He squeezed hers. “It’s not my scene, but I like talking to you.”
He leaned closer to her, their lips so close.
She pulled away. Tequila. Tequila.
“So about the next type of tequila. This is joven. Yes, it’s young. It is blanco mixed with reposado. It’s a sipping tequila. Some cheaper tequilas will have additives and will present as joven or gold, but you wouldn’t want to sip them, or you’d have a headache.”
He laughed at her joke and took another sip. “That one is nice.”
“I like it. It’s a good blend and a gorgeous color.”
He raised his brow. “You’re gorgeous.”
Alma twirled her hair. She knew the look that he was giving her. He wanted her. He was going to make his move. And she didn’t have the willpower to say no.
And she didn’t want to say no. She wanted to say yes, yes, and oh, yes.
But they still had more tequilas to taste, and she was enjoying this foreplay. “Jaime. Pay attention. You begged me to do this.”
“I’m sorry. Go on.”
She downed another shot. She wasn’t drunk by any means;over the years she had built up her tolerance to alcohol. She was buzzed but she was in complete control of her actions and desires.
“And now, we have the añejo. To be an añejo, it has to be aged for at least one year, up to three. The shorter glass is so you can appreciate it with all the senses. This one can also be sipped or can be used like a whiskey in an old-fashioned. You will taste some vanilla and bourbon notes.”
He raised his glass to his lips. If she could be that glass. Gone was the boy she fell in love with, the one she hated, the one she’d cursed. Sitting across from her was a man. A mature man who was interested in her and her work.
“This is my favorite so far. I’ve never thought to substitute it for whiskey.”
“Most people haven’t. I love the sweet flavors in it. Okay, so next we have the extra añejo, which has been aged over three years. This one is rich and luxurious. It’s a bit bold. It does well in a Manhattan.”
He locked eyes with her and sipped. “Wow. That one is strong.”
“It is. It’s an acquired taste, but I love it.”
He brushed her face. “What else do you love?”
You.No. She had to love something else. “My dog. Tiburon. My life.”
“I love the life you built, too. I’m so proud of you, Alma.”
“Thanks.” Man, it was hot in here. “And our final tequila is the cristalino. It is white like a blanco, but it is actually an añejo or extra añejo that has been filtered with charcoal, which strips the color. You can sip this one pure or mix it. It’s kind of the best of both worlds.”
He lifted the glass to his mouth and drank. “Now this is myfavorite. I knew there were so many different types of tequila and had read about the differences, but it’s nothing like tasting them.”
“Yes, it’s so important to really try them. And tequila is just the beginning. Then we can get into mezcal.”
“I have a confession, Alma.”
She crossed her arms. “What?”
He stood up and stepped toward her. She didn’t step away. Then he came closer, and closer, challenging her.
Alma didn’t back away.
“I’ve been watching you all night, counting down the minutes until I could kiss you.”
Ay, this man.
