Chapter 1

1

The amber glow of the bar enveloped Adrianna as she lost herself in the world of Pride and Prejudice. Turning the page, her fingers grazed the edge of her glass, condensation dripping onto the worn wood of the table. Her life hasn't been easy in these last few months, but her divorce is final and she could move on with her life.

"A fine choice of literature for an evening at the bar."

The velvet voice startled her. Adrianna glanced up to find a man sliding into the seat across from her, crystalline blue eyes glinting with amusement behind horn-rimmed glasses. Her heart stuttered at the sight of his charming smile. Heat flooded Adrianna's cheeks as she fumbled to regain her composure. "What else is a girl to do?"

"I'm Mickey," he said, leaning forward. Sandalwood and spice drifted over her.

Adrianna averted her gaze, pulse racing. It was undeniably wrong, and yet... she yearned for it. Craved him. She drew a steadying breath and met his gaze. "Adrianna."

A flash of triumph lit his eyes. "Adrianna," he purred, her name a caress on his lips. Her chest tightened with longing. "Shall we discuss the book? I'm curious to hear your perspective on Mr. Darcy's character."

Adrianna straightened, grasping at the familiarity of literary debate. It wasn't often a woman met a man that could hold a conversation about literature. This held her interest. "Well, Mickey, you seem to have misinterpreted Darcy's aloofness as a reflection of his selfish nature..."

And so it began. They traded perspectives and theories, Adrianna challenging Mickey at every turn, even as her desire for him grew with every lingering glance and subtle innuendo. With each fleeting touch - a brush of hands, knees pressed together under the table - the tension between them mounted until she could bear it no longer.

Adrianna knew she had already fallen - fallen into the abyss of sweet ruin this man had crafted for her heart and soul. She could only pray the pleasures of the flesh might sate her hunger, if but for a night.

Mickey gazed at Adrianna with dark, hungry eyes, his voice a husky murmur. "Come home with me."

A shiver of anticipation coursed down Adrianna's spine. She leaned closer, her hand trailing up his arm in a feather-light caress. "Is that an order?"

Mickey's breath hitched, his pupils dilating. "No, Adrianna. Never an order." His hand covered hers, pressing it to his chest above his pounding heart. "But I want you. And I think you want me too."

Adrianna thrilled at the raw desire in his tone, the ache in his touch. Here was a man who saw her, could match her intellect, and wanted her all the same. How could she resist him?

"Yes," she whispered, the single word sealing her fate.

Mickey's answering smile was slow, sensual, lighting a fire low in her belly. He took her hand and helped her from her seat, tucking her arm in his as they made their way onto the street.

The chill night air did nothing to dampen the heat coursing through Adrianna's veins. She hadn't been touched in nearly a year, and after the prolonged divorce, she could use some release. Never in a million years would she have expected to meet someone like Mickey at the bar tonight. Maybe life was throwing a piece of fruit for her to ravish. As his car pulled up before them, she turned into his arms, twining her hands behind his neck.

"Just to be clear," she murmured, gazing up at him through lowered lashes, "I fully expect to be ravished tonight."

Mickey's eyes darkened with desire. "Your wish is my command, Adrianna."

He claimed her mouth then in a searing kiss that obliterated all thought, leaving Adrianna breathless and aching for more. Oh yes, she thought, melting against him. Tonight she would be truly ravished.

Adrianna had never been one to have one-night stands or go home with someone she didn't know, but tonight she wanted to go against her norm. After a failed marriage, not on her part, she didn't want to waste anymore time. She craved thrill, excitement, and best of all, to be wanted again. Mickey didn't see her as a thirty-five-year-old divorcee, but as a stunning, intelligent woman. She knew it wouldn't go anywhere after tonight. After all, she wasn't looking for love, so why not have some fun for once?

Mickey's house was modest but tasteful, filled with books and art. But Adrianna had little time to appreciate the decor. As soon as they were through the door, Mickey was on her, kissing her with a hunger that matched her own.

They stumbled towards the bedroom, shedding clothes along the way in their haste to be together, skin on skin. By the time they tumbled onto the bed, Adrianna was down to her panties and Mickey in just his boxers.

He loomed over her, eyes dark with desire. "You're so beautiful," he rasped, hands skimming down her sides.

Adrianna arched into his touch with a soft moan, trying to forget all her insecurities.. "Then take me," she whispered.

With a growl, Mickey claimed her mouth in a searing kiss as his hands slid under her panties. Adrianna gasped, pleasure spiking through her. She tugged at his boxers impatiently until he took the hint, kicking them off and kneeling before her, naked and aroused.

Her mouth went dry at the sight of him. She sat up, running her hands over the firm planes of his chest, the ripple of muscle in his abdomen. "Now," she breathed, gazing up at him through half-lidded eyes. "I need you now."

Mickey pushed her back onto the bed, nudging her thighs apart. "As you wish," he rasped, and then he was sliding into her in one smooth stroke.

Some girls loved foreplay, but in this moment, Adrianna could give a fuck less. She craved the overwhelming sensation of an orgasm, arching her back and letting it consume her. Tonight, she would let Mickey do whatever he wanted to her. She couldn't promise herself she would be this adventurous again. Seize the moment.

Adrianna cried out as he stretched her out. He reached deep into places no one had touched before.

Mickey held himself still for a moment, eyes squeezed shut. "You feel incredible," he gritted out. He moved then, slowly at first but quickly building to a pounding rhythm that had Adrianna clutching at his back, consumed by the sweet ache of pleasure that threatened to overwhelm her.

Where the hell had Mickey been? Why couldn't her ex-husband make her feel like this? Maybe it had to do with the thrill of being with someone new. Someone who knew nothing about her life. A blank slate. Sometimes she fantasized about going home with a stranger in a bar, but she never thought it would come true. It was everything she'd dreamed it would be, and more. Tonight, she thought, clinging to Mickey as her release approached, she would fly apart in his arms.

His lips kissed her forehead before he dropped beside her on the bed, breathing heavy, and giving time for both of them to come down from the highs. And boy, was she high!

"Would you like a water?" he asked, leaning over to small fridge next to his bed.

Adrianna's eyes couldn't believe what she was seeing. Who had a fridge next to their bed? Does he bring women home often? Oh god, what did she just do?

Mickey handed her a chilled bottle of water, and she chugged half of it before sitting it down on the side table. "I saw your library collection when coming in. Mind if I check it out?"

His smile lengthened, and he nodded, laying back on the bed while Adrianna threw her clothes back on and trudged out to the study.

This was her dream room. Floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with some of the best literature. She couldn't believe out of anyone that could have hit on her tonight that it was Mickey. A fellow lover of classic literature. A man that understood her love for Pride and Prejudice and other classics. Adrianna ran her fingers across the shelves, gazing at his collection, until she came across Wuthering Heights.

"Be careful with that one. It's a first edition," Mickey said, sneaking up behind her, and putting his hands around her waist, dropping a kiss on her neck. "One day, that book is going to buy someone in my family a house."

Something about tonight was different than she imagined. In movies, one-night-stands rarely hang around after the sex, but Mickey didn't seem to mind. Instead, he was enveloping her with warmth.

"I find it extremely sexy that you care so much about your collection. Most men collect cars, but I have feelings you are a man that collects first editions. Am I right?"

He nodded.

"Well, Mickey, you might just be the perfect man in another universe for me."

"Why not in this one?" he asked, peering into her eyes with sincerity.

"I've got too much going on in life right now to even think about all that. Tonight was amazing, truly, but it's time to get back to reality."

After some back and forth of Mickey trying to convince her to call him if she ever changed her mind about seeing each other again, he called her a cab to get back to her car. She stood on his doorstep, him leaning against the frame.

He took her phone and programmed his number. "Just in case. Maybe we can at least have coffee and discuss some more classics."

The cab pulled up in front of the house and Adrianna had an inkling that she should stay, but instead she kissed him and got in the car, perfectly content with never seeing him again.