I noticed two interlocking A’s in the corner of its screen, and earlier, in the sunlight, I’d noticed that my name was etched on the edge of its frame.

“Are you Thoreau?” A woman’s voice interrupted my thoughts, making me look up.

“I am.”

She smiled and took the seat across from me. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m a regular here and the waitress asked if I’d be having my usual when I arrived. I told her you would have the same.”

“I don’t mind at all.” A small feeling of guilt welled inside my chest, but it wasn’t enough to distract me from pursuing what I needed tonight: Pussy. ASAP.

The waitress placed two steamed dishes in front of us, and I checked the time. I was only giving this woman one hour.

“So, what type of cases do you normally handle?” she asked.

“Corporate for the most part, but I’ve done government and tax as well.”

“Interesting. Have you lived in Durham long?”

“Too long.”

“And is this your normal M.O.?” She leaned back in her chair, dragging her nails against her see-through top. “One night stands?”

“Is that a problem for you?”

“It never is.”

I raised my eyebrow and looked her over. She was actually quite appealing—long blond hair, curvy figure, and perky breasts.

Physical attributes aside, we seemed to have a lot in common. She was a real lawyer in the next county over, she read most of the same books, and from what she’d told me over the phone, we shared a comparable sexual appetite.

Our entrees came and went, the conversation plodded along, but Aubrey’s watch still had a part of my attention.

“Is something bothering you?” My date waved her hand in front of my face. “I remember you being a lot more talkative over the phone.”

“I’m fine.” I waved the waiter over for the check. “Just tired.”

“Too tired to fuck?”

“I’m never too tired to fuck.”

Blushing, she crossed her legs and leaned over the table. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

I didn’t respond. I simply signed the check and stood up, holding out my hand for her.

We walked through the hotel lobby and straight for the elevators.

The second the doors closed, she pressed her lips against mine and threaded her fingers through my hair.

“Fuck...” I groaned as one of her hands slid down to my belt.

She moved her mouth down my neck as we ascended to the top floor, grazing her teeth against my skin. Moaning, she gasped as I gripped her waist and kissed her back—controlling her tongue with mine.

I pulled the band away from her ponytail and tossed it to the floor. I closed my eyes and deepened our kiss—torturously biting her lip as she tried to pull away.

Sliding her knee between my legs, she unfastened my belt and tugged at my zipper. “How long are we going to fuck tonight?”

“As long as you want.” I palmed her breasts through her shirt, slipping a hand underneath her bra.

“Ahhhh...” She murmured as I caressed her nipple.

The elevator doors slid open quickly, but our bodies remained entwined as we found our way to the suite. Her lips latched onto mine again as we stumbled into the room—bumping into the lamps and the dressers.

She was moaning louder now, barely controlling herself as I unzipped her dress and unclasped her bra.

I felt her hands at my waist—pushing my pants to the floor, and when my back hit the wall, I realized she was on her knees in front of me.

Leaning forward, she rubbed her hands up and down my cock, asking me to tell her how badly I wanted her mouth on me.

“I don’t...” I shook my head as I realized I had been fantasizing about Aubrey the entire time.

“You’re not even going to beg for it?” She smiled, bringing her head closer.

“Stop.” I grabbed her by her hair and gently pushed her away.

“Is something wrong, Thoreau? Did you want to do me first instead? Should I get on the bed or the chair?”

I couldn’t make out the rest of her questions; images of Aubrey were clouding my brain, invading all my senses. And the more I stared at this woman, a woman who was nowhere near as beautiful as Aubrey, the more I felt my cock softening.

Fuck...

I pulled my pants up and zipped the fly. “I no longer feel like fucking you. You can leave.”

“Excuse me?” She sucked in a breath and crossed her arms. “What did you just say?”

“I said that I don’t feel like fucking you.” I spoke slowly. “And that you can leave. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“You’re going to put me out? Just like that?”

“Would you like me to reserve another room for you?”

“What happened to the man I met online?” She stood up. “Was that all a front? Is this some type of game where you take out women, say sexy things you’ve probably read off the internet, and then make them get naked knowing damn well that you don’t know how to fuck?”

“I definitely know how to fuck.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “I just don’t feel like fucking you.”

“I can’t...I can’t believe...” Her jaw dropped. “You’re a fucking asshole!”

“Asshole? Yes. Fucking? Unfortunately not. Can you make sure that the door is completely closed on your way out?”

She pulled her dress over her body and picked up her purse. “I’m putting a flag next to your profile on Date-Match. And you know what else? I’m going to leave a review of our encounter, too. I’m going to make sure—”

“Do you normally talk as you get dressed?” I cut her off and took a seat on the bed. “I’m pretty sure it’s something that doesn’t require conversation.”

Fuming, she slipped into her shoes and rushed out of the room—slamming the door behind her.

I waited until I heard the ping of the elevator and lay across the mattress. I tried my best to think of something or someone other than Aubrey, but she was all that came to mind.

What the fuck is happening?

I stared at the ceiling for another hour, unable to take my mind off of how her mouth felt against mine at the office earlier today. Even if it was only for a few seconds.

Needing to get to the bottom of this, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called her.

“Hello?” She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Why did you buy me that watch, Aubrey?”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t, but I read the inscription on the back.”

Silence.

“I need to ask you something,” I said.

“Only if I can ask you a few things first...”

“Go ahead.”

“How can you possibly be so adamant about honesty when you haven’t been completely honest with me?”

“I have been completely honest with you.”

“I’m starting to believe that your name isn’t really Andrew Hamilton...”

“So you’re still stalking me and my past online? Do you not have any other hobbies?”

“Who is EH?” Her voice cracked. “Why are those two letters hanging on all your walls? Why are they engraved in all of your cufflinks?”