Chapter Four

Aspen sat at the bar, sipping wine with her sister and two girlfriends. The Sunfish Raw Grill was laid back, with a casual bar and vibe that catered to a relaxed crowd. Aspen thought a girls' night would be a perfect opportunity to get the lay of the land, meet some people, and make new acquaintances. She rarely had a chance to hang with her sister's inner crowd. Her visits usually focused on one-on-one time that was always cut short by work or other responsibilities. This time, she could really immerse herself in Sierra's world and hopefully bring new material to the page and her cranky muse.

Brooklyn worked as the general manager at Sierra's store. She was warm and had a bubbly personality that Aspen immediately felt comfortable with. She was married with kids, but her silvery blond hair and big, blue eyes drew looks from all the men in the bar. Aspen loved that she'd married her high school sweetheart and spoke of him in glowing tones. It gave her hope.

Inez was the opposite. She had wicked curves with a booty that made men drool, coal-black hair braided to her waist, sooty, dark eyes, and an edgy manner. With her heavy makeup, tats, and piercings, Aspen had been a bit wary. After a glass of wine and some light chatter, she wanted to be Inez's bestie. The woman had a cutting sense of humor that almost made Aspen spit out her drink, and she was just plain fun.

"I can't believe we finally get to hang out," Brooklyn gushed. "I'm kind of fangirling. I love your books so much."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it."

"I haven't read them," Inez offered. "But I only read horror. No offense. "

Aspen grinned. "None taken. I'm a horror fan, too. I mean, hello, Paul Tremblay and Stephen Graham Jones."

"Right? Intellectual yet fresh."

They fell into a dialogue, comparing their favorites until Sierra groaned. "Enough with the books. Can we talk about something worthwhile, please?"

"Like the latest Bachelor episode, oh, woke one?" Aspen teased.

Sierra actually blushed. "I only watch it when nothing else is on," she muttered. The girls laughed and called her out on it the way only girlfriends could. Gently. "Fine, I f—ng love it, okay? Along with Love is Blind and Married at First Sight . Pull my feminist card and call it a day."

"I'll toast to that," Inez declared. They clinked glasses. "So, if you're staying for a while, do we need to hook you up with some hot men?"

"Yes," she said in unison with her sister.

Brooklyn let out a delighted squeal. "I love playing matchmaker! I'll ask Jorell if he has any single guys you can try out. Sierra has been one big disappointment, so I need another crack at it."

Sierra shrugged. "They were super nice, just not my type. Maybe Aspen will have better luck."

"That's because you 're looking for Mr. Perfect, and he doesn't exist," Inez said without sting.

Aspen noted a flare of pain in her sister's eyes and wanted to give her a hug. Sierra had never really gotten over the divorce when she found her dickhead husband cheating on her. Trust was a barrier impossible to cross without making peace with the past. Aspen had mentioned counseling, but Sierra had immediately shut the suggestion down. Another trait Sierra held dear: stubborn pride.

Sierra shrugged again. "If I'm going to take a shot at being vulnerable with someone again, I need to feel some kind of connection. Get it?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Aspen sighed. "If only people could match on paper and not have to deal with mysterious elements such as chemistry. We'd all be better off."

"Yeah, but we'd be bored. Plus, you wouldn't be able to write your books and be a megastar," Brooklyn pointed out.

"True." She kept her writing doubts to herself. No need to burden the group with her book failures and how desperately she needed success. Aspen sipped her wine and did a quick survey of the crowd. Many were in groups like hers: friends out after work, a few guys hanging in flip-flops and bathing suits, a scattering of couples eating oysters and drinking beers. No one compelled her to approach and strike up a conversation. Maybe she'd have to be more creative and not focus on restaurant/bar hangouts, but—

Him.

Her gaze snagged on the lone man at the end of the bar. Perched on the stool, he was doctoring up a raw clam with sauce and lemon, attention once again on the television. Denim stretched across his tight ass. Lean biceps shone with a deep tan and flexed as he reached out to grab a napkin, his simple white T-shirt straining to accommodate. Thick waves of hair gleamed blue-black in the dim light, curling around his neck and ears.

"Uh-oh, I know that look," Sierra said with a laugh. "Who'd you find?"

Before Aspen could speak, everyone turned to look at once. Her sister gasped. "No! I told you about him, dammit."

Brooklyn's eyes widened. "Oh, wow. I have to agree with Sierra on this one. Brick is well known around here for his…exploits."

Intrigue dug deeper as Aspen stared at the man. His jawline could cut glass. Even from here, a crackle of sensual energy seemed to emanate from his aura, and her female parts tingled.

Inez gave a low whistle. "You know how to pick them, love. At least, you'll be guaranteed the time of your life. It will just be short." She waggled her brows dramatically. "The relationship, not the sex."

Aspen refocused on the group. "Wait. You know him, too?"

Brooklyn and Inez shared a look, then burst into laughter. "Brick's reputation is legendary. Everyone knows someone he's dated and dumped. And what happened with her , of course."

"Who?" Aspen asked.

"Anastasia," Sierra said gravely. "His fiancée."

The women paused as if honoring her name. Aspen leaned in. "Don't stop now. Tell me the whole story."

Brooklyn jumped in. "Brick moved to town after his grandfather passed to run the business. Every female in town was desperate to go out with him, but then Anastasia showed up and began telling everyone they were engaged, but he left New York without her. Just dumped her and said he was moving to OBX to start a new life."

Inez took up the story. "She was heartbroken. Anastasia said she left her job and followed him so they could stay together. But when she arrived, Brick ignored her. Said they were done and refused to see her. It was so hard to watch."

"That's terrible," Aspen said with a gasp .

All three nodded.

Sierra shook her head. "Brick actually started dating other women right in front of her. He tried telling everyone they'd broken up in New York, but no woman chases a man to a different state if they're not together. Anastasia would cry in the bar and beg him to take her back, but he was so cold. Eventually, she left town, and no one heard from her again."

"Why would anyone want to date him after that?"

Inez sighed. "He got even more famous after that. Women chased him constantly, and then the stories began. I had a client in my tattoo shop who wanted Brick's initials within a black rose. Said she needed a daily reminder to never pick men who crush her again."

Aspen stared at them in disbelief. "Okay, I'm all for a good story, but don't you think this is a bit ridiculous? No man holds that kind of power. I mean, yes, he's very hot."

Pity gleamed in her sister's eyes. "You're already tempted, aren't you? You'll be like a lamb in a slaughterhouse."

She shifted in her seat, feeling her ears grow hot. "I'm hardly an inexperienced virgin here. What exactly does he do to these women?"

"He has this magnetic pull. Yes, it's his looks, but also his voice and the way he stares at you like you're the only one who will ever understand him." Brooklyn snapped her fingers. "Oh! Kind of like Christian Grey from Fifty Shades ."

Aspen leaned forward. "Does he do kink?"

Inez shook her head. "Doesn't need it. I heard his missionary position can give multiple orgasms."

A delicious shudder shook her. "Okay, so he's gorgeous, good in bed, and listens. Anything else?"

"He gets you hooked, then disappears."

Aspen blinked. "Stops calling?"

Sierra jumped in. "Stops calling, texting, all of it. Total ghosting. When the poor things reach out, confused and upset, he gives them the speech ."

"What's the speech?"

"That he told them upfront he doesn't do love. That he warned them it was temporary and was afraid things were getting too serious. That it's best if he cuts the cord early rather than hurt them deeper down the line."

Aspen sucked in a breath. "That's awful. Almost…diabolical!"

"Told ya," Sierra said. "He gives the speech to everyone before the very first date. "

"And what woman can resist the speech?" Inez asked. "It's like a gauntlet being thrown down. Everyone wants to be the one to tame him and make him love them."

Aspen pondered the warnings. "I truly doubt any man can make you love him in that short of a time. It's not possible. It's just lust."

Brooklyn shook her head sadly. "Lust doesn't cause women to get tattoos, move away, or lock themselves in their houses, crying for days on end. Lust stings. He gets them to love him. Anastasia should have been a warning, but it only made him a bigger temptation."

Silence fell over the group and, as one, they all turned to stare at Brick.

As if he sensed the weight of their judgment, his head slowly cranked around and he met their gazes.

Warmth settled low in Aspen's gut as those piercing ocean-blue eyes met hers. Pinned to her seat, unable to move, she stared back with a helpless fascination she didn't even try to hide. After a moment, he inclined his head in a polite greeting, then turned away.

The breath whooshed out of her lungs.

"Yep, she's a goner," Inez declared.

"Is he dating anyone now?" Aspen asked.

"No, he's stayed out of the game for about two months. I think he's sticking to tourists and one-night stands now."

"Maybe he ran out of victims," Aspen suggested.

The girls laughed. "God, no. Someone is always trying, and the gossip makes him even more demand-worthy," Inez said.

Brooklyn smirked. "He's the ultimate bad boy."

"Does he go for a specific type?"

Inez grinned. "Yeah. Female. He's an equal opportunity heartbreaker."

"You don't need that stress in your life," Sierra said urgently. "You had one rocky relationship that almost destroyed you. Don't even look his way, babe. Let it go and focus on your book."

Yes, the book was the most important. The only good thing that'd come out of her heartbreak with Ryan was her bestseller. It had almost been worth the annihilation of her emotions. Too bad she couldn't open that portal again, just enough to write a worthy story, then quickly close it. Wouldn't that be perfect?

Her brain suddenly exploded as the thought caused a trail of mini light-bulb explosions.

What if she could ?

Aspen stared at the man across the room. He brought the clamshell to his sensual lips, opened wide, and sucked the meat into his mouth. The muscles in his throat worked as he swallowed, and his tongue licked the leftover moisture from his bottom lip.

This was a man who could force her to feel things she hadn't in years.

This was a man who could shatter, wound, and damage her emotions.

This was a man who could storm into her life and cause complete wreckage.

Dear God, he was perfect.

A slow smile curved her lips.

Brick was the answer to all her problems. She'd get him to date her and break her heart. And then she could finally create the next book of the month.

Aspen hopped off the stool. "I'm going over to say hello," she announced.

Her sister and friends gasped in unison. "What?" Sierra practically shrieked. "We all told you what would happen."

"Exactly."

She headed to the bar.