Cadmus assumed too much and took great delight in constantly teasing the rest of us.Well, now he’d have something to ponder besides returning to Tanselm.
He recovered enough to send me a small smile.“Nicely done.You know, it’s scary.You’re more like Arim than I’d thought.”
“There are worse people you could liken me to.”
“True.”Cadmus laughed, his morose thoughts of marriage apparently behind him.“Take Darius.He’s more like a dark Djinn about to face the light of day—utterly unbearable.Too bad I have a date tonight or I’d visit Outpour just to piss him off.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing that.I have a feeling he’s not into sharing this particular woman.And if he’s as frustrated as he seemed earlier, it’s going to take all of his effort not to scare her away.”
I grinned, and Cadmus’s smile widened as he spotted mine.
Then we laughed and laughed.
Chapter7
Samantha
Three hours into the night and I felt wonderful, not at all like I had on my previous visit to Outpour.Jerry Huntington was as pleasant in person as he’d been from my dealings with him on the phone.He’d personally hired all of his employees and had introduced me to each one present.
Surprisingly, meeting Darius again had been anticlimactic.Save for the sparkle in his dark eyes, he acted friendly and courteously, not at all like the playboy from the night prior.
Not wanting to delve into my earlier dealings with him, I’d flashed him a warning look and continued with Jerry’s introductions.A gorgeous blonde named Ellie was apparently his favorite, and from what I’d thus far observed of the woman, I could clearly see why.
While I’d been watching, both Ellie and Darius worked nonstop.Bombarded by patrons as much as Darius, Ellie had a ready smile and friendly efficiency that bolstered sales while encouraging an atmosphere of fun.
A man carrying three drinks bumped me, interrupting my musings.Murmuring an apology, I neatly sidestepped him and saw Jerry conversing with one of the VIP patrons on a raised platform across the room.He nodded at me, and I smiled back, not needing to pretend satisfaction with the huge crowd dominating Outpour.
I had already noted a few things he might want to change to increase profits, but advertising to increase patronage wasn’t one of them.
I also noted the majority of women plaguing the bartenders near Darius’s station and forced myself to keep my attention on the dance floor.
The minute I’d left him after Jerry’s introduction, I’d felt his eyes on me.Despite not wanting to renew our acquaintance from before, I’d been tempted to light into him for causing such a scene in public this morning with that woman, even knowing I had no right to do so.
I couldn’t help remembering how it had felt to be dumped.That Darius obviously cared so little for the woman he’d left crying in public, well, it made me feel that much worse for responding to his touch last night.
An arm shot around my waist, startling me out of my musings.
“Come on baby, dance with me.”A handsome blond man he tugged me toward the dance floor.“Someone as gorgeous as you shouldn’t be sitting on the sidelines.”
I glanced at the smiling stranger and shrugged.Why not?I’d see how the club felt from the middle of the crowded dance floor.
My partner introduced himself over the loud music as John, and as I moved closer to respond, I felt a tangible urge to step away.
A low growl came out of nowhere, but I didn’t see anyone near me expressing interest in me or my dance partner.Without knowing why, my gaze found Darius glowering at me from the bar before he dismissed me and turned to another woman clamoring for his attention.
Odd.I turned back to John with an apologetic smile.“I’m Samantha.”
He nodded.After several minutes of dancing, when the music shifted to a more sensual beat he pulled me closer, allowing me to feel every nuance of his arousal.
Unfortunately for John, I still hadn’t recovered from Darius.And I had no inclination to indulge in a little bump and grind on the dance floor with a virtual stranger.
“Thanks, but I have to get back to work.”I easily disentangled myself.
Too bad.I wanted to like John.He seemed like an ordinary guy, and I found him attractive enough.A short roll in the hay with this guy might diminish my aggravating attraction for the jerky bartender at the bar.
Again, disapproval shot through my system with enough fire to burn me into acquiescence.I rubbed at my thundering heart and glanced around, not surprised to see no one but John paying me any attention.
“Later, John.Thanks again for the dance.”
