Blushing, I flick the back of his hand. “You haven’t seen me perform. I could be terrible.”
He chuckles, the fine lines on his face deepening. “Hard to believe.”
I’m still waiting for a smile. So far, it’s been subtle lifts of his lips or a glimmer in his midnight eyes.
Humming, I scan the overcrowded bar, watching a sea of drunken bodies sway with the music, beer sloshing onto the floor. “You said this is your first time out in a while.”
His expression shutters, a veil of indifference falling into place. “I wasn’t in jail or a coma, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
The tightness in his voice and sudden shift in the air tells me to move the conversation along. We’re strangers, and if he doesn’t want to share his past, that’s fine. I’m not in search of secrets.
“How about a game?” I suggest.
The mask falls away, amusement flickering across his features. “What are you thinking?”
“Two truths and a lie.”
Warren’s pupils dilate when I prop my elbows on the table and lean forward, giving him the perfect view of my breasts spilling over the bodice of my dress. It’s empowering to have this effect on someone clearly so reserved, like unearthing an age old mystery.
“Two truths and a lie,” he echoes, tongue flicking out toswipe along his bottom lip. “Ladies first.” He takes a large gulp of his beer while I think.
“Okay. I’m a natural blonde. My favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip.” I lower my voice. “And I’ve always found older men attractive.”
He nods slowly. “Interesting.”
“Your turn.” My foot brushes his leg when I place my boot on the rung of his stool—right between his spread thighs.
“Aren’t I supposed to guess the truth?”
I shrug. “Or you could wait to find out. Buy me an ice cream after we’re done here.”
“Process of elimination?”
“Something like that.”
The air pulses, coming alive and raising the hairs on my arms when he presses his legs together, trapping my knee. My breath catches in my throat. His jeans are the only layer between our bare skin. Even through the thick material, the heat radiates from him, matching the fire stoking low in my belly.
“I’m glad I came out tonight. Your cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of pink when you lie.” All noise fades when he runs the tip of his finger along my jaw. “And Idon’twant to find out how far your blush spreads.”
My gaze lowers to the table, biting back my grin at the hidden insinuation. The same finger hooks under my chin to raise it. He doesn’t conceal his hungry perusal of my chest this time. I don’t play coy when I shuffle forward on my stool, bringing our faces impossibly close.
“I’ve never done this before,” he murmurs, the deep timber of his voice rising several keys. There’s a slight tremble in his hand as he lowers it to rest on mine.
Despite our obvious flirting, it’s comforting to know he’s also nervous.
“And what are we doing?” Desire masks my voice until it’s unrecognizable.
“Hopefully, continuing this evening once we finish these drinks.” He glance at our half-empty glasses, then back at me. “But if not, thank you for this evening, Harriet, and for giving me another chance. I’m aware how I can come across, and I’m sorry for being rude or?—”
I raise a hand. “This is a fresh start. We’re strangers, and tonight, we can be whoever we want to be. No commitments, remember?”
Something glimmers behind the shadowed veneer Warren cloaks himself in, piquing a curiosity I’m quick to push aside. “Whoever we want to be.”
“Are you scared of heights?”
His brow furrows. “I’m not.”
“Then let’s not finish our drinks.” Linking our fingers, I hop down from the stool, tugging him toward the exit and abandoning our glasses.
