“Are you not used to men using the words‘dick’ or ‘fuck’ around you?” he asked.
“I’m used to it.” At her old job, she heard it, and a whole lot more. To most men, she’d been invisible, so they would always be crude or rude, and it never bothered her.
“Oh, so the little knitter has a dark side.”
“Look, I came here to have a drink and maybe meet someone. Could youplease leave me alone?”
Hewas the only man that had intrigued her in her twenty-nine years of life. If he stuck around, then she would find it increasingly difficult to ignore him.
Her mother wanted her to do something.This was her attempt at doing it. Nine years after the fact, but at least she was attempting it.
“Iam someone,” Ruin said.
“Are you drunk?”
“Not a chance.”
Thebartender slid her drink across the desk, and told her an eye-watering price. She was not staying for a second drink, but she paid it then held onto the stem of the glass. The glass didn’t even look full. It didn’t matter. She was here to have a good time and meet people, and then she could leave.
“I’m someone, Callie, and I have to say, I’m very interested.”
He leaned in close and she gasped as his nose stroked across her cheek.
“Has anyone ever told you that you smell so good?”
She nibbled her lipand Ruin leaned back.
“I’m guessing not.”
“Do you even need me to talk during this chat?” she asked.
“Meow, the kitten has claws.”
She couldn’t help but smile, even if he was insulting her. He was funny.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
She looked down at her drink. “I can’t leave it.”
“I’ll pay for a new one.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Callie, do you want to dance? Do you want to meet someone? I’m right here, offering to meet you.”
She licked her lips, and that was the truth.He was here, in the flesh, away from their group. He did know she was a virgin, so that awkwardness was out of the way.
The wine didn’t appeal.
She got to her feet and he took her purse. “Frank will look after it.” He passed it to the bartender, who merely nodded his head.
Callie knew she should refuse and keepthe purse with her, but he sounded so convincing. She didn’t see a reason to turn him down.
Ruin heldher hand, leading her onto the dance floor. There were so many reasons why she shouldn’t be doing this, but she could think of only one reason she was. She wanted to.
Ruin wasn’t polite.He placed his hand at the base of her back and pulled her in close. Callie tilted her head back, a little shocked by how rock-hard his body was as he held her.
“Are you okay?” he asked.