Realizing she looked like an idiot, Penelope tried to move around him, but his massive body, rocking jeans and a T-shirt in a way that should’ve been illegal, was blocking her path.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she offered, not sure if he was intending to say something or merely waiting for her to get out of his way.
“No.” His voice was rich and dark, the single word dancing over her skin.
“Okay, then. If you change your mind, just let me know.”
This time when she tried to move around him, he stepped out of the way. But not before her arm brushed his. The sensation that rocked her entire being drew her up short, had her turning to look up at him once more.
Even though his eyes were covered, Penelope could feel the intensity of his stare. It washed over her, sent a shiver of awareness through all her senses. She didn’t recognize him, but Penelope got the feeling she knew him somehow.
Or perhaps it was merely her libido on the fritz. There was no denying the guy hit all the right buttons.
But it wasn’t only his striking features that had her senses on red alert. All of those did come together to form a rather yummy package, but they were more the decoration, what fanned the flames. The real attraction she felt was for the power she sensed in him, the restraint. It shrouded him like an aura, enticing her to interact.
“Do I know you?” Penelope whispered.
He didn’t smile, didn’t respond, merely assessed, waiting for her to make a move.
Feeling awkward, Penelope offered another smile, and just when she was about to turn away, his hand lifted, rising toward her face. She stood there, breath lodged in her chest as he brushed his knuckles lightly over her cheek. The first thing she noticed was how enormous his hand was in comparison to her head. When she said he was giant, she wasn’t exaggerating. Even in her four-inch heels, she wasn’t quite eye-level with his chest. The second thing she noticed was a shocking wave of desire that warmed her from the inside out, sparked by that simple touch.
Before Penelope realized what she was doing, she covered his hand with hers, leaning into it lightly. His touch was by far the most soothing thing she’d ever felt. Along with the warmth of his skin, there was a deep sense of peace. It was almost shocking in its intensity, making it difficult for her to break the strange but undeniable connection.
“Hey, waitress! Could I get a drink over here?”
A-a-andtherewas the emotion she’d been trying to avoid.
While sadness was difficult to deal with and happiness sometimes caught her off guard, irritation was the worst. It made her skin prickle painfully, and this guy’s frustration was buried deep in his bone marrow.
Penelope’s mystery man’s head swiveled, his attention going to the rude guy she’d been catering to most of the night. Knowing she had to take care of him, she dropped her hand and stepped back from the stranger.
“Excuse me. Duty calls.”
The sexy guy turned his attention back to her, nodded.
Penelope spun around and sauntered over to Mr. Slot Machine.
“It’s about time,” he huffed, not bothering to look up from his task. “You’d think I could get some decent service. I’ve been here all night.”
Her skin felt like ants were doing the Macarena, and she had to fight to keep from dragging her nails over her arms.
“What can I get you?” she asked, maintaining the polite tone required of her.
“Another vodka and cranberry.” He cast a pithy look her way. “Make that two. Since you’re taking your sweet time tonight.”
Figuring it wouldn’t benefit her to get lost in her section before getting his drinks, Penelope headed right for the server station, relayed the order.
“Hey, Pen. How’s it going?” Tim, one of the bartenders on duty, asked.
She offered a one-shoulder shrug. “Not too bad.” She nodded toward the fresh glass he held in his hand. “This guy’s a bit antsy.”
Tim smiled. “He said diluted vodka, right?”
When she returned to the floor a few minutes later, the man was still sitting at his slot machine, continuously hitting the button to spin the reels hoping for the triple sevens that would signal a big payday.
“Vodka and cranberry.” Penelope set the two glasses on the shelf near his knees, then turned away.
“Oh, wait, miss,” he said politely.
