“No, I don’t. But I’d like to,” he said softly. “And I know you’re honest, because you told me to fuck off today.”
I laughed, deciding to take the same approach now. Fuck today.
I released the pin holding my hair up and let all the red curls tumble down. I needed a break from my world.
“Ready for shot number three, delivery boy?”
He grinned and motioned for the bartender. “Bring it on, Red.”
One more shot, a handful of fries, and half a sandwich later, I was feeling good. Beyond good. I was actually laughing. The dull hum of depression and loss still thumped in the back of my skull, but between the tequila and Leo’s sexy smile, it was hard to focus on anything else.
Hours could have passed, and likely did, and Leo just sat there, talking with me. Nothing too personal, just enough surface conversation to get a grin and maybe a few brushes of my hands along his forearm.
And I’m pretty sure that last laugh was more like a giggle.
“Doing okay there, Red?”
I met his eyes, then looked at where my hand was . . . on his leg. Still on the same barstools facing each other, our legs woven together. The scratchy brush of his denim-clad knee grazed the inside of my thigh. It wasn’t a very ladylike position to sit in, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. And my flared skirt covered me enough so that I wasn’t flashing my panties at anyone.
“Yeah,” I breathed and scooted a little closer. Effectively bringing his bent knee within range of a very neglected part of my body. A part that was currently weeping for him. A part that had been wet since this afternoon when he walked into my world.
“You sure?” he said, but his voice was a bit rougher than it had been a moment ago. “You seem to be getting a little handsy.”
I slid to the edge of the stool, my center making blessed contact with his knee, and put my hands behind my back.
“My hands are nowhere near you, delivery boy.”
Something dark and wicked and so damn hot flashed in his eyes. Whatever was going on in his mind to make him look at me like that, I wanted to experience it. Right then. Everything about my life was in shambles, but in that moment, Leo was there, sex and swagger dripping from him, and I wanted to get lost in it.
I wiggled my hips again and gasped. It was pathetic how easily I could come and how desperately I wanted to. It had been a long time. Not only that, but a man like Leo was obviously skilled and knew exactly how to make a woman scream.
God, I wanted to scream.
He unleashed a sexy grin. “I’ve got to admit, you’re making me a little anxious, Red.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. Everything about Leo was laid back and calm. But when he started moving his knee, faster and faster, rubbing against me, I knew his intention.
“I don’t think anything can make you anxious,” I said. My eyes slid shut for a moment as his subtle ministrations sent me higher and higher. Between the close proximity of our bodies and my skirt hiding the majority of what he was doing, I didn’t care in the slightest that we were in public, at a bar, surrounded by people. Thank God I had opted for a billowy skirt today.
“In fact,” I moaned, “I think you’re the one making me anxious.”
“That so?” His voice was thick, yet playful.
I nodded. “I think you make a lot of women feel this way . . .”
“What way is that?”
Wanted. But instead of saying it out loud, my breath caught in my throat because I was climbing higher. The intensity of his presence and the way he was working my body was amazing.
“Red?”
When my eyes opened, I saw his gaze searing me. Grabbing my purse, I hopped up and stood in front of him between his legs. His pants looked a little tighter than they had a moment ago. I didn’t say anything, just kept his stare, then wove through the crowd toward the back. He followed. When I reached the ladies’ room, I opened the door and he followed me in.
Locking the door behind him, I tossed my purse to the ground, grabbed him by the belt, and yanked him toward me.
My back crashed against the wall and Leo crashed against my front.
“I want you,” I said, matter-of-factly, but there was a slight tremble in my voice and I wished there wasn’t. Because I did want him. So much. I wanted to forget everything, have one moment of peace and pleasure before the night turned into tomorrow and the real world came knocking on my door.