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I turn to look, spotting Dane and a Hispanic-looking gentleman, who I assume is Luis, buzzing around behind the square bar, its center section containing a cabinet topped with open glass shelving stocked with an assortment of glasses and bottles. It's situated between the two entrances to the lounge—a frosted sliding glass door on each side. Luis says something to Dane, and he busts out laughing, the smile on his face adorable and reminiscent of the smiles he directed toward me during our cozy dinner in Budapest.
I'm still watching the activity at the bar when Andre approaches Dane and says something to him. Andre points to me, and Dane and I make eye contact. Neither of us moves for several seconds, then Dane gives me one of his dazzling smiles and returns to his tasks. I continue watching, irritatingly drawn to him. I wish I weren't, but I am, and I can't help it.
I feel a nudge at my rib cage and turn to see Iris giving me one of those looks that saysI know what you're thinking.
"Go talk to him. The way you're watching him, I know you want to. He seems like such a nice man. I'm sure whatever happened between you two, causing all this tension, can be worked out. Give it a shot. What do you have to lose?" she says.
What do I have to lose? How about my dignity and self-respect? The man lied to me. I have no idea who he is, and the only thing I know for sure is who he's not—the well-to-do and savvy owner of an international company. The man is a liar. It's as simple as that.
"No, thanks. I'll pass. There isn't anything I need to say to him. Besides, he's busy. He hasn't stopped moving since we got here."
"Suit yourself, dear." Iris pats my arm and turns away. She claps her hands in excitement a moment later when the pianist says he's going to sing a song by Dion.
I haven't a clue who that is.
Andre returns with our drinks and sets them on the table. I pick mine up and take a sip. My face instantly scrunches. The cocktail is potent.Fucking potent!I jerk my head toward the bar.
Dane is watching my every move, a grin plastered on his face.
The jerk did it on purpose.
I smile and hold up my glass, refusing to let him get the better of me. I take a sip and shudder as the rum goes down my throat.I can drink this. I can do it. I will do it. I take another sip and gasp as I close one eye, my mouth contorting as if I've sucked on a sour lemon.
"Are you all right, dear?" Iris's eyes widen, her voice edged with concern.
The others are staring at me.
"Uh-huh. I'm…fine," I sputter.
"You sure?"
"Yep, I'm sure."
Iris and the others go back to watching the pianist. I stare at my glass. I refuse to look at Dane. I don't have to. I can feel his amusement radiating from where he's standing.
An hour goes by, and I finish the last of my now watered-down drink. I want another, but I'm not about to put myself in the same situation by ordering from Andre again. I get up and march toward the bar, a pissed-off scowl on my face. Dane sees me, and his expression is priceless.
He's like a frightened lamb that's being stalked.
And I'm the wolf doing the stalking.
"Good evening," I say when I reach the bar, my voice deceptively sweet. "I'd like another hurricane, please. This time without tripling the rum. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get me drunk so you could take advantage of me." I cringe as soon as the words leave my mouth.
"Well…if you're offering…"
"I am doing no such thing! And you know why? It's because you're a liar. Aliar. Do you know how to spell liar? It's spelled D-A-N-E!"
Dane opens his mouth and then closes it.
"Oh, hell. Forget the drink. I'm going to my cabin." I hold my head high as I walk away. I will not let him get the better of me.
Chapter Nine
Brittany
We're in Vienna, our ship cruising the Danube during the night and docking a short distance from the Innere Stadt—the city's central district. The day is already a busy one. Those of us on the walking tour boarded a bus after breakfast for the drive to the city center. I was alone this time since Larry and the ladies chose to go to Schonbrunn Palace instead.
Two and a half hours after stepping off the bus, my group had walked along the Ringstrasse—the boulevard built on the site of the old city walls—viewing palaces, public buildings, and grand residences.
