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“If people look at you and assume that, then I have to assume they’re not really looking.”
“A lot of people are pretty judgmental about tattoos.”
“That’s true, and I agree, but that’s not even what I meant.”
“Explain.”
Cass leaned back and scooted around on his barstool. Marlowe chuckled and nodded at the table nearest them.
“We could sit at a table.”
Ignoring her suggestion, he narrowed his eyes and started speaking. “First of all, the first thing I noticed about you is your eyes.”
“Really?” She said it as a challenge.
“Really. You have very pretty eyes.” He nodded. “And I’m not knowledgeable about makeup, but you wear it well.”
His compliment was a sharp little arrow in her heart. Marlowe grinned and mumbled thanks.
“Then again, maybe I noticed your hair first.”
“You know what most people assume when they see my spiky haircut?”
“People who assume things make asses of themselves.”
Marlowe laughed, nodding as she took a drink. “You’re right. Continue.”
Cass tapped her bottle with his glass. “It made me think of a fairy. A pixie. And yet, you’re tall.”
Marlowe rolled her eyes. “And should play—”
“Like a goddess.”
She might have laughed, uncomfortable with his word choice, except for the fact that she’d had the same thought about him earlier. He had the face of some mythic god.
“And.” He smiled and drew out the word and his pause.
“What?”
“Your hair accentuates your cheekbones. And your eyes.”
“You’re pretty good at this.” She arched her eyebrows. “Are you always this flirty?”
“Actually, no. I’m not.” He shrugged. “And I’m not flirting now. I’m just telling you what I saw first when I looked at you. And, when I did look at your tattoos, my first thought was wow, she’s into books.”
Marlowe held her breath for a second and finally let it out in a rush. “You know you’re the only person who’s ever noticed that without me pointing it out.”
“Really?”
“Other than my son, as he got old enough to see them and understand them.”
“I think that these quotes,” he skimmed his fingers over her bare arm again, but damned if Marlowe didn’t feel his touch everywhere at once. “Meant something to you, and you inked them on your skin to keep them with you. Make them part of you.”
She stared at him silently for a moment.
“Am I right?” he asked. “Half right?”
She laughed softly and took her time to answer him. “Yes and no.”
