His shirt is back on, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s almost too small.
It spreads over his chest with more than the necessary effort, showcasing his pecs and reminding me of what they look like when they’re bare under the stage lighting.
His gaze is intense.
If I had to guess, this wasn’t his choice either.
Yet here we are.
“Hello, hello,” the guy with the long hair says, grinning at me and winking at Kate before turning his full attention back to me. “I believe my friend here won a date with you.”
“I believe so,” I state.
I’m having a hard time making eye contact with him.
His presence in front of me is so…dominating.
Like he’s taking up the whole room just by standing there.
He smells like sweat and caramel and the combination alone makes me feel the need to wet my lips with my tongue.
His eyes flicker to my mouth.
Jesus Christ.
“You waved your paddle,” he says, and his voice is everything I ever wanted it to be and more. Gritty, low, unamused.
Why is a grumpy man so enticing?
I always saw myself with a funny guy, an easy-going guy, not someone whose presence makes my skin feel tight around my body.
“It was an accident,” I say because I’m me.
“Wow,” Kate laughs awkwardly. “Well, this is going…”
“Fucking fantastic,” the guy with the long hair laughs. “I’m Noah. And I think this is awesome. You two have fun.”
“Where are you going, Noah?” Cal looks suddenly disturbed.
Not panicked. Not worried. He doesn’t actually strike me as the type of man who gets ruffled too easily.
Even between him and young Johnny Depp here, I’m thinking he’s the man in charge.
“I will be at the Glass Pony,” Noah says.
“Isn’t that a strip club?” Kate asks.
“Yes ma’am. When in Rome, right?”
She smiles and he smiles back and with that I am done here.
And by the look I catch on Cal’s face, so is he.
“You hungry?” he asks.
“Yes,” I answer. Though mostly, I am just ready to not be here anymore.
If we can’t go back to the room and I have to go on an obligatory date with America’s Next Top Male Model, 45 and Up Edition, I want to get it over with.
