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James by the wrist and tugged him toward the dim hallway behind the opposite end of the bar. Calling the cops would be an exercise in futility. Over half the force was corrupt and more than happy to look the other way when Tony padded their pockets. Signaling the bouncers was sure to cause a scene. No. She needed to get him out of sight and out of the club before Tony laid eyes on him, or she was sure to get in trouble.
    “C’mon, Jimmy. Let’s go.”
    The back exit lay at the end of the long hallway at the rear end of the club. James generally sported two levels of drunkenness. He’d start out loud and horny, and end up mean and aggressive. He hadn’t made it to the angry stage yet, so she was banking on his randy, impaired state to play in her favor. The plan was to lure him into the darkened hallway and out the back exit under the pretense of a little hanky-panky. Once outside the exit, he wouldn’t be able to get back in. Problem solved.
    Of course, she had no intention, let alone desire, to get up close and personal with her douchebag ex, but he didn’t know that. And what he didn’t know would certainly play in her favor.
    Her plan would have worked had it not been for the open door leading into Salon #1. The soft, muted light and heady incense wafting from the empty room proved too much of a temptation for her horny ex. Before she knew what was happening, he’d wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into the dimly lit room, shutting the door behind him.
    “James! Let go of me. Now!” she shouted, struggling to free herself from his steely grip. With considerable effort, she was able to peel his fingers from her waist and scrambled toward the center of the room, the velvet chair directly behind her.
    Thick, red fabric draped across all four walls of the small room, soft incandescent light from an aging chandelier casting a muted glow over the space.
    James stalked forward, eyes heavy-lidded. “Don’t be like that, baby.” A hungry smile inched across his face, desire darkening his eyes as he inclined his chin toward her. “You, uh…and me…we had some good times together.”
    He leaned forward, his warm, beer-scented breath wafting across her face as he bore down on her. With his large frame blocking any and all attempts to escape, she fell backward into the plush-covered chair. A ripple of unease coursed through her as James gripped the arms of the chair and moved in close, his face mere centimeters from her own.
    “What say you and I forget about all the bullshit for one night, huh?”
    Before she could move, he grasped the back of her head. He leaned forward and grazed the length of her neck with his tongue, then buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. “Fuck, you smell good. Like lemons…and sunshine.” He dragged his calloused hand down her shoulder, his knuckles brushing against the side of her breast.
    Her stomach rolled.
    “Let me in, baby. For old times sake. Yeah?”
    Disgusted with herself for allowing James the opportunity to not only corner her, but paw her as well, she pushed against his chest with all her strength and launched herself up from the chair.
    “Stop it, Jimmy. No! You and I are through. You know that.” A combination of anger, fear and disappointment tore at her chest. Her plan to lure her ex out the back of the club had failed miserably. It was time to cut her losses, even at the risk of fueling his anger.
    Eager to be away from him, she darted across the darkened space with him hot on her heels. She gripped the doorknob, his warm breath burning across the back of her neck as she began to open the door. “You need to go home, James. Please. Please don’t make me get the bouncer.”
    The door slammed shut, James’ large hand braced against the painted wood, holding it closed. His other hand wound around her waist, pulling her against his chest. “Sorry, baby. You’re not going anywhere. You and I have some unfinished business.” He whirled them