“Marley is at the other bar. Taron just left.”
I look across the room and see Marley sitting in one of the square leather chairs. Two women with long hair and slinky dresses are propped on each arm. They look like supermodels.
I take another sip of my drink. Oh. I feel my little balloon deflating.
“You’re here hooking up?” I don’t know what possessed me to say it out loud… Other than I’m dying inside.
His dark brow furrows attractively. “I don’t do casual sex.”
I love that answer and the way he says it. His gaze is so intense, it prickles down my spine.
“Me either.” That’s probably TMI.
The bartender interrupts our moment. “Miss? Your card.”
I don’t move until I realize Jerry is back. “Well, look who’s here.” He walks up behind me, and again, he puts his hand on my lower back, sliding it down to cup my a
ss.
“Watch it!” I step forward, right into Patton.
He catches me, those strong hands gripping my upper arms like before, and his dark eyes cut from me to Jerry. I can tell he doesn’t know what’s going on, but I want to stay with him. I don’t want to be with butt-grabbing Jerry. At the same time, I’m not in the mood for Marley’s antics.
Oh, shit. I ordered a Lyft already. “I have to go home,” I say to no one in particular.
Patton looks down at me, and I look up at him. “You have freckles.”
“Since I was a kid.”
Again, his dark eyes scan my face, and this time it’s like a caress. “You’re leaving?”
I hesitate a beat before I give up and nod. “I ordered a Lyft a few minutes ago. It’s probably here.”
“I’ll see you down.”
I grab my card, and we head for the elevator without another word to Jerry. It’s a short wait, and when we step inside, it’s just the two of us. My heart is beating so fast, it aches.
I glance up at him, and he moves closer. “You did good today.”
“It’s about time you said it.”
“You can’t just take a compliment.” His chin drops, and our breath mingles. It’s electric, and the little hairs on my arms and legs stand at attention.
I lean into him. A hint of whiskey is on his breath, and I’m intoxicated by it. I blink up to meet his eyes. They flare, and his hand grasps my upper arm, squeezing as he holds me.
“What are you doing?” I can’t tell if he’s angry or desperate.
I don’t know what I’m doing. I want him to kiss me. I want to know if this thing between us is real or simply fueled by the forbidden. Kiss me… the words whisper in my mind, desire tingles on my lips.
The elevator is dropping twenty flights, and my heart is flying through the roof. His eyes move to my mouth. He sways closer, and my eyes flicker shut. I feel the light brush of his nose against mine, the whisper of his breath on my cheek, and I put my hand on his firm chest. It’s happening…
The elevator dings, and he lets me go.
He walks out of the elevator, leaving me dazed and needy. I watch his broad shoulders, his back, that tight ass leaving me behind in a wilted puddle of lust. I feel like a fool.
Gritting my teeth, I turn my phone over and check the app. My car is supposed to be here—a red Honda Accord. He stops at the curb, looking up and down the street. I don’t give him the chance to say another word. I see my car, and leave him there as I hop inside and slam the door.
8