The scent of fine leather, musk, and, if his nose didn’t fail him, a hint of Prada’s Luna Rossa Ocean cologne encircled him likea warm cloud. Kenji drew in a breath, nearly moaning from the combination of that and fine ass man.
The man bent from his great height, his lips near Kenji’s ear.
“It looked like you weren’t enjoying your drink, so I got you another,” he said in a whiskey warm tone, his breath blowing over Kenji’s neck.
Goose bumps skittered along his skin, and he bit back another moan. He couldn’t stop the tremor that washed through him, though. Hopefully the guy hadn’t seen it.
Or maybe it would be good if he did? Kenji had failed Flirting 101 and soon been kicked off campus at Dating U. He rarely noticed someone was hitting on him unless he was struck over the head with it. In this case, his usual level of obliviousness was no match for the man at his side.
“I promise I didn’t slip anything into it.”
Kenji knew better than to take an open drink from a stranger, especially one who said,‘I didn’t spike it, I promise.’He was a bartender, for fuck’s sake, and had watched more than one idiot do something stupid because a really hot guy was paying attention. Sadly, rational sense had already fled the minute he’d locked eyes with the man, and it was his turn to do the walk of stupid. He accepted the beer and gave it a look over. There were no excess bubbles, off color, or fogginess. He took a tiny sip and found no off taste or bitterness.
It was actually one of his favorite beers.Nice call.
He smiled to himself as he lowered his hand.
“That definitely looks like an improvement, going by your expression,” the man said.
“It is,” Kenji replied. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” the stranger said. He offered a hand. “I’m Skylar.”
He took the hand, the warmth of it spreading through him like wildfire. “Kenji.”
Skylar said something in what sounded like fluent Japanese.
“I don’t speak Japanese,” Kenji said, his face warming.
“Sorry. I heard your name and saw hints—and assumed. My apologies.”
“You weren’t wrong. I’ve… never learned the language.”
“A shame. It’s a beautiful one,” Skylar said, his gaze capturing Kenji’s.
Kenji’s heart quickened, the electric sizzle returning and zipping along his veins. He felt a bit off, his body on high alert. His breathing grew strained. The fine hairs on his body lifted, the tingle all over sending him spiraling. If he hadn’t started feeling those sensationsbeforethat sip of beer, he might’ve assumed it had been spiked.
There was something pulling him towards Skylar and he wasn’t quite sure what it was.
Skylar gazed down at him with eyes so expressive there were no doubts where his mind was going. Kenji had never known a simple stare could feel so scandalous. His cheeks warmed while his mind flashed erotic images born from Skylar’s provocative perusal.
He dragged his gaze away with difficulty and took another sip, considering his response to Skylar’s obvious intent. Kenji was bound to mess it up, his nerves getting the best of him at theworst of times. When standingbehindthe bar, he could talk shit to just about anyone, but when on the other side of it, he too often lost his courage and composure. It didn’t help that it wasn’t his scene there, nor his usual brand of man. It was only going to be a matter of time before Skylar realized Kenji was out of his element and eased his way out.
He issofucking hot.
Say something interesting…
“It’s been awfully hot, hmm? I don’t know if you’re from around here, but it’s never this hot in the summer.”
The weather? What the fuck, Kenji? You were supposed to say somethinginteresting.
“Yeah, it’s pretty bad. And I live here,” Skylar replied, the hint of a smile returned. “By the way.”
What a way to break the ice, dumbass. But at least you know he’s a local now. Nice.
“So… how tallareyou?”
Jesus. Now just combine the two and ask him how the weather is up there. I’m sure he’ll love that.
