You Never Knew

Chapter 1

"You better hurry up – my feet are already killing me! I need shots!"

Jenna screamed from the hallway of the apartment we shared. I had known her since forever and even though we were very different, she was always my rock and I hers.

"Coming! Just need to fix my eyebrows", I shouted back, making the final adjustments to my makeup.

"Honey, no one is going to even look at your brows in that dress. Now hurry up!"

I laughed and grabbed my bag before running out the door together with her. Tonight we were celebrating – me starting my new job and her starting to work on her latest art show. And celebration with Jenna always meant two things; dancing and shameless flirting.

We arrived at the club and spotted Lukas standing on the elevated floor near one of the bars.

"Where have you beeeeeen?!" Lukas squealed and air-kissed us both on the cheeks.

"It's all her fault. She took forever to get ready!" Jenna pointed an elegant, blaming finger at me.

"But look at how fine she looks". He made me twirl for him and I laughed. Jenna rolled her eyes.

"These shoes needs shots!", she proclaimed before heading to the bar.

"Get me some as well!", Lukas shouted after her before he turned to me and smiled. "I need me some liquid courage. Have you seen the guys in here? So frikkin cute! My gaydar is going off all over the place."

"Just make sure to leave a few for me and Jenna", I smiled and started to scan the crowd.

Lukas lifted his hands up in the air, trying to look innocent. "Not making any promises!"

The place was already packed, with base-heavy music blaring from the speakers. Jenna cane back with a tray full of drinks. Lukas immediately snagged a tequila shot and gulped it down. Jenna glared at him and held out the tray for me.

"Quick – grab a shot and a Cosmo before the diva snatch it all!" She nodded towards Lukas who pretended to get offended before shamelessly gulping down another shot. I smiled at them, emptied a shot glass with suspicious content and took a sip of my Cosmo.

As I turned to scan the room again, that's when I saw him – and he saw me.

It felt as the rest of the club blurred. One look and I could already feel the magnetism between us. He locked eyes with me and a tiny smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth.

"Guys...?" I called on their attention, not breaking eye-contact with the stranger, while taking another sip of my drink.

Jenna turned to me. "What? Found something interesting?"

I nodded and she followed my gaze.

"Damn, not bad hun!", she said while taking a sip of her drink. "If he turns you down, send him my way!"

"Or mine! I'll take him!", Lukas said while playfully winking of at me.

"Don't hold your breath!" I flipped them both off while taking a large gulp of my drink, before putting it down on a nearby table.

I started to stride towards him. He was slowly sipping on his scotch, an amused expression on his face as I wiggled my way across the dance floor.

Standing in front of him, I realised that he was much taller than I had anticipated, forcing me to tilt my head up to meet his dark brown eyes.

"Saw anything you liked?" He took another sip of his whisky, cocky holding my gaze, waiting for a reaction.

"Did you?", I answered, my voice steady and calm.

A smiled spread across his face as he looks at the bar and put his drink down.

"I guess I did..." He takes a step closer, letting his muscular, tall frame take up my view. His scent is intoxicating and I can feel my heart starting to beat faster.

He slowly reaches out and stroke my arm with the back of his hand. The simple gesture makes goosebumps appear across my skin, and I bite my lip. He moves even closer, and leans in to whisper: "Your place or mine?"

His hush voice sends shivers down my spine. Never have I met someone that has ignited these kinds of feelings in me so fast. I can feel the desire burn within.

"Yours..." My voice is low, hardly more than a whisper. He grabs my hand and leads us towards the door.

When we step outside, there is a light rain that tenderly cool my skin. He looks up at the sky, tiny water drops clinging to his hair.

"It's only a few blocks. Walk with me?", he asks and I nod, his large hand warm in mine. He raises it slowly and kissed the back my hand while his burning eyes wander over my face.

"If I had only known..." His eyes seems to study every details of my face.

I look into his eyes and ask: "...known what?"

We start walking, swaying away from clubbers on their way in.

"...if I would have known I'd meet you tonight..." He is weighing his words, looking straight ahead, gently giving my hand a squeeze. "...I probably wouldn't have come..."

I look at him confused as we turn the corner. He opens the door for me and a fiery gaze meets mine.

"...because you clearly mean trouble, and trouble is the last thing I need right now..."

I move past him, intentionally pushing my body up against his in the narrow doorway, and move towards the elevator. "Which floor?"

He smirks, closing the door behind him. "Are you always this forward?"

I turn towards him, studying the light stubble across his chiseled jawline, and slowly lick my lips.

"No."

A completely honest answer. One that is making me realise just how out of character it is for me to stand in a stairwell together with a complete stranger. And somehow, I don't care. Because right now I need this, I need him.

*****

A/N
Enjoying the story so far?

Don't worry, you'll get to encounter more of the banter between Kiara, Jenna and Lukas later in the book.

For now this is your last warning; steam is about to happen! Clever women don't follow handsome rugged strangers home for anything less.

Thank you so much for reading YNK! If you are enjoying the story, please consider supporting it with a vote!