Layra's breathing hitched as he buckled her seatbelt, his fingers brushing against her stomach. The simple touch sent a jolt through her, and she had to stop herself from leaning into it.
"So, where to?" Shawn asked, getting into the driver's seat.
Layra gave him her address, her mind still reeling from their brief but intense eye contact.
The drive to her apartment was quiet, with only the sound of the engine filling the space between them.
Shawn found himself glancing at her every few seconds. Her hands were clasped in her lap, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. He could tell she was nervous, and that knowledge made him feel a strange sense of excitement.
"You're quiet, Layra. It feels like you've never had a man drive you home or something like that."
"Not really. I'm just feeling a bit tired from the shoot."
"I don't think so. When I first saw you, you had a different vibe. Confident, strong, and maybe a bit proud. But now, you look... different. Like a deer caught in headlights." Shawn reached out and gently took her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Tell me honestly, am I making you nervous?"
At the sudden contact, Layra flinched. His hand was warm and strong, and it made hers feel small and delicate in comparison. She tried to pull away, but he held on.
"Answer me." Shawn's voice was low, but it cut through the quiet car.
"Yes," she finally whispered, not meeting his eyes. "A little."
"Why?" Shawn tightened his grip slightly and brought her knuckles to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss there, making Layra hold her breath.
"Because..." Layra started, then stopped. She didn't know how to explain it. How could she tell him that the way he looked at her during the shoot made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time? That his gaze was more intimate than any camera lens? And the way he was touching her now... it was like he was testing her, seeing how far he could go.
Shawn didn't press her for an answer. Instead, he changed the subject. "Do you have a boyfriend, Layra?"
The question caught her off guard. "What? No. I don't."
"Interesting." A small smile played on Shawn's lips when she denied it. "You're a beautiful woman, Layra. Men must be lining up to date you. So how is it that you're single? Or perhaps you broke up with your boyfriend recently?"
His words made her cheeks flush. Layra had always been proud of her looks, and she knew she attracted attention. Still, she hadn't expected him to be so direct about it. And she certainly didn't expect the question to feel so... personal.
"I did have a boyfriend. Until a couple of months ago. Things didn't work out between us because of my modeling career and financial situation. He said I was too much of a handful." Layra looked down at their joined hands. "He couldn't handle it."
"A man who can't handle a beautiful and ambitious woman doesn't deserve you." Shawn let go of her hand and placed his on her thigh, just above the knee. His touch was firm and deliberate, leaving a trail of warmth on her skin. "If I were your boyfriend, I would support your career. I would be proud to show you off to the world. And have you in my bed every night, doing things that would make you scream."
"What… what are you talking about?" Layra stammered, her body tensing at his bold words and the possessive way he was touching her. But she didn't push his hand away. She couldn't. Her mind was screaming at her to stop him, to get out of the car, but her body refused to listen.
"Oh come on, Layra. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about." Shawn smirked, sliding his hand higher up her thigh. "Besides, I'm just being honest. Can you blame me for wanting you after watching your photoshoot? You were breathtaking."
He knew he was playing with fire. Gwen would kill him if she found out. Then there was his mother, Caroline. He had already crossed lines with her that he never thought he would. Adding Angela into the mix, especially after playing with her pussy too, only made things more complicated.
Yet, here he was, in the car with a beautiful woman he had just met, and he couldn't stop himself from wanting her.
"Please... stop." Layra finally found her voice, though it came out as a weak whisper. "You're taking this too far, Shawn. We just met."
"And?" Shawn challenged, his fingers now tracing the seam of her jeans. "Does it matter how long we've known each other? Sometimes, the best things in life are the ones that happen unexpectedly."
Before Layra could respond, they arrived at her apartment building. Shawn parked the car and turned off the engine, plunging them into silence.
"We're here," he said, removing his hand from her thigh. The sudden loss of contact made Layra feel unexpectedly empty.
"Right. I... thanks for the ride." Layra quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle, eager to escape the suffocating tension in the car.
But Shawn was faster. He got out of the car and came around to her side, opening the door before she could. "Let me help you inside. You shouldn't be walking on that ankle."
Without waiting for her answer, Shawn wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her out of the car, then guided her toward the building entrance.
Layra felt her resolve weaken with every step. Her mind told her to push him away, to end this encounter before it went any further, but her body betrayed her, leaning into his support and enjoying the feeling of his strong arm around her.
Soon, they were inside her small, one-bedroom apartment. The space was tidy but sparse, with minimal furniture and personal touches. A single couch faced a small TV, and a tiny kitchenette was tucked into one corner.
"Make yourself at home while I get the coffee," Layra suggested as she limped toward the kitchen, eager for a moment alone to gather her thoughts.