“I took care of that,” a smooth, deep, masculine voice said from beside me.
I turned back to Mr.Tuxedo in surprise.“What?”
“I paid the woman’s tab,” he said easily.“She looked upset, so I told the bartender to put it on my card.”
The bartender gave a quick nod of confirmation.“Your bill is paid in full,” he said, before moving down the bar to take a drink order.
“Oh.”I blinked at the man, shocked by his random generosity.“Thank you.You didn’t have to do that.”
He gave a slight shrug, the movement drawing my attention to the strong line of his shoulders.“It’s not a big deal.”
His smile reached his eyes, warm and disarming.They were a mesmerizing copper color, and I wanted to stare into them endlessly.I also didn’t miss the genuine interest in his gaze as he stared back.
And just like that, something fluttered in my chest.The kind of instantaneous spark I’d been telling Whitney I wanted to feel.
“Itisa big deal,” I said, trying to sound composed even as my pulse sped up.“That tab was probably huge.Let me pay you back.”
The couple beside us moved away from the bar, freeing up a stool.He gestured toward the now vacant seat with an inviting, flirtatious smile.“How about you have a drink with me instead.Then, we’ll call it even.”
It wasn’t a question.Not quite.But the way he said it—calm, certain, like he already knew I’d say yes—sent a little thrill through me.
I should have hesitated.Should have at least thought about it for more than half a second.But Whitney’s voice echoed in my head.Maybe if you stopped expecting fireworks right away, you’d give someone a real chance.
Except Iwasfeeling a spark.The second his eyes met mine, there had been no doubt in my mind that the awareness between us had been mutual.
Maybe Whitney and I were both right.I needed to open myself up to new experiences with men without over-analyzing the situation, but it didn’t hurt that I felt such an immediate connection with this gorgeous man who’d just offered to buy me a drink.
He was confident and direct and left the choice entirely up to me.I could say no, thank him again for covering our tab, and walk away.Go back to my friends and spend the rest of the night wonderingwhat if.
Or I could stay and see where things might lead.
My heart gave a decisive thump, making the decision for me.
“I’d love to,” I said, sliding onto the stool next to him.
His gaze followed the movement, tracking the way my dress rode up slightly as I settled onto the seat, then along the curve of my waist, the fullness of my breasts, and even the sway of my hair as I settled in.
When his eyes finally came back to mine, there was an unmistakable heat and desire there that made it impossible to remember what I’d just said, because I felt it, too.
With that one look, the night shifted, thick with the kind of anticipation that made the air hum with promise, along with the certainty that whateverthiswas, it wasn’t going to be just another drink.
What better way to end my birthday celebration than by tempting fate with the sinfully good-looking man beside me?
CHAPTER THREE
Liam
“What’s your drinkof choice?”I asked the beautiful woman perched on the stool beside me.
When I paid the pregnant woman’s tab a few minutes earlier, I hadn’t thought twice about it.She looked frazzled and upset, so when she walked away, promising to return with a different method of payment, I’d been compelled to give the bartender my credit card.It was a little pricey, but that didn’t matter.My pockets were deep and I figured the small act of decency had been a nice way to balance the scales and assuage my guilt after walking out on Noah’s wedding reception.
But meetingher?That was pure, unexpected luck.
Her green dress hugged her curves like it had been made for her stunning figure.Her dark hair brushed her shoulders as she turned toward me, eyes bright with amusement.“I’ll have Sex on the Beach,” she said.
I raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth.“That’s bold.Not that I’m objecting.”
She laughed, the soft and lilting sound cutting right through the bar noise.“It’s a drink with peach schnapps, vodka, and orange juice,” she clarified, still smiling.
