“I think it’s time to go.”
“What’s going on over here?”
Adelina turned to see Flynn and Jett join the conversation. The women all went gaga over them and then Tess grabbed onto Flynn, her large, bandage-covered nose and two black eyes were horrible looking. Flynn crunched his nose together and Jett chuckled then glanced at Adelina. But Adelina was annoyed.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Flynn. I called and left messages, but I think she deleted them, and that bartender, too.”
Adelina was disgusted with Tess’s act, and the way she clung to Flynn. She felt her temper rising again, and as she reminded herself about their disinterest in her, she felt the hand on her shoulder.
“Adelina?”
She recognized the voice immediately. She turned and looked up to see Raymond. She knew she must have appeared as shocked as she felt, as Raymond leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“You look stunning. How is the hand?” he asked her, as he held her gaze.
She was so surprised to see him there. Initially she felt embarrassed and as she turned to look at Flynn who had Tess practically climbing up him and two of her friends holding Jett’s arms on either side of him, she dismissed the whole scene. Turning back toward Raymond who seemed to be in a staring contest with Flynn, she took his arm and led him away from the scene. Now this would be the distraction she needed.
“So, it’s such a nice surprise, you being here. Where are your friends?” she asked, looking around, and releasing his arm now that they were a distance from the soap opera situation.
Raymond smiled at her and then winked. She felt her belly flutter with interest.
“I kind of lied about coming here with friends.” He reached out and bushed his thumb gently against her chin as he held her gaze. “I couldn’t get you out of my mind after we met today.”
Adelina felt her cheeks warm, and as a group of people passed by, Raymond pulled her closer to him and near the bar. She was lost in the crazy sensations and hopes that were filtering through her head. This was what she wanted. A man who paid her complete attention and whispered sexy things like this to her.
His hand remained on her hip, as his arm leaned on the bar. He pulled her closer to him, since the music was loud. He smelled so good, too. By the looks of his dress shirt and designer jeans, the man had money. His accent was the kicker though.
“You look stunning, all dressed up. I spotted you from across the room.”
She raised one eyebrow up at him. She may be completely turned on by the accent, but she wasn’t born yesterday.
“Perhaps it was the bandage?” She raised it up. He reached gently for her bandaged hand and placed it against his chest, as he held her gaze.
“Definitely not the bandage. I told you, Adelina, that I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“You did mention that.”
He gave a sly smile. “You don’t believe me?”
“I’m a born and raised New Yorker. What’s your deal, Raymond?” she challenged him. His grip on her waist tightened as he jerked her slightly against him. She gasped, as he pressed his nose and lips against her ear.
“You turn me on. You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve seen in a long time. I want to get to know you. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
She locked gazes with him. Inhaled his cologne, and felt the attraction. The moment she thought that in her head, she imagined Jett and Flynn. She wanted them still so badly. They did things to her body without even touching her. But they made themselves clear. Especially tonight. They saw her as nothing more than their club manager. It was time to take a chance on something new.
“Say you’ll have dinner with me Sunday night? It’s your night off.”
“I don’t know you.”
“That’s the point, and I’m trying to change that fact.” He gave her hip a squeeze. She felt his palm slightly over the top of her ass, but the fingers hadn’t quite moved a hair lower. She was surprised that she wanted him to.
“Okay. But how about I meet you?”
He raised one eyebrow up. “Can I send my car for you?”
“A car?”
He gave a small smile. “Of course. It’s not a problem, and you can tell the driver when you want to leave if you’re not enjoying my company.”