“What if I hadn’t lowered my standards?”I chased away the pointless thought that maybe I could’ve found a better man and forced myself back to reality. I had one goal here—and that was all that mattered.I fixed my gaze on him and smiled as I spoke.“You?”At my brief question, he let out a meaningful laugh. We began to size each other up, trading small talk—nothing more than a playful warm-up before the main event. An appetizer before the real thing.After a few meaningless words, we’d head to the restroom, do a little hand play, clear away each other’s release, and part ways. All according to the predetermined schedule, without a shred of doubt.Until the unexpected happened.“Do you come here often? I’ve never seen you before.”I shrugged it off.“Just bad timing, I guess.”“Today’s timing’s perfect, though.”He raised his glass, and I tapped my beer mug against his before taking a drink. The cold liquid slid down my throat just as he, having finished his first, spoke in an excited, higher-pitched voice.“I only dropped by for the first time in a month, but if every night’s like this, I’d come every day.”“Ha,” I said, plastering on a laugh. His gaze roamed over me before returning to my face—obviously flattering, obviously insincere. I knew it was all empty words, so I played along. I scanned the back of the bar, hoping he’d get the hint and we’d move on. It was still loud inside, and I could barely catch half of what he was saying. Our objectives were different, so listening closely felt like a waste of time. I didn’t want to waste any more—so I slipped my hand over his, which was casually resting on the bar top.“We should be doing something else instead of chatting, don’t you think?”He froze for a moment, then let out a lewd laugh. He reached for his back pocket, pulling out his wallet to pay. I watched, feigning patience, until—and only until—I saw it.“Here.”His wallet lay open in his hand as he handed money to the bartender. Front and center was a bright photo of him, smiling alongside a woman and two children.A cold wave swept through my veins, chilling my thoughts to ice. My flushed body went numb, and the heat of desire flickered out in an instant. It felt as if that unmistakable family portrait had been nailed behind my eyes. He draped an arm over my shoulder with a casual grin.“Shall we go?”He leaned in to kiss me, and I turned my face away, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ glaring. My tone was stiff as I spoke.“I’ve changed my mind. Find someone else.”“What? Just like that? Why?”He looked genuinely thrown—but I only furrowed my brow and glanced at the pocket where he’d stashed his wallet. He hesitated, then shrugged as if it were nothing.“Oh, that? No big deal.”His pride as he tucked the wallet back told me everything. My desire cooled completely, but he hadn’t noticed a thing. He continued, as if lecturing an old friend.“Women with kids always put their husbands last. What can you do? Gotta let off steam somehow. Come on, cut me some slack. Why are you acting like some prude? Us guys have needs, you know?”He laughed shamelessly, and I felt bile rise. Maybe he had a fetish for married women, or a fantasy of hetero sex. Whatever it was, I wasn’t into it.“Get off me.”I shoved him away and he staggered, nearly falling. He missed, but knocked my beer off the bar, shattering the glass in a crash. He stared between the mess and my face, but I spun on my heel and walked off. What a waste of time. If I didn’t find someone else soon, I’d be leaving empty-handed tonight. I even considered dragging the next poor guy I saw into the restroom—until someone seized my shoulder from behind.“…Hey.”I let out a sharp cry and whipped around. Of course it was him, anger twisting his features to match my own contorted expression.“Where do you think you’re going? We’re not done!”He spit the words in a rough voice as he grabbed my arm. I shook him off and spoke coldly.“I don’t do partners who already have one. Go find someone else.”“What? Hey, wait—”I tried to turn away again, but he held on, shouting curses in my ear. Disgust flooded me—what a worthless jerk. Swearing under my breath only fueled my irritation. I came here to blow off steam, not to pile on more stress. I almost gave up and left—then, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.The bar’s usual clamor dropped away for a split second, replaced by a tense hush. A chill ran down my spine. I slowly turned—and saw him enter, as if summoned by magic. The men who’d been laughing, kissing, fooling around all froze in place. He was at least two heads taller than anyone else, an immense figure commanding every gaze—mine included.Nathaniel Miller.I stood there, mouth agape, utterly stunned. I shook my head and looked again, but there was no mistake. His platinum-blond hair, immaculate and slicked back, gleamed even in the dim light. His sharp jawline and defined features, his long, intense eyes—they were exactly as I remembered. And that towering height…there was no one else like him in the world.

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