I slid onto the stool, and the bartender came over. I ordered a drink, then faced Rhythm.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she blushed.
“Your smile. You’re having a good time. It looks good on you.”
Rhythm let out a small laugh. “Is that your way of saying I looked stressed when we met?”
I chuckled. “Verystressed.”
She giggled shamefully. “That meeting wasa lot. It was good, but it was a lot of information coming at me at once.”
Nodding, I told her, “I feel that. But I hope I made it easier for you at the end.”
“Oh, you did. You were great. I have a much better understanding now.”
“How you feeling about the show coming up?”
Rhythm’s head slightly tilted to the side. “I thought you came in here to have a drink. You’re still working.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “It’s a safe topic of conversation.”
Her brows curled. “Safe?”
“I’m trying to behave. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
She looked down at her glass, then back up at me. “You don’t have to be timid with me. I’m a big girl.”
I held her gaze a second too long, and the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention.
So did my dick.
I caught her watching me with a faint, knowing smile. Her cheeks pinked just a little, and I let out a quiet laugh under my breath, trying not to blush like a girl.
Joi made a little noise beside her, like we had forgotten she existed. Rhythm didn’t look over. Neither did I. The moment felt like the two of us had stepped into a room alone without moving.
Rhythm turned her body slightly toward me. “Well, since you prefer to talk about work, what made you sponsor Mothers of the Block?”
“Aria spoke so highly of it, I really couldn’t say no. I liked the way she talked about your work. She stood on it. That made me want to stand on it too. Then when I did my research on you, I liked how passionate you are about your work. Someone with your talent shouldn’t go unnoticed and deserves the spotlight.”
She started to stare at me. Not a gaze though, like she was trying to figure me out.
“What?” I asked.
“Most men don’t talk like you.”
“I’m not most men.”
Rhythm looked like she might melt for a second, then she blinked and pulled herself back together. “You’re a very confident man, Sincere.”
I shrugged cooly. “Only when I’m sure.”
She slightly rolled her eyes in amusement and then challenged me. “What else are you sure about?”
I should have redirected. I should have made it professional again. Instead, I told the truth. “I’m sure I like being around you, and I’m trying to keep that from turning into something that complicates our professional relationship.”
Rhythm held my gaze and a warm feeling ran through my veins. She didn’t look away right away, like she was fighting the urge to fall for me, then she blinked and found her composure. “I appreciate that. I am really excited about working withAria, and I wouldn’t want anything to make this opportunity complicated.”
I nodded, once, hating that I was in agreement.
