Page 18 of Rough Choice

He was tall, almost painfully by the way she usually needed to crane her neck to see him, and definitely taller than Kye. His skin was permanently tan just based on his complexion and his shorter curly hair was always slicked back into nice waves. Although she’d spent more time on the wrong end of a glare than she appreciated, she had to admit, he had the most incredible green eyes. There were times when they were dark like the ocean and then others, most often when he was driving and staring off into the horizon, that they were a pale and ethereal green.

So when he entered her room via the adjoining door dressed in a white v-neck, dark denim jeans, and boots, she felt the blush creep over her face. Though she’d tried to cover her eyes quickly, she’d still gotten an excellent view of his toned chest and torso when he’d ripped his dirty shirt off.

“You look nice,” she complimented and went back to applying her makeup.

“Thanks,” he replied and flopped on her bed, legs crossed in that easy manner while he waited for her. A minute later Eliana stepped out of the bathroom in a pink maxi dress and flip flops. Her hair was curled and she wore her nicest necklace. “Great, let’s go,” he said, standing.

“Wait,” she beckoned, “aren’t you going to tell me I look nice too?” She firmly planted her hands on hips. His eyes shifted as though she’d asked some ridiculous question like ‘how many licks does it take to get to the center of the moon?’

“Hadn’t planned on it, no,” he replied sincerely.

“What a gentleman,” she said sarcastically and grabbed her purse. Grier made an exaggerated display of opening the door and bowed low as he gestured for her to leave first.

“My lady,” he said in a drooling voice. Eliana rolled her eyes this time and stepped outside. She waited for him to lock their doors before they made their way into town.

Though it was still blisteringly hot considering it was nearly dark, there was a nice steakhouse not too far from the motel that they decided to dine at. The decor was dated, but the food was amazing. Grier opted for the porterhouse and Eliana got the New York strip, and they each had a glass of wine and a side of baked potatoes.

“See?” Eliana asked when they’d settled the bill and were heading back outside, “that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Her knowing look made Grier chuckle.

“No, it wasn’t,” he replied and turned to head back to the motel.

“Uh-uh,” she said, grabbing his arm. “You paid for dinner, I’m buying drinks,” she said, dragging him the opposite direction.

“That wasn’t part of the deal,” he complained as she forced him to fall in step with her.

“Come on, there is a bar and pool hall just down the road. I can hear the music from the patio. Let me kick your ass in pool a couple of times, and I’ll pay for your drinks,” she offered. Though he looked displeased at first, at the mention of drinks he seemed to brighten.

“You’re crazy if you think you’re going to beat me in pool,” he goaded, and Eliana smiled as she linked her arm through his.

“Since I’m going to get you fairly soused tonight, I think it’s possible,” she responded with a laugh.

“I don’t think you brought enough cash with you to get me drunk,” he stated as they finally reached the bar. Sure enough, a loud but not very talented band was playing watered down karaoke music on the patio, and just inside there were four pool tables, three of which were not currently being used.

Grier went to get quarters while Eliana bought a pitcher of beer and brought over two glasses. “You have to break,” she said, pouring the amber liquid into their cups and starting in on hers.

“What are we betting?” he asked as he racked the balls.

“Cash is too boring,” she said, playing along with his game. “How about, a fact for every ball. You sink one I’ll answer a question, I sink one you have to answer a question?”

“What if I don’t want to ask you any questions,” he said dryly, and Eliana dropped her chin and narrowed her eyes.

“Fine, how about every ball is ten minutes I have to be quiet on the road tomorrow?” she offered.

“Done, and you have to take a drink,” he said, pointing.

“Deal,” she agreed. It had been many years since she drank to the point of getting drunk, but she wasn’t going to waste the night of Grier’s good mood on being prudish. Grier lifted the triangle and brandished his pool cue. With a hard crack, he broke, and immediately two striped balls dropped into pockets.

“Drink!” he ordered, and Eliana sighed. Taking two large swigs, she eyed the half-empty pitcher.

“My turn,” she said, hopping up. Always being a geometry whiz, pool wasn’t too hard to master and on her first try, she sank a solid in the side pocket.

“Fuck,” Grier muttered.

“Okay,” she said, turning to him, “you seem like a relatively decent guy… how come you don’t have a girl of your own?”

“Easy,” he said after downing a mouthful of his own drink, “don’t want one.” Eliana wasn’t satisfied with the answer, but she accepted it. Her second shot missed, and when Grier was up, he sank another ball.

Sighing, she swigged the last of her beer and had to pour another one. The pitcher was already almost empty. They were going to need more beer.