“Are you here with a date?” The minute the question spilled out of her mouth she wanted to take it back.Why the fuck did I askthat? I sound like a desperate moron.
“No. Are you?” He leaned in to her as a woman came down the hall.
“I am. Blind date.” Her lips twitched and she looked away. The scent of soap, leather, and fine whiskey looped around her, making her light-headed. Heat radiated from him as he pressed closer to her. She leaned against the wall and he placed his hand on it, his toned arm inches from her. Glancing sideways, she saw his tattoos curling and twisting around his magnificent bicep. Tempted to run her tongue over his taut skin, she bit on the inside of her bottom lip.
“And how’s that going?” His tone was low, velvety in its richness. It slid over her, landing right between her legs.
She shifted to her position. “Okay.”
“That’s good. How’s your tattoo doing?” His warm breath fanned over her face.
“Good.”
For a few seconds, their gazes locked with each other’s; then he turned his head and bent down further. Parting her lips, she raised her head slightly. Her heart beat wildly and everything around her disappeared except for him. Raw, male sex exuded from him and, without thinking, she placed her hand on his hip. He came closer and she felt her lips sparking in anticipation of his kiss.
“What’re you doing, Hay?” Rory’s voice came crashing in, shattering the moment.
He pulled away and stepped back, and she groaned in frustration. He threw her a half smile and winked at her, then sauntered away.
“Wasn’t that the guy who gave you the tattoo? What were you doing with him?” Hailey watched as he disappeared around the corner. “Brent was wondering what was taking you so long, so I came to find you. Youdoknow you’re on a date with Brent, right?”
Hailey focused her attention on Rory. “Don’t lecture me, okay? I just bumped into him, literally, when I came out of the bathroom. No big deal. Let’s go back to the table.”
“It looked like you guys were going to kiss.” Rory walked behind her.
“Well, looks can be deceiving.” Hailey made her way through the restaurant, her gaze darting around, but she didn’t see him.
For the rest of the night, she couldn’t rid him from her mind. Every time Brent would brush against her or place his hand over hers, she wished he were the tattoo artist. The blond-haired man with the drool-worthy body tempted her, teased her, and made her want him. She’d never had a reaction to a man like she had with him. She wanted to rip his clothes off, kiss and touch every inch of him, climb on top of him and ride him to ecstasy. She wanted his lips on her skin, licking her and making her come over and over. Hailey crossed her legs and shifted in the chair; just thinking about him aroused her.
After paying their bill, Rory suggested they go to a bar to continue the evening. Brent readily agreed, while Troy grumbled about it, and Hailey wished she could go home.
“Let’s go to Rocky Top. They always have great drink specials,” Brent suggested.
“That’s a good idea,” Rory said as she grasped Troy’s arm and snuggled next to him.
“We can’t stay too late because I have an early morning meeting,” Troy said with a frown.
Rory smiled. “It’s still early. We’ll only have a couple of drinks.”
The quartet walked down the block and entered the bar. It wasn’t very crowded and they found a booth by the window. Pop songs played overhead as they placed their order with the waitress.
After a few minutes, Brent scooted closer to Hailey and put his arm around her. “You doing good? You’ve been quiet ever since you came back from the ladies’ room,” Brent said.
Rory threw her a warning stare. Hailey stirred her drink. “I guess I’m just tired. The shop’s been so busy.”
Taking her hand in his, he squeezed it. “I know how that goes.”
“And it’s the damn heat. You probably got overheated at the restaurant, and now it’s freezing cold in this bar. It’s not good for your body to go from one drastic temperature change to the next.” Troy brought his bourbon and seven to his lips.
“I don’t think that’s it. Hailey’s been running the floral shop and going back and forth to the rehab center to see her aunt. That can be exhausting. And she’s at the shop six days a week,” Rory said.
Hailey nodded, but her mind wasn’t on the conversation—it was on the sexy guy’s mouth sucking her nipples while his fingers dove into her. “Oh.” The small moan escaped through her lips, and heat rose up her neck as all three of them stared at her. If she wasn’t so mortified, she’d have busted out laughing over Rory’s tight-assed expression. She gulped her vodka tonic, then picked up her purse.
“Ladies’ room?” Rory said tensely.
She shook her head. “Home. I’m really tired, and I have to open the shop in the morning.” She pushed her chair back. “I had a really nice time. Thanks.” Smiling at Brent, she stood up.
He jumped to his feet. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay out a little longer?”
