The pub was bustling. Live music played in the corner of the room on a small, slightly elevated stage.
I headed straight to the bar, spotting a couple seats open.
Taking my coat off, I hooked it on the back of the chair, and slid on.
“What can I getcha, love?” The older bartender politely asked.
I leaned in to speak over the clamor.
“I’m actually here to see Lochlainn. If you wouldn’t mind letting him know Carwynn is here?”
He gave a quick nod of understanding.
“Absolutely! I’ll let him know straight away! Anything I can getcha in the meantime?”
“Hmm, maybe just a pint of—” My words were cut off by a deep voice invading my space.
“Tell Lochlainn I’m here to see him. My business is priority over—” Piercing blue eyes narrowed on me, trailing down my curves, to the swell of my hips, then back up. “Pleasures.”
Asshole!
The hot flush of humiliation swept over my skin, targeting my cheeks.
No, don’t you fucking dare look down and cower!I reminded myself.
Old habits die hard.
He leaned over the bar, shoulder grazing mine dominantly. Black hair was buzzed short on the sides, but longer on top and neatly combed back. His black shirt matched dark pants, accented by gold-embellished suspenders.
Fuck, he was hot. But also hot in a hot, steamy, piece ofshitkind of way.
My aggravation built.
I held his stare while addressing the bartender.
“Actually, I’m here onbusinessas well.”
When I turned to look at the bartender, I found he had already disappeared.
Well, shit.
It wasn’t until he leaned forward, overwhelming my space, that I realized his form. He wasn’t a mountain, but he was tall and clearly muscled under his fitted button-down.
I swallowed hard, trying not to breathe him in. I imagined he probably smelled like some nauseating aerosol cologne that cocky pretty boys bought out of a can, dousing themselves in it like their ego.
My body betrayed me as I took a whiff.
Damn it.I was off.Way off.
He smelled like a candle I used to have in college called midnight,or something cheesy like that. It was spiced and intoxicating. The kind of scent that’d leave a trail of pathetic, drooling women.
Curse him for buying the expensive stuff.
He was so close to me that I saw every curve of his face—strong jaw, furrowed dark brows, full lips, and an annoyingly pretty boy face.
Eyes lethal, he lowered his voice, leaning in.
“A business has doors that open wide to patrons.” He looked down at me again. “Notlegs.”
