“Well,” I tease, while also declining his advance, “you’ll have to visit me a few times before I tell you anything like that.”
Emris’s eyes sparkle at this, and grinning, he says, “Sounds like you want to see me more.”
My cheeks flame a bit, but I try to shake it off by rolling my eyes and popping a hand on my hip. I mean, if he drops the forward-bordering-on-pushy attitude, I wouldn’t mind serving and flirting with him every once in a while. I’ll admit, I’m starting to enjoy this back-and-forth with him, and that’s unusual for me.
“Last call,” Cerise shouts out, standing on a stool behind the bar.
The bar starts to get crowded again, meaning I’ll have to divide my time between Emris and the rest of the customers. I push off the bar fully, turning my gaze back to Emris’s piercing eyes. He remains leaning forward, his lips slightly pouted out.
“Can I get you one last drink before we close?” I offer, mimicking his pout.
Emris straightens his posture, shaking his head. “No thank you, but can I get your number?”
I tap my cheek like he did earlier in the night, pretending to be thinking of my answer. After making him wait for a few seconds, I start to turn away, only pausing for a moment to glance over my shoulder at him.
“Ask me next time you see me.” I leave the real answer a mystery, but also try to ensure he comes back again. Julius will be very happy if Emris is a repeat customer.
With that, I turn and walk away from him, helping Cerise with the influx of orders to end the night before we close everyone’s tabs. I doubt that I’ll be seeing him again, but it is what it is. I’m sure that Cerise won’t let me forget about him for quite a while though.
Even though he’s confident bordering on cocky, and maybe a bit of a jerk, there’s something about him that I’m drawn to. He’s alluring and somehow mysterious, even though he’s apparently very well-known.
If I see him again, maybe I’ll entertain conversation a bit more. That’s if he even comes back again. I don’t expect it, not from a man like that. He was here for two things: his product launch, and to try and get lucky. He only got one of those, so I’m sure he won’t be returning.
A wave of disappointment floods me. It’s just business, why am I feeling like this? There’s no way I’m feeling something more, right?
Besides, he wouldn’t return just for me, would he?
Chapter Two
EMRIS
I stare out the window of my office, taking in the setting sun over the tops of the city buildings. The view is stunning; it both calms me and reminds me of the endless empire that is New Bria. So many opportunities and possibilities lie here.
Opportunities, possibilities, and people. Specifically, the blonde from the bar, Mallorie. She was wickedly attractive, with eyes as icy as a frozen lake, and very much rejecting any advance I made. That is, until the end, but I think her boss had something to do with that.
It’s been a week since I was at that bar for the launch of Bloodka, and she’s been on my mind ever since. I never intended to spend the entire night at The Lair. I had other bars where I was supposed to make appearances, but once her eyes connected with mine, I was trapped.
How am I supposed to make this stubborn woman fall for me if my money and good looks aren’t doing it? Be vulnerable and show my personality? That’s never worked before—it’s not what women want from me. They all want one thing, so that’s what I give them: a good time. Why would Mallorie be any different?
That’s the question, the answer unknown. She is different for some reason, clearly, since my charm didn’t work. I’ve never dealt with a woman who is after more than a superficial connection. It’s unfamiliar, but for her, it might be worth a try.
The murmur behind me reminds me that my COO is trying to pitch me some new ideas our marketing department has come up with. I swivel my chair, trying to hide my distant thoughts, as I give my attention back to Davian.
“Have you been listening to a word I’ve said?” he questions, his tail flicking wildly behind him.
Nodding, I lie, “Of course I have.”
Davian sees right through me, challenging me immediately. “What did I just suggest then?”
“Flavored Bloodka?” I guess, running a hand through my hair.
“Not even close.” Davian sighs, moving to sit in a chair across the desk from me. “Are you still thinking about that human bartender girl?”
He knows me too well, and I hate it. Davian has always had the ability to see right through me, which is why I’ve made him the COO of Bloodka. He’s got a keen eye for business, keeps me on track, and doesn’t let me falter. His mind is always in the game.
“There’s just something about her, she—” I start to ramble, but he cuts me off.
“Yes, I know, she didn’t even know who you were. She didn’t fall to your flirting. She different,” Davian recites all the things I’ve already said to him back to me. “We’re going back to that bar.”
