Page 22 of Blush

What are the odds that Ben himself would show up at this tiny little sushi place?

Not good.

Which makes me wonder…

“Why are you here, exactly?” I ask.

“Well…lunch, for starters.”

Another surge of warmth touches my cheeks. Why would I ask why he’s here? I’m being overly presumptuous. No way was this orchestrated by anything—or anyone—but fate.

Besides, Ben Black has no interest in the likes of me.

“A friend of mine recommended this place,” Ben says. “Do you come here often?”

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorites. The portions are so much larger than the bigger sushi restaurants.”

“Then maybe I found a new favorite as well.” He smiles.

And as dazzling as his smile is, it doesn’t make my heart nearly stop like Jackson Paris’s does.

“Would you excuse me for a moment?” Ben rises and walks out the door of the restaurant, staring at his phone.

My moment for escape has come. I’m able to catch the eye of one of the chefs. “Could you just give me a to-go box, please?”

“Sure.”

A moment later, I’m shoving what’s left of my two rolls in the box, and I make a quick getaway out the back door.

…

Get a grip, Mandy.

I’ve been sitting in front of my computer, staring at the takeout container holding the rest of my lunch, too frightened to get back on Lustr.

I swallow down my fear, or at least attempt to, and pull up the site.

More matches and more matches. All as ridiculous as the ones I saw yesterday. Then—

Still think you’re ready?

Mr. Dark and Sexy.

Goose bumps erupt. So strange. Normally, I only feel this way when I’m thinking about Jackson.

What is it about this person? This masked man behind my computer screen?

My heart pounds. Just when I’m convinced it’s going to fly right out of my chest, another message arrives from him.

I won’t wait forever.

Normally I’d tell someone who said those words to me to go screw himself. Sure, I may be inexperienced and innocent—Jackson’s words, not mine—but I don’t take ultimatums lightly.

I’m about ready to move on when—

Don’t venture out if you’re not ready for the consequences.

Damn.