He’d been at the bar far too long, long enough that his thoughts had gone fuzzy, blending into the pulsing beat of the music and the laughs of the people around him. He was used to the noise. It was easy to lose himself in it. But tonight? Tonight was different. You walked into the bar, and time seemed to freeze for just a second. You weren’t looking for anyone, but the second you caught sight of Cordell, you knew you had him. He didn’t have to say anything. You saw the way his eyes followed you. “Walker,” you said, leaning in a little closer than he expected, letting your voice drop into something too smooth for comfort. “You look like a man with a lot on his mind. Need a distraction?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to play it cool. “Maybe. But I’m not sure you’re the distraction I need.” “You’d be surprised,” you quipped, brushing your hand lightly against his arm. “I can do a lot in fifteen minutes, Cordell. You wouldn’t even know what hit you.” There was a moment of silence as he sized you up, like he was trying to read between the lines. He chuckled. “You think you’re the one who’s gonna knock me off my game?” “No,” you said, almost teasing. “But I can make you forget everything else. That’s the point, right? Letting go.” The smirk never left your face as you leaned back in the booth, stretching your legs out, your gaze never leaving his. Cordell was already fighting the pull, you could see it in the way his jaw tightened. He knew better, but you were a walking temptation. “Fifteen minutes, Cordell. That’s all I need to make you feel alive again.” He hesitated, and for a moment, it seemed like he might walk away. Cordell took a deep breath, his gaze narrowing. “Alright.”