Page 29 of Duty

The man across the bar flashed his teeth in a wickedly sinful smile, and let out a husky laugh that made her wet between her thighs from the sound alone. It rocked through her body, and touched every single one of her nerves.

Jesus fucking Christ.

The man was several feet away.

A bar separated them.

He wasn’t even touching her!

And he made her wet.

Yeah, this could be fun.

“I mean,” Haven continued, shrugging her dainty shoulders, “your way seems a hell of lot more fun than just telling you. The game ends once you know.”

Andino shoved his hands in his pockets, and rocked back on his heels a bit. He turned his head to the side, giving her a glorious view of his strong jaw, green eyes, and all the hard lines of his face. The man really was beautiful. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days what with the dusting of facial hair covering his jaw and cheeks. She bet that scruff would feel some kind of good between her thighs.

Wow.

She went right to that place fast.

The man had to be at least two-forty or even two-fifty in weight, if not more. And yet, he didn’t look bulky. Fit, strong, and dominating. She hadn’t noticed before, but he had a tiny cleft in his chin, and a dimple in his left cheek when his grin deepened just enough.

Yes, with his suit tailored to fit his large frame, and those looks of his, he was every woman’s walking wet dream come to life. Sex in the flesh, if there was such a thing. Tall, mysterious, handsome, and a whole lot of trouble.

Andino peered at Haven through the corner of his eyes, and she swore she could feel the wheels in his head turning. “So, is that what this is, then? Have you decided?”

She cocked her head to the side a bit. “You’re going to have to be clearer.”

“This,” he said, gesturing between them, “you and me, and whatever this little chase is I seem to be doing with you. You’ve decided it’s a game, then?”

Haven wet her lips, and smiled. “I didn’t know you were chasing me, Andino.”

“Me either … until now. You know, though, so tell me.” He edged closer to the bar, and pressed his hands to the top. Leaning a little over the counter, he came close enough that she could smell the cologne he wore—a strong, distinct musk that made her think leather, smoke, and man all rolled into one. Somehow, Haven had moved to creep a little over the bar, too. Both of them were close enough that all she could see was his handsome features, and the darker green flecks inside the lighter greens of his eyes. “Is it a game you want to play?”

“Is there going to be a winner?”

Andino laughed, nodded, and slapped the bar before pushing away. “You bet your pretty ass, donna. There will most certainly be a winner.”

He gave her a wink, and just like that, turned away from the bar. Haven thought to ask where in the hell he was going after that show he just put on, but one of the girls serving people came up with a new order at the same time.

Damn.

Why were people and things always getting in the way with Andino?

And why did she care?

Well, Haven didn’t need someone to answer that question. She knew exactly why she cared—the man himself was the answer, and the way he was still looking at her with that intense gaze even as he settled at a table near the entrance. He didn’t watch the girls on stage, and he didn’t even look at the server when she came up to take his drink order.

No, he just watched Haven.

Somehow, Haven managed to get back to work even feeling like her fucking skin was tingling because she just knew Andino was still staring at her. She didn’t know how long it was before the tingling stopped.

But when she looked for him again, he was gone.

Well, then …

Who won that round?