After another week of silence from Corden, marking a complete month since I last saw him, I decided to take the plunge and ask Archer out on a date. A double date to make it less stressful. However, Archer brought Lincoln Nash, a complete surprise to me that they even knew each other. It turns out they were best friends in college, and it might not have been awkward had I not brought Sienna as my plus one. The two business gurus had a stand-off outside the restaurant before we could enjoy ourselves.

Luckily, our night seemed to take a turn in the right direction after our friends run-in. We ate good food and had decent conversation, and when the meal was coming to a close, I had a few too many glasses of wine. Again. Unfortunately, over-indulging is becoming a habit of mine as of late

Archer held the door for me, pulled out my chair, and asked multiple times if I was enjoying myself. He was the epitome of a perfect gentleman. He's a nice, good-hearted person. He's a man any woman would be lucky enough to score, so maybe that's why I'm trying to force a connection that doesn't seem to be there. I mean, he's pleasant enough to talk to, but there isn't a spark. I don't feel like my skin tingles beneath his gaze, and I certainly don't take note of every section of skin his fingers brush against. So far, that's only happened to me with one person.

A person I swore never to think of again.

I had requested to go dancing after our meal, and Sienna and Lincoln joined us. At the club, I drank four more glasses of wine, and I vaguely remember whispering to Archer that I wanted to go home. There was a glint in his eye that led me to believe he thought I meant go home as in have sex, but before I could explain, he disappeared in the crowd to tell Lincoln we would be leaving.

Now I'm leaning against the brick wall of the club, welcoming a rare breeze in the dead of July as I wait for Archer to come outside so I can let him down. Maybe if I didn't have to work, I'd take him up on his offer and take him home, but this is still new between us, and I'm not ready to take it to the next level.

Christ. I'm beginning to think I'm becoming like Riley who believes in love-at-first-sight bullshit and dreams of getting married after knowing someone for less than a day. I've never had a problem with fucking someone. Sex is sex. There hasn't been an emotional connection tied to it for me, but for whatever reason, I'm hesitant to take that next step with Archer.

"There you are." Archer joins me outside, his cheeks red and blotchy from the heat of the club. "So, are you wanting to go to your place, or mine?"

"I..." Letting out a deep sigh, I swallow the lump in my throat and say, "I said I wanted to go home as in alone. It has nothing to do with you, and I've had a great time tonight, but we haven't made things official yet, you know? I'm not ready for sex."

Archer's face pales before his eyes grow wide. "Ah, fuck. Of course, you're not ready. I shouldn't have assumed..." He runs a hand through his auburn hair. "I'm sorry, Carmen. Truly. I didn't mean to make you feel pressured into taking things further than you're ready for. We're not even dating yet, so..."

I reach out to clasp his arm, my heart fracturing into tiny pieces at how nervous he is. This date is important to him, and although that spark isn't there yet, it doesn't mean it won't ever be. I still want to try to get there, but how can we if I'll be living a double life with him? He doesn't know I'm turning him down because I'm going to work as an exotic dancer, and not being truthful with him doesn't feel right. I'm leading him on.

"You have nothing to apologize for," I say. "It's my fault for not being more specific. I'll call you tomorrow though, okay?"

He gives me a tight-lipped smile in return that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah. Looking forward to it."

***

Ten minutes into my shift on stage, I spot him in a booth near the left of the room, right in plain sight.

It's been four weeks since Corden visited The Harbor. An entire month since I've seen him, but tonight he's here, and he's with company. A man in a pristine suit like his own sits opposite of him with a briefcase tucked against his side. Corden's hands are folded loosely on the table in front of them, and it doesn't pass me by that his back is facing me.

The joke's on him. He can attempt to hide all he wants, but after searching for him in this club for four weekends in a row, I'd recognize him anywhere.

Despite my heart hammering against my ribcage, I twirl around the pole with grace, elongating my body, and the business associate Corden is meeting with flicks his attention over me. I'm distracting him from their conversation, but Corden doesn't seem to give a shit. His head remains swiveled away from me, and anger ignites in me at the thought.

How dare he ignore me as if I'm nothing? Surely he saw me on the stage because that booth wasn't filled when I started my set. Granted, he said he would keep his distance from me, but he also promised he wouldn't come here again to watch me dance.

Well, technically he isn't watching me dance. The tricky bastard strikes again.

I don't give a fuck who he is meeting with. He can find another meetup spot until I stop seeing his eyes in every goddamn dream of mine.

The associate's appreciation lingers, along with multiple other businessmen in the audience. I spot a booth diagonal from the one Corden is in with two men ogling me from head to toe, and I know it's wrong, I know it's immature, but I want to initiate a reaction from Corden. I need him to acknowledge my presence so I don't feel this constant state of numbness anymore.

If he wants to pretend as if nothing transpired between us, he's in for a rude awakening.

As soon as my set ends, I gather up the cash and stuff it into my bra before I saunter over to the booth diagonal from Corden. I'm right in his line of vision, and I know I look ravishing tonight. I'm in a baby pink bikini set—ironically Corden's favorite color on me—and the thong rides so far up my ass it leaves little to the imagination. My hair is freshly braided, falling to the end of my spine, and my makeup is heavier than normal. I didn't know he'd be coming tonight, but I'm more than thankful I've been doing myself up more than usual in case he decided to show up.

I don't glance over my shoulder at Corden. Not once when I bend all the way over to whisper sweet nothings into one of the men's ears. The man to the right of me dares to put a meaty hand on the band of my thong, but I allow him to keep it there, wondering just how far I can push the villain in the other booth.

"You're fucking gorgeous," he slurs. "How much do you charge for the Red Room?"

I allow myself just a second to spare a glance over my shoulder at Corden, infuriated when he's still enamored with his conversation with the businessman. He doesn't even notice I'm here, and I...fuck, I've never felt so unseen or worthless. When the hell have I ever felt this way? Men's opinions mean nothing, but I thought I had meant something to Corden, and a strange part of me valued what he saw in me.

My chest presses in on itself, and my breathing becomes shallow. I'm so pissed, so livid that I do the only thing I can think of as a last-ditch effort to capture his attention.

I smile flirtatiously at the man in his mid-forties. "For you, I'll do it for a thousand."

The man arches his brow. "Expensive, are we?"

I almost snort at the comment. Little does he know I've been consistently getting ten grand to give private dances to Corden.

"But worth it," I reassure him.

The man rises from the booth and keeps his hand around my waist, snapping the band of my thong with eager anticipation. "I'll be back," he says to his friend. "Come on, baby. Show me what you've got."

As we turn to walk towards the Red Room, I don't glance in Corden's direction. I won't spare him a second of recognition as we pass by him, even though my spine is breaking into a sweat and nausea rolls in my stomach. I didn't think I'd get this far to actually go into the Red Room. I thought Corden cared for me enough to put a stop to it, but I was poorly mistaken. Now I'll have to do something to this man or risk losing my job. You don't agree to go into the Red Room only to back out. It doesn't work like that here.

Soft, sensual music fills the room when the door clicks shut behind us. I can hear my heartbeat thumping in my ears when the man gets straight to it and strips himself of his belt, flinging it to the floor.

Oh my god.

I'm going to do this, aren't I?

The man unzips his zipper and plops down on the couch. I can tell he's had too much to drink from his hooded expression and the way his eyes are glazed over, but I don't comment on it. We're not supposed to comment on those things, even if it makes them more handsy. "Let's explore that mouth of yours first," he says, reaching into his pants.

I inch a step closer, swallowing down the bile climbing into my throat. If I don't do this, I'll lose the best-paying job I have. Working here tops owning the floral shop by a long shot, and I can't risk giving this up.

I'm the one who got myself into this situation, so I'll deal with it just as I do everything else. It won't be the first or last time I sucked someone off.

But right before I'm about to drop to my knees, the door to the Red Room bursts open, and an awful, tense silence follows.

Corden's presence swallows up all of the air in the room as he strides across the space like a lethal, primed killer. His expression is vacant. Lifeless. But I can feel the simmering rage burning beneath his skin, dying to be released when he stops in front of the man. His eyes drop to where his hand is still in his pants, and I see his fists clench at his sides. "Get out."

Two simple words, but Corden's tone leaves no room for discussion. He speaks to him as if he's gum stuck beneath his shoe, and I'm unsure if the man is aware of who Corden truly is, but judging by the way his face pales and how quickly he scurries to pull up his pants and flee the room, I'm going to assume that's a yes.

When we're alone, the sensual music is the only thing filling the silence between us. I can't breathe being this close to him. His citrusy scent is like a damn catnip to me, lulling me closer and urging me to claim him in all the ways I've been fantasizing about.

"I don't appreciate being lied to, Hadari." His words are calm and calculated, but that almost frightens me more. The monster inside isn't far off from appearing if the trembling of his body gives any indication.

"What did I lie to you about?"

"I believe you told me I was the first one you brought into the Red Room."

"And I was speaking the truth."

"So why the fuck—" He clears his throat, trying to maintain the last semblance of control he seems to be holding onto. "Why did you come in here with him?"

"Because you acted as if I wasn't in the fucking room, Corden." I cringe at how needy I sound and attempt to rephrase. "You don't just... You don't get to share that experience with me and then drop me like I'm nothing. I know we said to keep our distance from each other, but you were in the same room as me for fucks sake. The least you could have done was acknowledge my presence. I didn't realize I was that invisible to you."

He scoffs. "You think you're invisible?" When I don't respond, he closes the distance between us until he's directly in front of me. My mouth goes dry when he tilts my chin up to look him in the eyes, and god, I didn't realize how much I missed looking at them until now. "You don't think I watched every second of your performances?" His hand skates down my waist, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

"I...I only had one performance tonight."

He clicks his tongue. "Did you? I believe you put on another one immediately after. One where you bent over and exposed that pretty fucking pussy for me in this delectable thong. Am I right or wrong?"

Pressure gathers between my legs until said pussy has a fucking heartbeat of its own. I arch my back and groan when my nipples brush against his suit. It allows him the perfect access to that spot right beneath my ear—a spot he really seems to enjoy.

"You wanted me to see it, didn't you?" His nose scrapes against the column of my neck. "You wanted me to picture moving that thong to the side and eating your pussy until you came all over my tongue."

My body is electrified like a livewire from his dirty words. I'm speechless as I sink my nails into the tops of his shoulders and cling on for dear life, never wanting to let go. I feel alive when he's near me.

"Well, your plan worked," he mutters against my neck. "And if I had to place a bet, I'd assume your cunt is soaked for me right now, isn't it?" His hand drifts lower, snapping the band of the thong harder than the man a few minutes ago. This time, it elicits a gasp of pleasure from me. I'm a writhing, panting mess when he glances down and huffs a laugh. "You don't have to answer that question, darling, because I can see your arousal."

Sure enough, when I clench my thighs together, I can feel the wetness on the fabric, but I have no shame in it. I've wanted Corden since I laid eyes on him, and this time is no different.

"I thought..." I shake my head, attempting to get rid of my lust-filled haze. "I thought you were staying away from me?"

Corden's grip tightens on my waist. "I was. However, a business meeting required my presence here. My partner wouldn't go anywhere else to sign the contract."

"And I'm assuming you can't tell me what, exactly, that contract was for?"

His eyes soften just a fraction. "You know I can't do that."

Right. Because even though there's a liveable, breathable connection between us, this can't thrive in the real world. In the Red Room, we're two lost souls who seem to find solace in each other, but the minute we step outside of here, we're two separate entities living completely different lives.

Lust is the motherfucking distraction of all distractions.

"Forget I asked. It doesn't matter anyway." Maybe it's because I'm feeling petty, but I add, "I'm seeing someone."

Corden arches a brow. "Oh?"

"I mean, it's not official or anything yet, but it will be soon."

That vacant, cold expression melts away and seems to be replaced by one of annoyance. "Does he treat you well at least?"

"Yes. He doesn't treat me as if I'm invisible if that's what you're asking."

Corden's nostrils flare, that monster inside of him just barely remaining tamed. I shouldn't want to provoke him, but I can't deny that I'm curious to see what lurks beneath his skin. The true Corden that others seem to fear. "You aren't fucking invisible to me, Hadari. You could never be invisible."

"Could have fooled me, but like I said, it doesn't matter. He will give me the reassurance I need. Not make me question whether or not I matter to—"

One second, I'm in his face reprimanding him, and the next, I'm shoved up against the wall with his lips meeting mine in a searing, all-consuming kiss.

I can do nothing but go lax in his arms as he claims my mouth and soul with a sense of possessiveness I've never experienced before. His hand wraps gently around my throat to hold me in place as he shoves a knee to wedge between my thighs. I'm pinned helplessly against the wall, utterly at his mercy, but my lips part on instinct to encourage him to claim me.

Take me.

Mark me.

Fuck me.

His semblance of control has snapped, and his kisses aren't tender or sweet. They're rough, a clashing of teeth and tongue while I grind shamelessly against the thigh wedged between mine. The hold on my throat forces me to look him in the eyes, and the unwavering hunger in those baby blues have me growing weak in the knees.

He nips below my ear, panting breathlessly as he says, "Date whoever you want, I can't stop you, nor would I want to stop you when I can't give you what you need. However, whoever he is..." My eyes roll to the back of my head when he licks my earlobe. "He will never replace me."

I reach up to grab the hand holding me captive, but he smacks it away and pins both of my arms above my head with his free hand instead. He towers over me in this position, staking his dominance, but for once...it's nice to not be in control.

I cry out when he attaches his lips to my neck and sucks hard. The mix of pain and pleasure is almost too much to bear as he sucks deeply. He releases my skin with a pop and takes a step closer so that his lower half is fully pressed against mine, and fucking hell I didn't know foreplay could feel this good. His cock is raging hard while he pins me in place and eyes the mark he created, sending a shiver of awareness down my spine. "It wasn't fair to kiss you when we'll never be able to do this again, but selfishly, I hope you think of me every time he's inside of you. I hope you reminisce about what could have transpired between us when he licks you here." He flicks his tongue over the mark he made, and I moan in utter bliss. "It's just one of your spots that makes you weak, and I would have loved to discover them all, but I..." With a pained sigh, he takes a large step away from me, and the distance between us feels like a goddamn ocean's length apart.

"For your safety, this is...for the best. I hope he makes you happy because you deserve it."

What in the actual fuck? My head is still reeling from our kiss, and I can't even focus when he looks like that. With his cheeks flushed and swollen, plump lips, he's a fucking sex-crazed masterpiece. The top three buttons of his dress shirt are undone, exposing tiny whisps of chest hair, and his bun is in the process of falling out. Did I do that?

For once, his composure slipped, revealing that wild, untamed beast inside, and I want more.

I'm craving fucking more.

Now he wants to strip it away from me again?

"How dare you," I seethe. "How fucking dare you kiss me only to ruin my fucking life. You knew what it'd do to me, yet you still decided to follow through with it knowing you had no intention of continuing things between us."

He swallows thickly, but his eyes never stray from mine. "I'm a selfish bastard. I know."

"Fuck you, Corden. Dabble in your business deals somewhere else from now on. I don't give a fuck how important they are. If I see you in that booth next weekend, or any booth for that matter, I'll return the favor tenfold and fuck someone else right in front of you. Give you a taste of what you'll never experience. How does that sound?"

His jaw clenches then unclenches as he tries to grasp that self-control again. "Got it."

"Good." For good measure, I shove him away from me, ignoring the shattering of my heart at the hurt that appears on his face just as quickly as it vanishes. "I hope you stick to your word this time, because if I ever run into you again? You better be prepared for the consequences."