Page 36 of Lost Lyrebird

“Hiding it like a pro.”I gesture to the liquor behind me.“Can I get you something?”

She grins widely.“Sure, why not?”

Leaning down on my elbow, I close some of the distance between us.“What’ll it be?”

She clasps her hands together, holding them to her mouth as she thinks it over.“Hmm, so many options.”

Fuck.The way she hums goes straight to my cock.

“How about you surprise me.Something original, but with a classic twist.”

I’m curious as hell about her.Every detail she reveals feels like a little gold nugget, worthy of collecting and hoarding.I was hoping she’d give me something, but it looks like I’m going to have to learn the hard way.

“Anything you don’t particularly like?”

“Anything but tequila.Very bad things happen on tequila nights, and I can’t be held responsible.So, for the sake of my ability to stay employed and pay bills, promise never to give me tequila.”

I stifle the grin building at the edge of my mouth and nod.“You got it.”Secretly, I love that she gives me boundaries but opens the door for me to have fun with it and show her a little of myself in return.It tells me two things—she’s willing to give me a small dose of her trust, and she doesn’t mind letting someone else take control.

She’s independent and fierce, but also soft and pliable—like there’s more than one side to her.

I have a feeling I’m going to fucking love discovering all the facets of her.

Turning, I run my hand over my goatee, pondering what to make for her.Whiskey or bourbon is my gut instinct.If I had to guess, it would be something with a kick and a heady flavor.When I glance back, her grin turns wicked.“If it helps narrow down your choices, I’m not really a fufu drink kind of girl.All the sweetness turns my stomach, so I don’t mind the strong stuff.”

That makes me chuckle.Yeah, I knew it.Bourbon it is.But not bottom shelf.The good stuff.

She rests her chin in her hand, her gaze never leaving me.When I meet her stare, there are questions in her eyes, but ones she doesn’t voice, allowing for this quiet moment of silent connection between us.

After I set the drink in front of her, she stares at it for a moment.When her soft blue eyes flick back up to lock on mine, they’re bright and filled with curiosity.“What’s it called?”

“A Silver Fizz.”

A mischievous grin, then her teeth capture her bottom lip and hold it hostage.She gives me one sexy-as-fuck, knowing look as she brings the glass to her lips.

The fact that she closes her eyes and seems to hold her breath on that first sip pleases me.She’s shutting off some of her senses to fully take it in.I love that.I watch her neck muscles work as she swallows, followed by a small, breathy moan that sends a good deal of my blood rushing south.Seeing her little tongue dart out to lick across her bottom lip, chasing the flavor, doesn’t help matters at all.

When those blue eyes open, surprise and delight flash across them.

I note all these tiny tells as I wait.“You like?”

“God, that’s… really damn good.”She gives a deep laugh, the sound rolling over me like a cool breeze.

Christ, she’s gorgeous.A low chuckle slips out, and I fight the urge to pound my chest.Clearing my throat, I ask, “So your file said you’re from Georgia… that’s where you grew up, or just born there?”

Her cheeky grin over the rim of the glass is almost too much.“You didn’t do a background check on me?I’m surprised.”

I did.Took the info from her application, her references, and her driver’s license.Hell, I even hired a hacker Dozer knows to dig deeper, a guy he calls Whiz Kid, who D’s considering sponsoring as a prospect.

She sees my guilty expression and laughs.“Don’t feel bad.I figured you would.”

There were enough details to finally put my doubts about her being Elle to bed.Lily was halfway across the country when I met Elle.I saw her grades and her high school attendance.I saw the number of speeding and parking tickets she’d accumulated over the years, and I knew one thing for a fact.Lily was not a law-abiding citizen.She had a rap sheet for theft when she was younger and a few drunk and disorderly charges.

No angel.At least not in the biblical sense.

“Ah… back to being the silent, thoughtful type, huh?”She teases.

Her words snap me back to the present and shake the thoughts circling in my head.“I zone out from time to time.Got a lot on my mind.”