Page 8 of Sweet Temptation

Then I walked out with her and Flynn; he’d had Brody’s driver bring Elle’s car around to the back exit for them. And as Flynn escorted us through the crowd, I took a good, long look at him. And I wondered… Why?

Why was I so drawn to him in the first place?

Flynn was straight-laced and stiff. Strong and protective, too, and sure, that was hot.

But he wasn’t really… my type.

I appreciated that he always seemed to be looking out for me, out of courtesy to Elle, to Brody. I really did.

Even though it was unnecessary.

But why couldn’t I read the signs that he was never into me?

Outside the restaurant, he turned to me and said, “I can get someone to walk you to your car—”

“No need.” I waved that off. “Just take care of the superstar.” I gave Elle a final hug, then headed off.

“Drive safe!” Elle called after me. “And enjoy your party!”

“Always do!” I called back.

As I headed through the parking lot to my car, I glanced into the shadows. It was early October, and it was a dark, cloudy night. There were people not far away, on the sidewalk, going in and out of the restaurant.

Elle’s car drove past as I was getting into mine, and Flynn tooted the horn. I waved good night.

And it occurred to me…

Maybe it was the instinct to want to be close to the safety Flynn provided and not him that I wanted. Maybe I liked that he was looking out for me, way more than I’d realized?

Again… Why?

It was a weird, nagging feeling, and it made no sense.

What was Flynn gonna do, protect me from having a bad day?

Chapter Two

Summer

I woke up in the dead of night.

It was an ugly wakeup, disturbing. The kind that tears you out of a deep dream. I was disoriented but wide awake, and I didn’t know why.

I just knew that something had woken me up.

My heartbeat slammed in my chest. I was alone in bed, in my bedroom, and it was dead silent. I realized I was holding my breath and exhaled, hard.

“Fuck,” I muttered, rubbing my face.

What the hell.

Maybe I was having a bad dream? But I couldn’t remember it.

All I could remember was… I was having a bad day.

And maybe it wasn’t quite done with me yet.

I threw back the covers and sat up. Everything felt creepy and wrong, like the lingering effects of a nightmare.