He let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“I’m just used to bad hookups. Some of them would leave right after we had sex, or they’d call a cab to send me home before I even put on my clothes.”

“Maybe you picked those guys because they were safe,” he suggested. “There was no risk of getting emotionally involved with them. No chance of loving them and losing them the way you lost your brother.”

“That makes sense. I never thought of it that way.” She leaned against the sink. “Is Royce back for good? What about the office?”

“Don’t worry about Royce,” he promised, although he had no idea what he was going to do. With an airtight lease and the importance of the location to the Alpha Health Care pitch, there was no way Royce would give up the office. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Does that mean we’re still playing the game?”

“I don’t know,” he said honestly. “Are you still planning on meeting the rest of the suitors on your father’s list? I can’t be objective anymore. I’ll hate them all.”

A pained expression crossed her face. “I need the office, Sam. I can’t just walk away. I’m not making enough money to pay rent, and my dad was going to let me use it for free. Working above the restaurant also means I can help out my family when they need me. And my aunties have been giving that address to people looking for work.”

Sam needed the office, too. For Nisha. For justice. For his own redemption. But he didn’t want to think about it right now, didn’t want to deal with the complication. He wasn’t interested in playing the game if it meant either of them would have to leave. He couldn’t imagine not seeing Layla every day. Something had changed for him last night. He’d had a glimpse into the life of a man who was worthy of a woman like Layla. He wanted a chance to explore it, and he didn’t want to waste any time.

After a quick look around to make sure they were alone, he walked into the restroom and locked the door.

“What are you doing?”

Coming up behind Layla, Sam brushed her hair over one shoulder, baring the slender expanse of her neck. “I want you,” he whispered.

“Here? In the restroom?” She turned to face him.

“Here.” He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her close. “Now.” He nibbled the shell of her ear, tracing the gentle curve with his tongue. “Tonight.” Skimming his lips down her neck, he breathed in the light, floral scent of her perfume. “Tomorrow.” He dropped little licks and nips along her bare skin. “And the next day. And the day after that.”

Layla let out a breathy moan. “This isn’t a good idea, Sam.”

“What are you afraid of?” He cupped her cheek, tilted her head back so he could stare into the warmth of her eyes. “Falling for me?”

Her eyes slipped closed and she drew in a ragged breath. “Yes.”

• 17 •

LAYLA’S heart thudded in her chest. He was so handsome, so sexy. Their night together had been incredible. But when she’d woken up alone, she’d felt that same sick feeling she had every time she met someone new. She was done with men who couldn’t commit. She wanted something more, a deeper connection; a real relationship—even if it didn’t involve love. But she didn’t know if she could find it with Sam.

Sam cupped her nape, his thumb stroking her cheek. He bent down until his lips were only a breath away. “You take care of everyone. Let me take care of you.”

“How?”

He gently cradled her face between his broad palms. Her lips parted with a sharp inhale and he pressed his mouth tenderly against hers.

The softness of his kiss was unexpected. Hidden away in the restroom, with no chance of being discovered, she gave in to her desire.

His fingers wove through her hair, and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding into her mouth with a promise of making all her sex-in-a-restroom fantasies come true.

“How was that?” he murmured against her lips.

“I don’t want to fall for you and lose you the way I lost Dev.”

He tilted her head back, thumbs framing her face. “Trust me, Layla. I’m not going anywhere. But I won’t be able to sit through any more interviews with men who aren’t worthy of you. I won’t be able to be as restrained as I was with Baboo.”

“You threatened to break his arms.”

“I wanted to break his face.”

She laughed. “That’s a little excessive, don’t you think?”

“A little bit much was asking me to take him into the restroom for a premarital exam.”

She liked this about Sam—his ability to understand her insecurities and use humor to ease her fears. Her hands slid over his shoulders and she leaned up to kiss him again.

“I want you.” His tongue swept through her mouth, making her shiver. She’d enjoyed sex with the men she’d been with, but no one had wanted her with an intensity that took her breath away.

“You’ve got me until someone needs to pee.”

He gave a satisfied rumble, running his hands up and down her body. “Spread your legs.”

And now, as if she weren’t already wet from being kissed and caressed until her nerve endings tingled, the dirty talking in that deep, dark rumble of a voice spiraled her body into overdrive.

There was only one little problem.

“Sam . . . I’m wearing—”

“Not for long.” He yanked open her skirt and shoved it down her hips. But when his fingers slid between her thighs, searching for the edge of her panties, they just kept sliding.

“What is this?” He backed away, studying her waist-slimming, tummy-tucking, thigh-squeezing, ass-lifting elastic shapewear with confusion.

Layla pulled at the elastic waist and released it with a loud, skin-pinching snap. “I wear it when I go clothes shopping. It holds things in.” She hesitated. “And keeps things out.”

Sam studied the garment. “Do I cut you out of it? I have a pocketknife.”

“Nothing so drastic.” She looked down to hide her mortification. “It kind of . . . rolls.”

A choking sound made her lift her head. Sam was leaning against the sink, fingers braced against his forehead, shaking with laughter.

“Do you have any normal underwear?”

“Of course I do,” Layla huffed. “And stop laughing. It’s not funny. Obviously, I wasn’t expecting you to show up and seduce me in a restroom. If I had, I would have worn easy-access pants.”