Page 7 of Tempt
Granted, the shitty end of my shitty marriage had me in a pretty long dry spell, but yesterday I hadn’t even cared. It was like I’d forgotten what it was like to have such a powerful attraction to someone. To feel desire burning through me. Lately I’d been feeling like maybe those days were over—but sitting here next to her made me feel seventeen again.
“Okay, one more question,” she blurted, holding her hands up. “And then I promise I’ll leave you alone.”
“Shoot.”
“What made you come over and save me from that guy?”
A better question was why I’d waited as long as I had. I’d seen the way he was eyeing her, and my protective instincts had kicked in. I knew it was only a matter of time before he made his move. “I know his type.”
“But you don’t knowmytype.” Her voice was teasing. “What if jackasses in blue blazers are my thing?”
“Are they?”
“No.” She laughed and took another drink. “I was very happy when you grabbed my wrist.” A pause. “For many reasons.”
I guzzled some more whiskey.
“I mean, I’d noticed you sitting by yourself over there and...I don’t know. You intrigued me.”
That made me smile. “Yeah?”
“Yes. I couldn’t stop staring.”
“I noticed.”
She laughed again, covering her pink cheeks with her hands. “Was it really that obvious?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry about it. I’m someone who’s always aware of what people around me are doing.”
She picked up her drink and swirled what was left of her vodka in the glass. “That probably makes you really good at your job.”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “I’m good at my job too. But you know what?”
“What?”
She finished the martini and set the glass down on the bar. “I don’t want to talk about my job tonight.”
“Okay.”
“And we don’t have to talk about your job either.”
“Works for me.”
“But we have to talk aboutsomething.”
“We do?”
“Yes. I promised my sister I would get out of my comfort zone tonight and talk—no, flirt—with a handsome, mysterious stranger. Guess what?” She gave me an adorably tipsy smile and pointed at my shoulder. “That’s you.”
A chuckle rumbled in my chest. “Lucky me.”
“So how am I doing so far?”
“Oh, I’d say nine out of ten.”
“Nine out of ten!” She shrank back, as if she was offended. “What do I have to do to get the last point?”
