AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He gives that low laugh again. For the life of me, I can’t figure this guy out, and I don’t know why I’m intrigued by him.
“White wine also means you’re curious, sarcastic, and a perfectionist,” he adds. “After tonight, I think I’ll add headstrong.”
He’s not wrong in that assessment. “What’s that in your glass?”
“Bourbon.”
“I bet that makes you serious and pensive. A fortress of steel as you assess those around you with a cautious attitude.”
His brows crease as he drinks. His tongue darts out to lick his lips. “I like the burn. You should try it. It’ll bring you back down to reality.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Aren’t you a little old to be daydreaming about happily ever afters?”
I should storm off and leave this broody jerk alone in the dark. That’s what any sane woman would do. As we all know, I’m not a typical woman. Instead of walking away, I get in his face.
“I’m not ashamed to be a grown woman who daydreams. It’s called being hopeful and imaginative. I’m also a great conversationalist and hardworking, and people love spending time with me, yet every time I walk into a room, you walk the other way. And now that you are speaking to me, everything is rude and condescending. You don’t even know me, and I demand to know why you’ve decided to act the way you do around me.”
Stroking his chin, he regards me carefully. There’s a pensive shimmer in the shadow of his eyes.
“I was told you’re on the hunt for a man. I didn’t want to give you any false impressions.”
My hand flies to the top of my head as I stomp on the ground. “I am really fucking tired of this false narrative going around that I’m some floozy who will throw herself at any man because I’m looking for love. When did the message go out that I was desperate? Just because a woman is actively and openly trying to find someone to spend the rest of her life with doesn’t mean she’s easy. It doesn’t mean you have to run away from her because you think she’ll attack you. It doesn’t mean she wants to sleep with every Todd, Dick, and Kyle just because they’re single too. And it most certainly doesn’t mean you can go up to her and proposition her for a threesome at her best friend’s wedding. It doesn’t mean she’s a whore!”
Rob takes a purposeful step forward. “Wait, wait, wait. I did not say that.” He closes the gap between us in two more steps. There’s a tightness to his jaw, and his eyes darken. His voice is stern. “Did someone hurt you tonight?”
“Not the point. It’s fine. It’s no big deal.”
“You’re right. It’s not a big deal. It’s a huge fucking problem. Who was it?”
“Calm down there, Hercules. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself, and I did with a swift knee to the groin. I’m fine. Don’t repeat that story to anyone. It’s embarrassing enough, and I don’t feel like rehashing the reason why I kicked some douche in the balls.”
“He doesn’t need his reputation protected.”
“Yeah, but mine does. I’ve fooled around quite a bit. It’s the happenstance of dating for twenty years. A man would get a high five. A woman gets labeled easy and loose. For the record, there is nothing loose about me. I’m perfectly tight.”
I down my pinot and then hand him my empty wineglass. He takes it and then looks shocked as I grab his lowball out of his hand and drink that as well. The amber liquid is harsh and stings as it slides down my throat.
I start to cough.
“Wow, that does burn.” I hand him his glass and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “Why does anyone like drinking bourbon? Cruel and unusual punishment. It’s like smoking cigars. No one could like either of the two. They just do it because people tell them it’s the sophisticated thing to do, yet all they do is hit your larynx and make it impossible to breathe.”
He places the empty glasses on a nearby rock. When he turns back, he has an almost-amused look on his face. “Did it help?”
“Kind of.”
I stumble slightly. Rob moves swiftly and catches me by the small of my back. His hand is warm against the satin of my dress, and I move toward his chest so as not to fall backward. My hands grip the lapel of his jacket and then claw at his back. It’s enough for me to feel the hardness beneath the suit. This man is not just steel emotionally, but physically as well.
“Can you be trusted not to fall to the ground? That’s twice in one night I’ve had to catch you.”
I look up at him and instantly become mesmerized by the magnetism of his stare—an intensity that burns stronger than the bourbon I can still feel in my chest. It’s not just his eyes. It’s his mouth, jaw, and the commanding stance he gives with his entire body. His full lips part as his chest rises with a quick inhale. There’s no mistaking the musky smell of him as he presses against me.
My imagination would love to say this is a romantic scenario.
I’m smart enough to know this is far from it.
This man has been avoiding me for a year because the thought of being with me is repulsive.
