I know all of this because, when the bartender came over, I took the opportunity to check him out, assuming he would be looking at the boobs in front of him. I was wrong.
Now, I can’t take my eyes off of him even though my cheeks are burning red with embarrassment. I notice his suit that conforms to his body, making it obvious that he doesn’t work here. His dark brown hair spikes slightly to one side, and I think there is a little red in it, if I look closely. He has a hint of a five o’clock shadow outlining below his downturned lips that seem just as intense as his eyes.
The whole time I’m taking him in, he doesn’t move. His expression never changes. I’m used to men at least smiling at me, but he doesn’t.
He’s older. I know that much. He has lines around his eyes that hint at him being older than me. I have no idea how much older though—maybe ten years, if I had to guess.
He’s intimidating.
His eyes don’t shift from mine until the bartender returns with our drinks, and he reaches into his pocket to hand the woman his credit card.
I glance at the bar and see two glasses of wine sitting in front of us.
“Thanks,” I say.
He nods and takes a sip of his wine. I do the same. As soon as the liquid touches my lips, my whole attitude toward this stranger changes. The liquid is amazing. No, it’s better than amazing. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. It puts the Cosmo I had the other night to shame.
“This is delicious.” I hold up the wine to my lips and take another sip.
“Good,” he says, seeming satisfied with my response.
I curiously look at him. “Why are you here?”
“Because I’m like every
other person on the planet who likes to drink and occasionally gamble his money away while looking at boobs.”
I smile bashfully when he says boobs even though he isn’t talking about mine. Mine are completely covered up, if you can even call what I have boobs.
He, on the other hand, still hasn’t cracked a smile.
“I meant…” I shake my head. I’m not going to ask.
“I’m intrigued by you. You’re beautiful, yet I detect a bit of insecurity in you for reasons that don’t make sense. You are obviously intelligent, if you are able to count cards, but you are used to your beauty helping you to cover up that intelligence, just like you did with your card counting. You seem sad, yet you’ve chosen to come to one of the most alive places on the planet. You have every reason to be confident, yet you act like a scared, innocent little girl. I’m just trying to figure out what you are doing here.”
I narrow my eyes at his rude comments. How could he have formed such a strong opinion of me in such a short amount of time? “Thank you for the drink,” I say as I stand. I’m not going to sit here and listen to a stranger insult me, not tonight.
He grabs my arm as I get up. “I didn’t mean that as criticism.”
“Seems like it to me,” I say cautiously as I stare where he is still holding my arm. I feel the heat transfer from his body to mine where he is touching me. It feels overpowering, like everything else coming from this man.
“Let’s try again. I’m Killian. You seem like a nice girl. I would love to hear over another drink how you became so good at blackjack and hopefully get some tips because I sucked back there.” This time, after he speaks, his lips curl up slightly.
It’s not quite a smile, but I can tell it’s pushing it for this man.
I smile brightly, hoping that if I smile, he will, too.
“I’m Kinsley,” I say, extending my hand.
He shakes it like it’s a business arrangement. I suck in my breath at his touch. His handshake is powerful and strong. It’s practiced, like he has shaken a million hands. I bet he can close business deals with just the strength of his handshake.
“And I would love more wine.” I take another sip of my wine, finishing it off.
He nods to the bartender this time, and she immediately comes over to him even though the bar is now full, and it’s not our turn to be served.
“Another?” the woman asks him, smiling brightly.
He nods. She winks at him before she goes to retrieve our drinks.