyes shut for a brief moment, and I let my head fall back, the world tilting slightly.

How much had I drank?

The moment my lids lifted and settled on the dance floor, I saw her.

With beautiful brown hair that effortlessly fell down her back in tousled waves, she patiently waited by the bar for the attention of the Broadway-bound bartender, tapping the tip of her toe against the floor in rhythm to the music. Wearing a sexy emerald-green dress that clung to her figure and glittery gold heels, she was flawless.

But none of that entranced me. She was gorgeous, but every single female in here could be described as such. What made her stand out was that she was trying to be invisible in a crowd that was desperate for attention.

Still dancing with Morgan, I watched as the nameless beauty kept her head low, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She appeared nervous or maybe anxious as she balanced on one heel and then shifted to the other, like she was late.

Or bored.

The whole scene had me completely transfixed.

“I think I’m going to go try my luck at the bar,” I announced loudly in Morgan’s ear, hoping to be heard over the music.

“Are you sure you don’t want my help?” she asked, a mischievous grin forming around her lips.