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“Lemon drop, please.” This drink usually cheers me up after a long day, but I have a feeling I’ll still feel like sobbing after I drink it tonight.
I watch the activity behind the bar, drinks being prepared before gliding to a stop on the glossy wood in front of customers, one after the other. The distraction eases some of the tension in my shoulders.
Someone sits down next to me and for the first time, I wish it was a little less crowded in here. The guy’s either large or he’s doing a full-on manspread on his barstool. I look over to see which it is just as his head turns toward me.
Wow.Okay, that jolted a little energy into me. Not the kind of beautiful specimen I’m used to seeing in Landmark, where the only single men are my brothers, tourists, and my exes Danny and Regg.
His full lips part into a grin, faltering only slightly when I don’t return it. He doesn’t turn away from me as the bartender asks what he’s having.
“A Manhattan, please.” And then he surprises me by saying, “Why the sad eyes?”
I sigh, and when my drink is placed in front of me, I take a leisurely sip, enjoying the perfect blend of sour and sweet.
“It’s been an awful day,” I say softly.
His lower lip pokes out slightly as he tilts his head, his eyes thoughtful. “I’m sorry to hear that. Would you like to tell me about it?”
I shake my head, trying to place his accent. He’s definitely not from Colorado. When he sayshear, it’s with a very softr.
“No, I really wouldn’t…but how about you tell me something good.”
He smiles again and it seems to come so easy to him. His eyes light up, crinkling at the edges, and he turns to face me, his knees brushing against mine. I feel slightly winded from the contact.
“Something good, huh?” he asks, his thumb brushing across his lower lip.
I nod, taking another long sip of my drink. His Manhattan is placed in front of him, but he doesn’t seem to notice it.
“Well, I’m almost sorry to tell you that I’ve had one of the best days I’ve had in a long time…and then I come back to my hotel and end up next to you, so from where I’m sitting, there isonlygood.”
“Smooth,” I say, smirking. “And how often do you pick up women in hotel bars?”
He lifts his drink to his lips and I’m envious of the curve of the glass against his mouth. He leans in slightly, his eyes leaving mine briefly to glance down at my mouth.
“Never. I prefer to let a woman walk on her own two feet.” His voice is low and husky and I find myself squeezing my thighs together as I lean in to hear him better.
My lips pucker to keep from laughing. “Well, that’s a shame.“
I didn’t know I was capable of the sexy voice that just came out of me, but in the past thirty seconds, I’ve realized this is exactly what I needed to get through this day…an unexpected flirtation with the hottest stranger I’ve ever seen.
“Youliketo be picked up then,” he says, his white teeth shining as his smile grows. His eyes gleam with the candlelight and maybe lust. It’s intoxicating. “Do you prefer bridal style or legs wrapped around a waist?”
I gasp, my mouth parting at the visual he’s just imparted. I’ve had a dry spell, okay?
It’s been over a year since I had sex with Reggie and that was so lackluster it may as well have not even happened. I’ve never contemplated a one-night stand before this moment, but I am so tired of doing everything right. Tired of staying in the lines and following the rules and checking things off, working night and day to please everyone all the time…
That hasn’t worked out so well for me.
And I’ve never had a guy carry me, period, so I can’t be sure, but…
“Definitely legs wrapped around a waist,” I hear myself saying.
His tongue dips out over his lower lip and I watch it like it’s porn close-up and personal, for my very own viewing pleasure.
“Noted,” he says, his voice hoarse now.
He picks up his drink like it’s an afterthought and takes a long swallow as I watch his neck, mesmerized, then follow his hand to the tie that he loosens after he sets his glass down, all while sneaking glances at the expensive suit he fills out perfectly.
“You’re not from around here,” I say quietly.
