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“You okay, Cherry?”
“Cherry?” I managed to mutter, still dazzled by his pearly whites and baby blues. He was so put together and squeaky clean that he looked out of place in this dingy bar.
“I don’t know your name yet, and your dress has cherries on it, so I improvised.”
Looking down, I was amazed to find that there were indeed cherries on my dress. My brain had melted, and I could no longer process my environment.
“Huh, you’re right.”
Looking back up, I was hypnotized again by his smile and eyes. He was just so pretty!
“So, can I get you that drink? Or is your boyfriend returning soon?”
I knew it was a ploy, but I’d never had anyone use it on me before, so I giggled. I giggled like Shirley Temple and even covered my mouth. I was beginning to think they’d put alcohol in my drink or laced those pickles with something because I was acting crazy.
“Nope, no boyfriend. I had a date, but it looks like he stood me up. Unless you’re Tim? Though you don’t look like the picture, and if you are Tim, and you look likeyou, why would you lie about your appearance? Crap on a stick, I just blurted all that out, didn’t I?”
Turning back toward the bar, I tried to motion down Ricky, the bartender, but he was too busy flirting with Darla Sue. Shiitake mushrooms, I needed to get out of here! Deciding I knew the total, I pulled out some cash to leave on the bar when a hand stopped me.
“Has anyone ever told you how cute your accent is? Please, don’t leave on my account.”
His touch halted me, and I paused, thinking about how I felt with his hand there. There weren't a million butterflies fluttering inside me, but I didn’t hate his touch either. Perhaps, this could be a good thing. A test out the waters, so to say experiment. The thought grounded me, and I found myself relaxing. Shoving my wallet back into my purse, I turned and blasted him with my best southern smile.
“No, they haven’t, actually. I’m Lennox, in case you want to call me something other than Cherry.”
He smiled warmly at me, satisfaction ringing in his eyes that I’d stayed. Something about it felt weird, but I didn’t even care because he was so good-looking, my mind kept getting befuddled by it.
“I kind of like Cherry, but it’s nice to meet you, Lennox. I’m Thane.Now, can I buy you that drink?”
“Yes, I’d love that. It’s just lemonade, strawberry lemonade. I don’t drink alcohol. It doesn’t bother me if you do, though,” I started to ramble again. “It’s just not something I enjoy.”
Nodding, he waved down Ricky, who apparently thought Thane was a better reason to move away from flirting with Darla Sue than me. I gave Ricky the stink eye as he listened to Thane, ensuring he felt my rage at the slight.
“What can I get y’all?”
“I believe the lady is drinking strawberry lemonade, and I’ll take one as well. Seems they’re rathertasty.”
Thane grinned, turning to me, and I swear he licked his lips deliberately. Heat flushed up my neck at the gesture, and I had to hold my hand down not to wave it in front of my face to cool off. My death stare must’ve worked on Ricky because he filled our order the quickest I’d ever seen him. Those drinks were shaken and in front of us in record time.
“So, Lennox, tell me more about your adorable self?”
“Wow, okay, pulling out the big guns there, Thane. I don’t really do well on the spot, so FYI, you’ll probably get a mixed bag of crazy.”
He leaned forward, his hand brushed mine, and I instinctively pulled back, surprised by my movement, but then he spoke again, and I lost all thoughts.
“I can’t wait to unravel this bag you’re talking about.”
I swear the way he saidunravelhad me clenching my legs together. Thane was a smooth talker.
Our chairs naturally turned toward one another, his legs bracketing mine as the rest of the bar faded. We talked about nothing important, but somehow, it seemed like the best conversation I’d had in awhile. I’d never flirted so effortlessly before, and while I barely knew him, it seemed right to find myself pressed up against his Jeep a few hours later as he left me with a kiss.
His body pressed into mine, the hard planes of him rubbing against my nipples. Thane’s hands were in my hair, the carefully crafted braid no longer intact. Moaning into his mouth, I was tempted to jump in the front seat and take things further. The voice inside my head that tended to be more practical reminded me how much I liked the date and not to rush it. Slowing things down, I pulled back, our breath now mingling between us.
“I’m really glad I stopped in here tonight.”
“Me too,” I grinned.
“Can I see you again?”
