The nickname—the one he whispered against my skin that night as he worshipped me—sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with the crisp air. He gently kisses my neck, making my skin come alive with goosebumps as my knees weaken. My heart races and my breathing turns ragged as memories of that night, of everything he just said, flood me.

I don’t know how I do it, but I shake my head and take a small step back from him to look him in the eyes.

“Just because you know those things doesn’t mean you know me,” I say firmly.

“Maybe not, but I want to.”

“That would be a mistake.” I swallow hard. “It would probably be better for both of us if we just pretend we’ve never met before now.”

With that, I turn and start walking back to my car before the voice in the back of my head screaming at me to stay can win out.

“You can pretend all you want, hummingbird,” he calls after me, his tone light—although I can hear an edge of determination in it. “But I’m not giving up that easily.”

His words make my heart skip, but I don’t answer. I just slip into my car and put the key in the ignition, although I can’t help stealing glances at him as he leans against the building, watching me. He doesn’t look defeated at all. He looks… patient. Like a man who knows exactly what he wants and is willing to wait for it.

The thought sends equal parts thrill and worry racing through me. I start the engine and pull away, desperate to put some extra distance between us before my body spontaneously combusts just from his proximity.

But as I drive back toward my apartment, my body hums with awareness, my nipples tight against the fabric of my bra and my skin still tingling where he touched me. I swear I can still feel his phantom touch on me, as if that night between us never ended.

4. Hannah

Chapter 4

Hannah

Six Months Ago

The masked man is kissing me like I’ve never been kissed before, hungry and desperate, like he’s afraid if he takes his lips away from mine I’ll spontaneously disappear. But I’m not going anywhere.

I lose myself in the kiss a little, my tongue sliding against his, while he takes greedy handfuls of my dress and skin. He’s warm to the touch like an ember, and he smells like cedar and spice, which ignites something in me. The rest of the club seems to fade away as I zero in on the blaze of his lips against mine, and for a second, I forget there’s anyone else in the room.

There’s only him—and I can’t get enough.