Page 22 of Kiss and Tell

It was exactly the kind of comment I should have expected from Connor. He flirted with me and made eyes at me as if he couldn’t help himself. He was a player. That was just the kind of guy he was.

It was a good reminder. I wasn’t going to let Connor charm me into letting my guard down. This was a professional relationship and nothing more.

But that didn’t stop me from feeling the phantom touch of his arms around me every evening for the next week as I fell to sleep.

Seven

“I didn’t want gimmicks.”

Connor stared up at the sign on the front of the building that saidHemingway’swith a skeptical eye.

“Isn’t this one of those literary-themed bars?” he continued.

“Yes, but they’ve got a great decor,” I said. “Kind of homey in a way. Lots of comfy seating, like a living room. I thought we might as well check it out.”

It hadn’t been hard to come up with a list of bars, restaurants and cafes. This place was first on my list specifically because of its decor. Connor wanted a place that felt like home. A bar with soft leather sofas and chairs for seating and a roaring fireplace seemed apt.

The walls were also lined with shelves of books. It might have looked like a library, if it weren’t that every single book was leather-bound and ancient-looking. I wouldn’t have wanted to risk taking one down, for fear it would fall apart in my hands.

Instead of taking a seat on one of the comfy chairs, Connor went straight to the bar. The bartender wasn’t swamped so he gave Connor his full attention. He wore a white dress shirt and a grey vest with a pocket watch, looking like he’d stepped out of the nineteen-twenties.

“What’s your best drink?” Connor asked the guy.

“We have a lot of great drinks, depending on your taste.” The bartender stood straight-backed and oddly formal.

“Give me your favorite cocktail with whiskey,” Connor replied, narrowing it down. He turned to me. “Soda, I assume?”

“I’ll go for a Seven and Seven,” I told the bartender, who took off to make the drinks.

Connor raised an eyebrow at me.

“I thought you were all about business?” A sly smile spread along his lips. “Are you planning on mixing business with pleasure tonight?” He took a step closer and leaned down to murmur into my ear. “I’d be more than happy to help with that.”

I had no doubt he would. I pressed my lips together and forced down the flush rising to my cheeks.

“I told you, part of this excursion is to check out drinks, too,” I replied.

Truthfully, I’d had a long week and I wanted to unwind. Peter had been on my case and I needed to let off some steam before I snapped and strangled the man. I didn’t have any spare time outside of work, so I supposed mixing business with pleasure was exactly what I’d have to do.

I didn’t want to explain that to Connor, though. He’d already shown interest in my work situation. I didn’t want him prying any further. Using this job as an excuse was good enough. Besides, it wasn’t exactly untrue. Part of the business was deciding what kind of drinks to serve and checking out what other bars were offering their customers.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a single drink,” I continued.

“Didn’t you say we’re bar-hopping tonight?” he said. “If you get a drink at each place you’ll be hammered before the end of the night.”

“I can hold my own.”

“So you’ve said.” Connor put a hand on my hip, just the briefest touch, but it sent licks of flames straight into my stomach. “Don’t worry,” he continued. “I’ll watch out for you.”

“Thanks for your concern, but I’ll be fine.”

I edged away, putting space between us, even as disappointment welled in my chest at the loss of his touch.

Connor didn’t look fazed. He braced himself against the bar counter and surveyed the room.

“This place is busy enough,” he said. “Not too packed, though. They’ve got a good layout with their furniture. Doesn’t make me feel claustrophobic.”

“Is that a worry?” I asked. “Are you claustrophobic?”