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Usually, that would be a mark in a man’s favour. Persistence and confidence were qualities Cassie admired. But she wasn’t in the mood to give someone an opportunity to interest her.
Layth hadn’t needed an opportunity.
He’d seen something he wanted – someone who wanted him – and he’d gone after her with single-minded obsession.
Her eyes drifted to the wall that he’d pinned her against and her heart skittered painfully in her chest. Her very breath seemed to burn her lungs.
She sipped her drink in an attempt to cool down. It didn’t help.
“Hi.” The blonde man said. “I’m Colin.”
Colin, ugh. Even his name was bland compared to Layth Sati.
Her smile was automatic. It didn’t glow with warmth, but it was at least polite.
“I’m Cassie.”
“I’d offer to buy you a drink, but you already have one,” he nudged an elbow towards the bar, effectively screening her from the man beside her.
Her tone was droll. “Your powers of observation are truly impressive.”
He laughed, and shook his head. She supposed it was sort of a charming gesture. “Come on, give me a break. I’m nervous.”
“You are?” She was just having a conversation. She didn’t have to go anywhere with him. She could chat to a guy and just have fun. “Tell me, why would you be nervous?”
“I just broke up with my fiancé. Actually,” his laugh was self-deprecating, “She dumped me.”
“I’m sorry,” Cassie murmured. She sipped her mojito again. It made a sound and she stared at the glass. It was empty. She replaced it on the bar and tried to catch Renee’s eye. He was down the other end, chatting to another woman Cassie recognised as a regular.
“So let me top your drink up to cheer myself up.”
“How would buying me a drink make you feel better?”
He leaned closer, so that he could whisper in her ear. His breath smelled of peanuts and whisky. “See those guys down there?” Her eyes drifted down the bar. “I work with them. They’ve brought me out to show me a good time, which in their books, means chatting to a woman like you.” He grinned. “If I crash and burn with you, they’ll keep me out all night. And what I really want is to have another drink then get home to my bed, book and cat.”
She burst out laughing, and shook her head. “That is just about the saddest story I’ve ever heard.”
“Does it buy me your company for a drink?”
She was still laughing. “Why not?”
One of the other bar staff moved their way and Colin ordered a scotch for himself and a mojito for Cassie. Scotch was the wrong drink though, because it instantly reminded her of Layth. As if she needed something so ordinary as the way a drink smelled to make her think of Layth.
Who was she kidding? She’d barely been able to stop thinking of him all week. Yes, she’d been busy as all hell, but he’d been there in the back of her mind. In her dreams, and in her blood.
“Why’d your fiancé dump you?”
“Geez, talk about going for the jugular.”
“You brought it up. Would you rather not speak about it?” Cassie’s lips were distracting as they formed a circlet around the straw.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. She said she didn’t love me anymore.”
Cassie winced in sympathy. “Brutal.”
“Yes.”
“Do you still love her?”
