“Of course, dear,” she states sarcastically, batting her eyelashes for extreme emphasis. She clenches my arm hard—any harder and I swear she’ll draw blood. “That is, unless our friend wants to have a drink with us. We don’t want to be rude.”
Her eyes flicker with heat as she glances back my way. A flush grazes her cheeks, and she seems slightly nervous. I cock my head to the side and study her. A sly grin unintentionally graces my face. So, she’s going to play along. A little shocked and very much relieved, I settle into the possibilities of wherever this might take us.
The three of us look at one another, wondering who will make the next move. Seconds pass. Then a minute. Right as I begin to swear this was the worst idea I have ever had, the man in front of us breaks our three-way stare. He waves his hand as if to say “to hell with the both of you.” Mumbling something under his breath, he turns and walks away. I exhale a nervous breath I didn’t know I was holding as I turn back to the beautiful woman standing at my side.
Random jerk in a bar - 0. Noah - 1.
Chapter Three
Noah
The air becomes so thick in the moments that follow kissing a random stranger in a bar. Standing anxiously in front of her, I wonder what’s the best way to cut through the silence, and figure the strongest knife in the world is perhaps even too dull to ease the tension. Having to now come up with an explanation, I’m begin to think maybe running and hiding is the best available option.
In the time it takes to find the words to speak, a million thoughts run through my mind. Do I tell her how long I was watching her? Do I mention that I noticed her down by the pier? Do I say anything at all? Most importantly, how in the hell have I now succumbed to staring, stalking, and kissing random women in bars?
Her beauty is mind-blowing. Her presence is overpowering. I’m completely helpless in her presence. Standing only a few feet apart, every reasonable thought flees my mind. Unable to find the brain power to form a simple sentence, I try to come up with a reasonable justification for my actions - yet I have nothing.
Amazed that she doesn’t immediately turn and walk away, her blue eyes continue to dare me to speak. Her posture, although standoffish, is enticing and sexy as hell. She’s evidently expecting me to explain myself. But with each passing moment, any logical reason I can come up with seems to be just a stupid excuse to kiss a beautiful girl in a bar.
The fact that I find it impossible to form even one sentence in her presence is something that has never happened to me before. Sure, I have had my moments where nerves have gotten the better of me when staring into a pretty face. But actually speechless? Never.
“I don’t normally do things like that …” I stutter. “I mean I’ve never done anything like that.”
I take my hat off and run my fingers through my hair. It’s a nervous habit. If there was ever a time to be nervous, it’s now—when I’m standing face to face with unquestionably the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and will ever get the chance to see again.
Something that looks a lot like intrigue flashes through her eyes as she watches me. Her cheeks flush the most adorable shade of pink, and I grin.
She has to know how pretty she is, because damn, it almost hurts to look at her. It’s almost as if she was perfectly crafted just for me. I couldn’t dream of a woman more beautiful if I tried.
She’s entirely out of my league. I would be the luckiest man in the world to have a chance with a woman like her. Long cornsilk hair. Light blue eyes. Ample breasts. Small waist. Large Hips. Her body is the thing dreams are made of. My mouth waters thinking of all the ways I want to explore her luscious body.
When I still haven’t found anything more to say, and she still has yet to respond to my lame attempt at conversation, my gaze falls to her mouth. Her lips. God, I’d do anything for just one chance to be able to taste them again. She’s the most intoxicating thing I have ever experienced. The type of girl you let yourself drown in any chance you get. I could never get my fill of her.
There is something about this girl that renders me absolutely crippled in her presence. I can’t leave, even if I wanted to. Where was she a few days ago when I really could have explored her?
I clear my throat. “My name’s Noah,” I say. “Let me at least buy you a drink after making a fool of myself. It’s the least I can do.”
I can tell she’s trying to decide if I’m trustworthy enough to sit with or if I’m as bad as the jerk that just left. She squints her eyes. Her nose scrunches up as she angles her head to the side. Adorable mixed with sexy. Yup, I’m absolutely in trouble. I stand there, watching the wheels turning in her head, and wonder how I got lucky enough to even get as far as I have.
“Can I at least know your name, before you walk away and leave me having to guess it for the rest of my life?” I laugh, attempting one last time to make her stay.
I’ve never begged before, but desperate times and all that shit. I’m not above groveling for this girl.
She crosses her arms over her chest, still observing me. Her indecision makes me anxious, and I begin to remember why I don’t assert the confidence most others do. Taking chances is nerve-racking as fuck.
After a moment, a small smile spreads across her lips. Maybe there is hope for me yet. As much as I had no plans for allowing myself to fall for anyone, I know I don’t want to watch her walk out of my life just yet.
“Eva,” she reveals with a smile.
The gorgeous girl also has an elegantly beautiful name.
“Noah, is it?” she asks. “I think you owe me a drink and an explanation.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I beam.
Motioning towards the table, I quickly pull out her chair so she can sit down. This trip down to SoCal is beginning to not be so bad after all.
Chapter Four
