Shelby had seen him around for months and months.

He was always at the same local spots as she was.

Mooney's beer bar, the darts place on Ashby Street, and now here he was at Belvedere's.

Nineties music was blasting through the place.

She was amazed how he stood out, even on a crowded dance night like tonight.

They locked eyes, even from across the room, he was dark and mysterious.

Shelby turned away and took a big swig of her gin and tonic. When she dared to look back,

he was approaching her.

Hey, he said, how's it going? I feel like I keep seeing you, well, everywhere. Shelby laughed. Her blonde hair was curled down her back. Yeah, I see. He was really so hot up close. He had dark hair styled perfectly. With only one loose piece curling over his forehead. His tall and lanky body was exactly Shelby's type.

So, you here alone? The guy asked, and it wasn't creepy.

It felt like a genuine and curious question.

For the next hour, they got lost on the dance floor.

Shelby couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun or felt so thrilled, but the feeling

quickly faded when the man, who she now knew was Abel, leaned in and told her he was married.

She should have ended it there.

She knew that.

She knew this was a bad idea.

But as they filed into the taxi together and took off for her apartment, it was hard not to acknowledge the thrumming ache between her thighs.

They had barely kicked her front door shut before they began making out.

It was hungry and loud, like two wild animals going at each other.

Abel pushed his hand around the back of her neck, holding her while his lips traveled across the front of her throat.

She noticed he smelled good, a cool, clean scent she could only describe as blue.

...