Page 5 of The Arrogant One

I laughed. “I don’t see a battle in my future.”

“Really? No war?”

“No.” I wrapped my fingers around the glass that the bartender had placed in front of me and held it toward her. “I see you and me sitting here until the restaurant closes and then going somewhere for a nightcap.”

“You’ve just met me. The restaurant probably doesn’t close for another four hours or so. How do you know you’ll still be interested by then?” She clinked her glass against mine and took a sip.

“Intuition.”

“Yeah?” She set her glass down. “What else does your intuition tell you about me?”

I didn’t return my tumbler to the bar. I wanted to hold the liquor, and I wanted to keep it close in case I needed more of its taste. It was the second-best thing I could put down my throat—her pussy being first.

“Based on what I’m seeing and feeling, one of two scenarios is true.”

She swiveled her stool just enough to move her legs out from under the bar and crossed them once they were free. “I can’t wait to hear this.”

“You’re either in the area for a business meeting and you came here after, getting a bite to eat before you drive home or to your hotel, if you’re an out-of-towner—although I get the feeling you’re a Cali girl.” I paused. “Or you’re here on a first date.”

She glanced down her body. “This is first-date attire?”

I smiled once I earned her eyes again. “Do you really want that answer?”

“Lockhart, I’m dying for it.”

“The dress is just short enough to show some skin. Not too much, just the right amount, so both scenarios apply. The top of it hugs you in a way that reveals what you’re working with,without throwing it in a man’s face or giving it all away—again, that can go both ways. Your makeup is light and professional, and your heels are seductive—those two balance each other out. But your hair—that’s what I’m torn about.”

“Meaning?”

My head tilted, my grin growing. “Men like hair. They fantasize about it. For some, they can see the way the wind has blown yours and think that’s how it’ll be when they get done kissing you. So, you’re either going for the ravenous look or you just haven’t tamed it.”

She released her chin and ran her fingers down her dark, curled locks. “Better?”

“Except I’m not like the men I just described.”

She moved her hair to one shoulder. “You’re not?”

I held my grin and glanced toward the bartender, taking a long drink before I leaned toward her. Not close enough to be in her personal space, but a distance that would allow her to hear me better.

“No, because if I kissed you, your hair would look like I just got done fucking you. That’s the kind of power I have in my lips.”

As I leaned back, her mouth opened to respond and then quickly closed.

A gesture that made me chuckle until I realized we were no longer alone. A woman was standing behind us, a tablet in her hand.

“Sadie, your table for one is ready.”

“For one,” I repeated. “Fascinating.” I winked at her. “What are you going to choose, Sadie?”

Sadie held my gaze as she debated the question, finally replying, “I think I’m just going to eat at the bar tonight.”

“No problem,” the hostess said.

“I want to go back to thehair and kissingthing,” she saidonce we were alone. “You’re telling me that would happen just from your mouth?”

I nodded.

“What, do you have the lips of a god or something?”