“Hey,” a smooth male voice sounded to my left, pulling my attention away from the bartender who’d just gestured that they’d be down in a minute. I faced the voice,taking in the tall, gorgeous man who looked way too cool to be intentionally standing next tomybarstool.
Is he talking to me?
He smiled a little, almost as if he could see the disbelief on my face as I locked in on his vibrant green eyes. He ran a hand through his slick-backed curls, which were not quite blonde but not quite brown.
“Are you waiting for someone?” he asked, gesturing to the empty barstool next to me.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Sit.”
Did I just command him like a fucking dog?I wanted to melt into the floor. Instead, I put a hand in my hair and tugged on my thick brown locks, probably taking my look from dorky-librarian to hair-sticking-up-in-odd-places-librarian. I smoothed it back down.
“I’m Jace,” he said as he sat down. The bartender stopped in front of us and Jace ordered a craft IPA. They reached under the bar, twisted off the bottle cap, and slid the bottle to Jace. He turned to me again as he took a slow sip.
This is where you tell him your name, dipshit.
“Kayden,” I said, hoping my small smile looked at least slightly flirtatious. This man was exactly my type. He was suave, with a short, neatly trimmed beard and eyes that made me feel like he was looking right through me. This really would have been easier if he wasn’t a twelve out of ten on the hotness scale. I’d be better off picking up a six for my first time trying to get a guy without the help of an app.
Jace tipped his chin to my empty glass. “Can I get you another drink before you go?”
I blinked twice.
When you’re aware of your blinking, you know something’s wrong. It’s probably a sign of a stroke. Yep, I’m probably having a stroke next to one of the most attractivepeople I’ve ever met.For fuck’s sake, Kayden, answer him.
“Sure,” I said.
“Tonic water and lime?” the bartender—who was standing in front of us and witnessing my embarrassment—offered.
I nodded, feeling my skin warm as Jace’s eyes roamed over my body. I let my eyes do the same to him, enjoying his tight T-shirt and muscular arms which were visible enough through the green overshirt that was open in the front in a very chill vibe.He’s way too cool for me.
Hey, Kayden, if you want a chance with a man like Jace, you have to open your fucking mouth.
“Thank you,” I said to Jace as the bartender placed another drink in front of me.
“So far you’re a pretty cheap date, Kayden,” Jace said with a small smirk. “Have you been here before?”
“No,” I said, quickly looking around the room. “Have you?”
He looked like the kind of guy who fit right in here. He was probably completely at ease with whatever his own queerness was. He certainly wasn’t struggling to pick up whomever he was attracted to with a face like that.
“Yeah, it’s a cool spot,” he said. “My uncle owns a great speakeasy a few blocks away, which I like better, but it’s nice to come to a queer bar where you don’t have to worry if the attractive guy you’re sitting next to is into men. Right?”
I swallowed audibly. That was why I’d come here. “Right.”
Jace leaned into me slightly, calm and confident. “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question, Kayden?” he asked.
The scent of his cologne filled my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply. The way the light hit his T-shirt made it slightly see-through, and I was pretty sure his entire chest was covered in ink. My dick twitched.
He clearly has zero nerves about hitting on someone in a bar.
“Sure.” I shifted my upper body to face him.
That’s a universal sign of interest, right? Eye contact and facing them? I’d be better off tattooing “closeted baby bisexual” on my forehead for moments like this. Yes, I’m into men too, please ask me to go home with you.
“Are you here to experiment for the first time or are you in the process of working your way out of the closet?” Jace asked.
My jaw dropped and I stared at him; his green eyes locked on mine with so much self-assurance I wondered if Ihadaccidently tattooed my forehead. He’d read me like an open book.
I stifled a groan as I dropped my forehead into one hand and made eye contact again. “Please don’t tell me that I look so awkward I’m scaring guys away with my anxious vibe.”
