As he turned to get my drink, a scent hit me from my left. Dark, rich liquor. It wasn't surprising, considering I was in a bar, but there was something about it that didn't feel ambient. It felt like…an alpha? There was a dangerous edge to it that made my skin tingle in the best way, and even though I wasn’t really looking for that tonight, since this was a girls’ night out, I couldn’t help but be intrigued.
I couldn't remember the last time a scent made me feel like that.
Turning toward it, my eyes met a pair of bright blue ones, striking even in the dim light.
Shit. Sitting next to me was adamngood-looking man. Sure, I probably could’ve been more poetic in the moment, but my brain immediately short-circuited, thoughts tumbling about like a washing machine.
Dark brown hair that was pushed away from his face. Rich blue eyes that seemed impossibly deep, sapphires reflecting the ocean. He was wearing casual clothes—jeans and a T-shirt—but the faint aroma of smoke and burn of liquor that clung to his skin, had my stomach doing flip-flops.
And when I stopped to think about it, it was a familiar scent that I knew well. Instinctively, I scanned him, and there were smudges on the hem of his shirt and on his cheek too.
While I was admiring him, I abruptly realized he was raking his eyes over me, completely unabashed.
Is he checking me out? Oh, God. What do I do? Should I say something? I…I think I should say something before this gets awkward. Well, more awkward.
“Hey, I’m Hailey,” I greeted.
“Preston.” He took my outstretched hand, and my entire body stood to attention at that firm grip and large hands, forcing me to swallow and adjust in my seat.
“Are you a… firefighter?” I asked, furrowing my brow.
His eyebrows rose back at me, then he smiled, this gorgeous smirk that lit up his entire face, and my pulse flickered. “What gave it away?” He laughed, cocking his head.
My chest burned, pleased at the confirmation that my suspicion was correct.
“The layer of smoke still clinging to your skin was a surefire tell. I work with firefighters pretty often, actually, so I’m familiar with it.”
“Oh? What do you do?” he asked, sliding across the bar so he was closer to me. My skin prickled at the nearness, like a charged spark demanding more electricity to feed it.
“I’m an EMT,” I shouted over the music. We were so close, I could feel his breath on my face.
I wasn’t complaining, though. He smelled delicious, and being near him felt…good.
“Hardcore.” He nodded. “I respect that. You guys put up with more bullshit than I think I ever could. Do you want another drink?” he asked.
I thought for a moment, biting my lip as I looked back at Alice, happily enjoying herself.
“I’ll take a Jack and Coke. I did order one, but it never seemed to arrive…”
He turned to the bartender with a kind smile, holding up his bottle of beer. “Hey, man, can I get a Jack and Coke and a refill?”
“Sure thing.” He nodded before turning and busying himself with getting our drinks.
“This may be awfully forward of me, but are you spoken for?” Preston locked eyes with me as he asked, his stare intent but almost…shy.
“No. I’m currentlyunattached,” I admitted, leaning in.
His smile widened as he inched closer to me. Those blue eyes remained locked on me, looking for any sign that I wasn’t welcoming his advances, which I appreciated. Still…
He wouldn’t find any.
I wasn’t sure what exactly his scent was, but I knew it was grabbing my attention. Dark liquor, rich and slightly sweet, with that smoky scent that clung to all firefighters. Was part of that just him, though? I couldn’t tell.
His hand came to gently rest on my thigh, a move that, if done by anyone else, would have given me the creeps, butthis manwas another story. One I wanted to read a little longer.
I wanted him to touch moreof me. His hands were large, firm, and just a little rough with calluses from all that hard work.
I had to admit it. An alpha who was a little rough and ready was my weakness.
