Chapter 2
KATE
My dusty-pink dress is way too short. I’m average height, five foot five, but Mel is nearly a dwarf. She purchases all her clothes in the petite section.
“Can you see my ass cheeks when I walk?” I shuffle ahead of her in the nude heels, so she can check.
“No. Not at all.”
I’m ninety percent sure she’s lying. “What’s this new place we’re going to?”
“Divine Taste. You’re going to love it! It’s, like, all these rich-prick types. I go with Shay because she’s trying to find a sugar daddy for the summer.” Shay is Mel’s friend. I’ve only met her a few times, but she seems to be a few crayons short of a full box.
I’m not sure why Mel thinks I’ll love this place. I’ve never even dated a guy with a career, just one with unrealistic dreams of living off of me and Maddie for the rest of eternity.
“Your blonde looks hella amazing. I am so damn good.” She beams at me.
Having a best friend who is a hairstylist has its perks.
“I need a touch-up in a few weeks, but I’m thinking of cutting it.”
She nods. “You look good with long or short. Ah! Here it is. The bartender is so yummy.”
“I thought we were here for the rich pricks?”
As if to confirm my words, we walk right past a fancy black sports car with red rims. I don’t know anything about cars, but I know that one costs a pretty penny.
“I said, that’s why Shay comes. I make my own damn money.” She winks at me, adjusting her black dress so that the neckline showcases her well-endowed rack.
“You are blessed, my friend. Drive him wild,” I tell her as we walk through the door.
The interior has just enough light to reveal the slick suits and sleek dresses on flawless, toned bodies. It’s busy but not overly crowded. I don’t notice anyone in particular.
Mel and I settle at the bar. The bartender is absolutely delicious. Tattoos and a blonde man bun suit him well. He’s exactly Mel’s type. She leans toward him.
“Hey, sugar. What can you dream up for me?”
She’s bold in the absolute best way. I’m inspired simply by being in her presence.
He grins, eyes dipping down for a fleeting moment over her low-cut top.
“I’ve got something really special you’re gonna like, sweetheart.” He winks at her.
I can’t place his accent, but it’s distinctly foreign. He turns away to make our drinks.
“Wowza,” Mel whispers, leaning toward me. “Isn’t he yum?”
I nod. “He looks like your type.”
I survey the rest of the crowd.
Do I really want to hook up with someone random tonight for the first time ever?
I’m about to turn back to the bartender to ask for a drink to quell my nerves.
Then, I see him. He’s over in the corner booth, lounging back against the scarlet leather like he might actually own this place.
He’s got inky-black hair with perfect tousled waves, like he just ran a hand through it.
His jawline could have been sculpted by Michelangelo himself.
His dark suit with a deep red silk tie has been loosened at the neck, and I want to run my fingers over the stingy inch of his chest exposed.
And he’s staring right at me.
My lungs stop bringing me life-giving oxygen as his eyes scrape over me from head to toe. I’ll surely suffocate if I can’t focus on the task, so I jerk my gaze away.
That one. That one, is all I can think, over and over.
If I go anywhere with anyone tonight, it’s gotta be that man.
“See anyone we like?” Mel asks, sipping on the fuchsia drink Man Bun set in front of us.
I shrug, debating on whether or not I should risk another peek over to the gorgeous mystery man in the corner.
Mel gasps. “Oh my gosh, do you see that grumpy Henry Cavill look-a-like in the back booth?” She latches on to my elbow, her voice lit with excitement. “He is the most beautiful human I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I follow her gaze back over to him.
His eyes have left me, and I feel bereft. He’s now looking at the man standing in front of him, who is excitedly gesturing with his hands. The sexy one sitting down is clearly bored with the speaker.
Go give him something to do.
Yikes, this drink is strong.
His eyes look like the type that could freeze you in place with their intensity.
“You have to go for him! You have nothing to lose.” Mel’s nails are cutting into my arm.
My friend is the type to jump first and hope the parachute is hooked up correctly. I realized long ago that I am the self-preserving companion she needs.
I scoff, taking a sip of my liquid courage as I face back forward. “Nothing to lose but my dignity.”
Mel turns back to me, a spark in her dark eyes.
“Okay, missy, I will not hear this. You are hot, and thanks to me, your hair is the perfect shade of sunshine blonde. You need to forget your troubles from this morning, and that is the man to wipe away any despicable memory of Stephen.” She spits his name out at the end of her pep talk.
I down my drink, signaling the bartender. He obliges immediately. Smooth jazz music pours over us from a little band tucked away in the corner. Before I know it, the second glass is empty too.
Mel is chatting away with the flirtatious barkeep, who serves me a refill with a handsome smirk on his face.
I’m nodding along as she describes to him my unfortunate day and the fact that I’m here to forget about my résumé circulating the web as we speak.
My mind wanders to a wild scenario of the man in the booth actually approaching me.
Another look toward the corner reveals the suit leaning forward, a stern expression on his face as he delivers what seems to be a reprimand to the speaker across from him. In my mind, he’s telling me what piece of furniture to bend over on.
Wow, intrusive thoughts much? What the hell is in this drink?
Before long, I start to get that fuzzy, heavy feeling in my limbs. Man Bun is refilling my drink for the fourth time, and I’m a bit of a lightweight.
“You ready to make that man remember your name?” Mel questions, her fingers tugging on my hand to bring me to a standing position.
I sway slightly before steadying myself.
“What do I say?” I whisper.
“To start, just ask him what his name is.” She looks into my eyes for a second. “Are you too drunk? Do you want to do this?”
I look over at the suit, and his eyes catch mine again. My mouth parts slightly as his gaze drips slowly over my body, all the way down to my pink-polished toes.
I blush and look away.
“Yes. I wanna do it. I’m fine.” Liquid courage is coursing through my veins and finding its way to my mouth.
I’m sort of not fine, but depending on when that last drink starts to take effect, I will have just enough in me to go through with this. If I tell Mel I’m intoxicated, she’ll say it’s not a good idea, and looking at him, I know it’s going to be a very good idea.
“What’s your name? Hi, I’m Kate.” I practice quietly to myself.
Mel laughs. “Stop. You’re going to be fine.”
She starts to lead me over to the booth at the back, weaving through the tables and patrons spread around. It’s getting late, and most of them seem to have had too much to drink at this point.
We finally make it through, and I feel a sudden urge to turn and run. I pull back on Mel’s hand.
“I uh, I have no idea what to say.” My voice sounds foreign in my ears.
She faces me. “Listen to me. You’re a hot commodity in this bar. Every set of eyes has been trained on your ass as we walk through. This guy is just another one of those losers wanting the opportunity to nail you. You. Got. This.”
It’s like she’s sending me waves of strength and confidence through her fingertips clutching my forearm because the pep talk does it. I nod, and we continue on.
His eyes are unbelievable from here—a light-green color I’ve never seen before. He watches me as I approach, his heated gaze shamelessly traveling down over my body. A man like him isn’t afraid to let it be known that he’s looking. His veiny hand is resting across the back of the booth.
In a moment of insanity, I sit right next to him.
The fourth drink has hit me like a train at full speed. His face doesn’t show a hint of surprise.
“What’s your name?” I ask in my best sultry voice.
A muscle tics in his jaw, and I notice a hint of dark stubble. Someone else possesses my body, and my fingers reach out to feel the silky lapel of his suit coat.
Money, money.
His eyes dip down to watch the movement, dark lashes fanning over his high cheekbones.
“What’s yours?” he asks, meeting my gaze again.
His voice is incredibly deep, almost to the point that it sounds unnatural. I’ve never heard a sound so sexy in my entire life.
“I asked you first.” I’m taking on the bold attitude of my friend.
Fancy Pants’s mouth twitches slightly, and his eyes hold mine.
“Why do you want to know?” His deep baritone rolls over me, causing goose bumps to prickle my skin.
“I intend to scream it into a pillow later.” My hand claps over my mouth as my eyes widen at the statement I just made.
Something has definitely possessed me. Is this bartender a warlock, casting spells on his unsuspecting patrons?
His lips tilt up in a grin, and I’m nearly blinded by the beauty that this man holds in such a simple human act.
“If I had to guess, I’d say, you’re new at this.” He takes a sip from the amber liquid in his short glass, eyes never leaving mine.
Get it together, Kate! I look away to regain my composure, schooling my features to try and look a little bored, like I’ve seen those exotic, skinny girls do.
Model face, model pose.
My leg crosses over my knee, and I pout my lips out before I look back over at him.
“New at what?” I tilt my head to the side.
He smiles with just his lips again for a brief moment before he motions the waitress over with his grumpy face back on.
“Water with lemon,” he instructs.
She nods, scurrying away.
“So, do you have any pets?” Wow, Kate, what a dumb question to ask a big shot in a bar . . .
He bites his lip as he looks down, and I really wish it were me doing it instead.