Compass Page 19

  They always look like her.

  Light brown hair, sky blue eyes and a body that takes me to that place I crave. It's where I forget – her innocence, my cruelty, everything.

  Last night was different.

  This one didn't only look like her, she danced like her, spoke in a soft voice like her, and when she lost control on my sheets in that split second I live for, she made a sound that cracked my heart open. My heart; cold and jaded as it is, it felt a beat of something for this one.

  She left before I woke up.

  I need to forget about the woman from last night, just like I've forgotten every woman but the one who started me on this path to self-destruction.

  I might have been able to if I wasn't standing in a crowded courtroom ready to take on the most important case of my career staring at the woman who crawled out of my arms just hours ago and into the role of opposing counsel.

  I may be a high-profile lawyer, but her name is one I'd recognize anywhere.

  The woman I screwed last night is the same one I screwed over in high school.

  Court is now in session, and it's me versus her.

  Chapter 1

  Dylan

  The world within Manhattan is its own beast. You learn that when you live here. When you claw your way around this city looking for something elusive.

  For some, that’s a job that will keep a roof over their heads.

  For others, it’s a relationship that will stand the test of time and weather the winds of change.

  I have the first and no interest in the second.

  My needle in the haystack is a particular type of woman.

  I don’t bother with blondes.

  My cock has zero interest in redheads.

  For me, it’s all about the type of woman I see in front of me now.

  Light brown hair, blue eyes, and a petite body that can move to the beat of the music.

  Experience has taught me that if a woman can dance, she can fuck.

  The woman I’m watching now is graceful, beautiful, and within the hour will be in my bed.

  I slide off the bar stool and approach her.

  “I’m Dylan.”

  She taps her ear. “What was that?”

  I lean in closer as she dances around me. “I’m Dylan, and you are?”

  “Dancing.” She breathes on a small laugh. “It’s nice to meet you, Dylan.”

  “You’ve been watching me.” I stand in place while the patrons of this club down around me, brushing against my expensive, imported suit.

  She spins before she slows. “I could say the same for you.”

  I look down at her face.

  Jesus, she’s striking. Her eyes are a shade of blue, that particular shade of blue that always takes my breath away.

  “We’re leaving together tonight.”

  That cocks one of her perfectly arched brows. “You’re assuming that I’m not leaving with someone else.”

  “You’re here alone.” I spin when she does to catch her gaze again.

  The skirt of her black dress picks up with the motion revealing a beautiful set of legs. “Maybe I like being alone.”

  “Not tonight.” I reach for her hand.

  She slows before she slides her palm against mine. “Dance with me, Dylan.”

  I breathe out on a heavy sigh. I haven’t heard those four words in years. I haven’t danced in as long.

  I pull her close to me, sliding my free hand down her back. “What’s your name?”

  “Does it matter?” She looks up at me.

  It never does.

  I dance her closer to an alcove, a spot where the crowd is thin and the music quieter.

  Her body follows mine instinctively, our shared movements drawing the admiring glances of others.

  She’s letting me lead now, but the sureness of her steps promises aggression in bed.

  “We’re wasting time. “

  Her lips curve up into a smile. “Foreplay comes in many forms.”

  “Is that what this is?” I laugh. “I want to fuck you.”

  She presses every inch of her body against me. “You will.”

  My cock swells with those words. “Now.”

  “Patience, Dylan.” Her lips brush my jawline. “I promise this will be a night you’ll never forget.”

  Coming soon

  WISH – A Novel by Deborah Bladon

  If you haven’t read Tilly and Sebastian’s love story yet, you’ll find that in WISH.

  My twenty-fifth birthday was just like the twenty-four before it.

  I stood next to my identical twin sister as we blew out the candles on our shared birthday cake.

  She wished for a healthy new baby to add to the family she already has with her husband.

  I wished for my parents to stop asking me why I wasn’t more like my twin.

  When I get back to Manhattan after my birthday trip, a surprise is waiting for me.

  A tall, gorgeous, tattooed stranger is in my apartment.

  Did I mention he’s naked?

  He says it’s not a big deal. I say it is a BIG deal, if you know what I mean.

  I assume he’s here to see my roommate, but apparently I’m wrong since she left town while I was away.

  Sebastian Wolf is my new roommate.

  I’m tempted to throw him out after the first day, but I agree to give him another chance.

  When I start to wish for more, I discover that my new roommate isn’t the man I thought he was.

  Chapter 1

  Tilly

  I can’t look away.

  I know that I should. I realize that it’s the right thing to do, but my gaze stays locked on the sight that’s in front of me.

  It’s an intricate tattoo that covers the broad left shoulder of a man. The sharp lines of dark ink dip down to curl around his muscular bicep.

  The ink on his skin isn’t the only mesmerizing thing about him. This man is not only tall and dangerously good-looking, but he’s hung. As in, the-largest-cock-I’ve-ever-seen hung.

  The stranger in my apartment isn’t wearing any clothes. He’s completely naked and standing next to the now dead bouquet of flowers that were delivered to me before I boarded a flight to San Francisco five days ago.

  His eyes are closed, his phone is in his hand, ear buds are tucked in place, and he’s swaying slowly to what must be music I can’t hear.

  I should walk over to him and tap him on the shoulder, but I can’t.

  My feet have been planted in this spot, just inside the foyer of my apartment since I got home a few minutes ago.

  My roommate, Lisa, wasn’t expecting me to come back for another three days.

  We don’t keep in touch when one of us is out of town. We barely speak when we pass each other in the hallway.

  Lisa and I are not friends.

  We’re roommates; nothing more and nothing less.

  She has every right to invite a guy over. We only have one unspoken rule. I don’t knock if her bedroom door is closed, and she does the same if mine is shut.

  This is the first time I’ve ever caught a glimpse of one of the men she’s sleeping with. It was worth the wait. This man is ridiculously hot.

  I have to cross the room so I can get to the hallway that leads to my bedroom. I need to do that without the naked stranger noticing me. The last thing I want is to make small talk with Lisa’s lover right now.

  I finally pull my gaze away from him to look down at the hardwood floors. I need to think. I know the sight of Lisa’s latest is jumbling my thought process. It’s understandable though. Who wouldn’t have trouble focusing when an incredibly attractive naked man is across the room?

  “Matilda?”

  I close my eyes when I hear the distinctive rumble of a deep voice. Why does this man’s voice have to sound so damn sexy?

  I’ve never corrected Lisa about my name. Matilda Jean Baker is my full name, so my lawyer used it for the rental agreement I had Lisa sign before she moved in. Almost ev
eryone, other than my boss, calls me Tilly.

  I admit I like that the naked stranger is calling me Matilda, although I’m shocked Lisa bothered to mention me to him.

  My eyes open and I try to focus on the phone in my hand. It’s a stall tactic. I’m hesitant to look up again. I’ve already got a mental image of his body. I doubt I’ll ever forget it.

  “That’s me.” I sigh.

  I hear his footsteps as he nears me.

  Dammit. The naked stranger is almost right in front of me.

  “I thought you were going to be in San Francisco until Sunday.”

  “I came home early,” I say evenly.

  I eye his bare feet. I know eventually I need to look up, but he’s so close now and I don’t trust myself not to stare at his dick. From this vantage point, I’ll be able to see every vein and how wide the crown is.

  “Matilda, are you okay? You’re trembling.” His hand brushes against my shoulder. “It’s freezing outside. Did you come from the airport dressed like that?”

  He’s one to talk. At least I’m wearing clothes. The ripped jeans and old red college T-shirt I’m wearing did nothing to protect me from the blast of winter weather that arrived while I was gone. When I left last week, it was forty degrees warmer than it is now.

  “I’ll make some coffee.”

  My head darts up when he makes that announcement. Who offers to make a pot of coffee at two a.m. when they’re wearing nothing and their lover is probably waiting in her bedroom for another round?

  My gaze skims over his smooth chest until it lands on the faux fur blanket he’s wrapped around his waist. His left hand is resting on his hip, the blanket’s edges bunched into his fist.

  “I didn’t startle you, did I?” He looks down and into my eyes. “It’s dark in here. You probably didn’t even notice I was standing over there until I said your name.”

  It’s not that dark.

  He’s unaware that I was staring at him when I first walked in. That means I won’t have to awkwardly try and explain to my roommate why I was checking out her nude lover.

  At least now he’s grabbed the blanket from where it’s usually placed over the back of the leather couch. I use that blanket to wrap around myself when I watch my favorite shows in the evening. Now, I’ll always think about the fact that it touched his naked body.

  I shake that thought from my head. “I should get to bed. It’s been a long day for me.”

  He nods. “I understand. There’s nothing better than sleeping in your own bed after a trip.”

  I reach to pick up my suitcase before I head toward my bedroom. He’s wrong. The only thing better than sleeping in my bed after my trip to San Francisco would be sleeping next to him. Although, after seeing him naked, sleep would be the last thing I’d want to do.

  “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Matilda,” he calls from behind me.

  The pleasure is all mine. It’s technically all Lisa’s. She’s the one who gets to enjoy what I just saw.

  With any luck, I won’t hear the two of them together. After the week I just had, the last thing I need is a reminder that there are men in the world who know how to a fuck a woman raw.

  I have no doubt that the naked stranger in my living room is one of them.

  Click here to read WISH

  THANK YOU

  Thank you for purchasing and downloading my book. I can’t even begin to put to words what it means to me. If you enjoyed it, please remember to write a review for it. Let me know your thoughts! I want to keep my readers happy.

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  Thank you, for everything.

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Deborah Bladon has never read a romance hero she didn't like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She's a Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home.

  She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.