I can't Love You In The Dark

DANIEL'S POV

I leaned back in the restaurant booth, papers spread across the table, my pen tapping a rhythm. A week since that night, and her face still haunted me-those dark eyes, that curvy body grinding against me, the way she moaned when I ate her pussy.

Most girls my age would've stayed, begged for my number, my money or my name. But she bolted, leaving nothing but a smile and a maybe. Her age, her confidence, the way she owned herself made her different from the shallow girls I knew. She was real, mature, and she had set a fire in me that I'd called every club contact, scoured socials, even checked uber records. Nothing. She was a ghost, and it pissed me off as much as it turned me on.

"Dude, you're obsessed," Jake announced, shoving fries in his mouth across from me. His messy brown hair fell in his eyes, his grin cocky. "One chick runs out, and you're acting like she stole your dick."

I snorted, flipping a document. "She didn't run, she fucking sprinted." My voice was light, but my chest tightened, remembering her sad smile, like she was scared of what we'd done.

"Sounds like a pro move to keep you pussy whipped. Bet she's laughing about it." He leaned forward, smirking. "You're just mad she didn't fall for the billionaire bullshit."

"Fuck off." I tossed a napkin at him, but he wasn't wrong. Girls usually melted for my cash, my name, my charm. But her? She didn't give a shit, and that maturity, that realness had me hooked. Her curves, her moans, the way she wasn't chasing my world.

"She wasn't like that." I replied.

Jake raised a brow, chewing loud. "Sure, keep dreaming. You gonna sign those contracts or jerk off to your mystery cougar all day?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but a laugh cut through the restaurant-warm, familiar, hitting me like a shot. Her voice. I turned, scanning the crowded tables, and there she was, near the bar. She was talking to that blonde friend from the club. Her black hair fell straight, her jeans hugging her ass, her smile lighting up the room. My dick twitched, memories of her taste flooding back.

"Be right back," I muttered, standing, papers forgotten.

Jake chuckled. "Good luck, Romeo."

I made way through the tables, heart pounding, her voice pulling me like a magnet. She was mid-sentence, gesturing at her friend, when I stopped beside her.

"Hey, stranger"

She froze, eyes snapping to mine, wide and dark. Her friend grinned, sipping a drink, but I only saw her-lips parted, cheeks flushing, like she was reliving our night.

"Daniel!" She said, voice tigh

"Guess I'm lucky." I leaned against the bar, keeping it casual, though my blood ran hot. "Been looking for you."

Her friend choked on her drink, smirking. "Oh, this is good."

She shot her friend a glare, then faced me, arms crossed. "Why? Thought we were done?" Her tone was sharp, but her eyes flicked to my lips, betraying her.

I grinned, stepping closer. "You ran out before I could ask you to dinner." My voice dropped, teasing. "Figured I owed you a meal after...you know."

Her cheeks went red, and she looked away, fingers twisting her necklace. "That was a one-night thing, not supposed to mean anything." Her words were firm, but her voice shook, like she was fighting herself.

Her friend piped up, leaning forward. "Bullshit, Si. He's hot and he's here, this is fate I must say. Give him a shot."

"Lila, shut up," she snapped, but her lips twitched, a smile slipping through.

I caught her gaze, holding it. "Just a friendly date, no pressure. I wanna know you, not just fuck you." My words were blunt, but my tone softened, letting her see I meant it. I wanted her mind, her stories, that grown woman vibe that set her aside from other ladies.

She bit her lip, eyes searching mine, torn. I could almost hear her thoughts.

"Friendly, huh?" she said, voice skeptical, but the shoulders relaxed.

"Promised." I raised my hands, grinning. "Unless you beg for more.""Oh, you're good," Lila laughed.

She rolled her eyes, a spark in them. "Fine, One date. But don't get cocky." Her voice was tough, but her flush said she remembered how I worked her body.

"Deal." I pulled out my phone, handing it over. "Your number. And your name, since you owe me that."

She hesitated, then typed, her fingers quick. "Sienna." She handed it back, eyes daring me to push her.

"Sienna." I tested it, liking how it felt. "Tonight, seven. This restaurant. Let me earn it."

"Maybe." She replied. She turned to Lila, who was grinning like a child, and I walked back to Jake, my pulse still racing.

He clapped, slow, mocking. "Smooth, man. She's gonna eat you alive."

"Hope so," I muttered, smirking, but my mind was on her-her walls, her heat, the way she fought herself. I wanted to break through, not just her body, but to her.

That evening, I sat at the restaurant, a quiet corner table, my watch hitting seven-fifteen. The place was calm, candles flickering, jazz humming low. I'd picked it for her-classy, not too flashy, a spot to talk, to get that real side of her i craved. My fingers tapped the table, my phone blank beside me. No text, no call. I checked again, nothing. My gut twisted; she wasn't coming.

A message buzzed in, her name lighting the screen. My heart kicked up, but the words hit like a punch: HEY, SORRY, I CAN'T DO THIS. THE OTHER NIGHT WAS FUN, BUT IT'S DONE. TAKE CARE.

I stared at it, jaw tight, a mix of pissed and turned on. She was shutting me out, clean and cold, like she thought one text could erase what we'd done. Her maturity, her difference was what I wanted, not some young fling. She was worth the chase.

I leaned back, smirking to myself. "Game on, Sienna.," I muttered, pocketing my phone. She thought she could close the door but I'd work for it; earn her trust, her body, her heart. She'd see me again, and I'll make sure she doesn't run the next time.