"I'd like to think we're familiar with each other. As you know, I'm the owner of this esteemed establishment. Name is Oscar Murphy O'Sullivan. I'm thirty years old, single at the moment and looking for a beautiful woman to share my life and my bed."
Her lips curved slightly in spite of the annoyance running through her.
"You're looking in the wrong direction. I'm not interested."
"Sure?" Turning her hand over, he pried open the elegant fingers and studied the silver rings with the different stones decorating all her fingers including her thumb. "Shall I tell you what I see in your future?"
"Do you have a crystal ball?" He was charming and fascinating. She was going to have to watch her step. After the initial annoyance, she found herself enjoying his company. The band had changed the music to a soulful ballad that had violins weeping.
"Don't need one." He trailed a long finger over the lines and caused a frisson of awareness along her spine. "I see children."
"All right."
"With me as their father." His head lifted and had the laughter strangling inside her throat. "In the not too distant future."
"That's very entertaining. Now will you please let go of my hand?" She was alarmed at the way her heart was behaving.
"Don't you want to hear the rest?" he asked softly. What had started out as a joke and light banter was turning serious very fast.
"I really don't." She tugged.
"There's so much more that needs to be said. Why don't you have dinner with me tomorrow?"
"I have plans."
His brows creased.
"You're involved with someone?"
She grabbed at that and did not even care that it was cowardly.
"Yes."
His eyes narrowed on her face.
"As a trained bartender, I can tell when someone's lying. Now why would you feel the need to?"
Her eyes flashed dangerously.
"I don't owe you a damn explanation."
His thick brows lifted.
"I'd say that as the man who's going to father your child, I have every right to the truth."
She tugged more firmly and this time succeeded in dragging her hand away. Even though he was no longer holding her, she could still feel the heat.
"Well, this has been fun." Sliding from the booth, she rose. And tried not to retreat when he blocked her exit.
"Give me a number."
She had to lift her head several inches to meet his gaze.
"I'm not interested."
"You're only delaying the inevitable." He sounded so sober, that she felt a frisson of anxiety slicing through her heart, which was ridiculous. She was not about to weaken for a pretty face. She had bigger problems to deal with.
"Get out of my way." She was prepared to shove him aside when he moved.
