The next day, Jenna gets a text from Heather.
Heather
Still stuck in this meeting! Think I can make it to happy hour in 30.
Jenna
I already got both of us wine. The merlots and I will be waiting.
Heather
You’re there early. Didn’t you go to your place from the airport first?
Heather
Or are you afraid Adam hasn’t left yet?
Jenna glances at the small suitcase stowed near her legs under the bar.
Jenna
I thought I would get here before the crowd.
Jenna
Snagged us seats in a corner where not even the bartender will bother us.
Jenna
It has nothing to do with Adam.
Heather
Whatever you say.
With a long sigh, Jenna leans an elbow on the bar.
Someone tall and broad slides onto the barstool next to her.
She doesn’t even have the energy to look at him.
Jenna
Sorry, that seat’s—
A low male voice buzzes over her neck.
Adam
Last night you said you didn’t want to face me after what we’d started.
Adam
So keep those eyes down, Rosy.
Adam
Just look at your phone.
Jenna
What the hell are you doing, Adam?
Adam
Leaving you a parting gift before my trip.
Adam
I know you and Heather have happy hour here every Wednesday when you’re in town.
Adam
So I took a chance to see you.
Adam
Since you've been enjoying our texts so much, I thought we’d try something new.
Adam
Just think of this as a very intense conversation.
He slides his big hand over her thigh.
She sucks in a harsh breath.
Adam
That’s right. Give that little monster inside permission to enjoy this.
Jenna
I’m not sure this is a good—
Adam
Idea? Then stop thinking.
Jenna
Okay. I’m…I’m ready.
He slowly pulls up her business skirt.
Impulsively, she parts her legs, then bites down hard on her lip.
Jenna
Someone’s going to see.
Adam
We’re in a corner. The bar is blocking what’s happening below the surface.
He traces his fingertips between her thighs.
Electricity zings through her, then pounds through her blood.
Adam
Agreed, because now I can see the blood rushing to your face, making you blush.
Adam
I can imagine how this moment is making you feel.
Her pulse jerks in response to the featherlike strokes up her thigh.
Adam
Do you know how many times I wanted to do this to you at the library in college?
Adam
You’d be wearing one of your cute skirts with manga knee socks and UGG boots.
Adam
I couldn’t keep my damned mind on those numbers for calculus…
Adam
I was too busy thinking about breaking YOU down.
She opens her legs a little more.
Something inside her is aching…
Jenna
If you’re looking to break me down…
Jenna
God, you’re doing a good job of it.
Adam
Jesus, your skin is as soft as I thought it’d be.
He traces his fingertips higher, then pauses.
The phone screen blurs in Jenna’s line of sight as she bites her lip harder.
He brushes a fingertip against the center of her.
Adam laughs under his breath.
Adam
You had a lot of lace in your bedroom drawers.
Adam
All I’ve been thinking about is you in those pretty things.
Adam
But it’s not lace that I want to feel.
Adam
What would happen if I slip my finger under your panties like…
He slides beneath the lace edge, stroking her.
Jenna lowers her head, totally high on heat and adrenaline.
Adam
Don’t clutch the bar, Rosy. It’s a dead giveaway.
She trembles, the pressure building.
Jenna
Now I’m never going to be able to face you.
Adam
We’ll see about that.
Adam
I’m still going to try and change your mind.
His whisper is rough, impatient.
He feels so good inside her that she turns her face all the way to the other side.
It’s all she can do not to move with every pump.
It’s all she can do to feel the steam pulsing in her, gathering…
A quiet, intense orgasm rocks her. She grips his muscled thigh and shudders.
Adam
There she is. The woman I was looking for…
He removes his hand and straightens her skirt, then presses his mouth to her ear.
Adam
I’ve got a plane to catch to LA so I can start moving into my house and the new office.
Adam
I won’t be back for a few days to grab the last of my stuff.
Adam
That gives you some time to think about us, Rosy.
Adam
Think hard. I really hope you change your mind.
He leaves as discreetly as he came.
It takes Jenna fifteen minutes before she can try to pull herself back together.
When she has all her things, she texts Heather.
Jenna
I’m already on the subway home. Rain check for another happy hour?
Heather
How about tomorrow? Maybe I’ll be out of this meeting by then.
Jenna
Yeah, and maybe my brain will sort out what just happened.
Heather
Something happened?
Jenna
Adam came into the bar and…
Jenna
I don’t even know what to call it.
Jenna
It was…intense. Then he left.
Jenna
But before he did, he told me that I need to think about us being together.
Jenna
I’m not sure whether I should be turned on or utterly despaired…
Jenna
Because I don’t know if I have the guts to be with him that way.
Jenna
I mean, then he’d see all of me, right?
Jenna
We’ve never touched like that.
Jenna
And, God, it was so, so good.
Heather
I’m totally gonna ask for details later. All I want to know right now is…
Heather
Will you change your mind about letting him in?
Jenna leans back in her subway seat, not knowing how to answer that.
