Bare Skin (Skin Deep 5)

Chapter 1

Calland

Damn.

That’s all I could think every time I looked at the woman. That and she sure wasn’t from around here, because I’d remember someone who looked like her. Especially with that red hair, those tattoos, a cute little diamond stud in her nose, and a piercing on her upper lip that I knew was called a Monroe.

And Jesus, when she’d touched my arm, I couldn’t help but cringe at the immediate dick twitch that occurred in my pants, which is something that hadn’t happened since I was young, just making my first forays into the world of backseats and the undersides of bleachers.

I waited patiently(ish) for a response from her.

With a sigh, she actually responded. “Dani. Dani Rose, and no. What now, Calland? More pickup lines?”

I scoffed. “No, I don’t use lines.” I grinned, winked again, then continued, “Don’t need ‘em.”

She snorted this time and shook her head before she delivered another burn. “And what’s with the winking? You got something in your eye?”

Mmm. Another dick twitch at that. Stunning and can hold her own…who the hell was this girl?

“So, Dani Rose, can I buy you a drink? No lines, no come-ons, just a chance to talk to you.” I stepped back from the bar and spread my arms wide, turning in a slow circle. “See? Just me. C’mon…what are you drinking?”

She sighed and swiveled back to the bar, and I took her silence as confirmation. Whether or not I assumed too much, well, guess I’d just have to wait and see. I sidled up beside her again, perching on the edge of the vacant stool next to her and nodded to Griff. He smirked and shook his head before he nodded, letting me know he’d get her whatever she’d already been drinking.

Once he’d slid the fresh drink in front of her, I sat back fully on the stool, letting the silence draw out between us.

“I’m still not sleeping with you,” she muttered at my side, right before she picked up the new drink and gulped it down.

The corner of my mouth quirked up in a smile. It wasn’t a win, but I’d take it. She turned her head and, though I tried to hide it, she still caught my smile.

Shaking her head, she started running her finger around the rim of her glass, ceaselessly circling.

Finally, I couldn’t stand the silence anymore. Not to mention, I’m a smartass. I know it, my family knows it, my friends know it…it’s ingrained in my DNA or something. Just a fact. But that’s exactly what it took to get what I wanted.

“So, you think I’m hot, huh?” I stretched back with my arms over my head, grinning as her head jerked my way, her eyes opening in shock before she gave it to me.

Her lips parted in a surprised smile and a small laugh bubbled from her lips, and I swear I’d found nirvana for that split second. It faded almost as quickly as it came, but it was there. And holy hell was it beautiful.

She coughed to cover it and replied, “Uh, when did I say this?”

I leaned forward, putting my elbows on the bar in front of me before I answered. “You said you didn’t have time for every hot Tom, Dick, or Harry. We’ve established that I’m Calland, but clearly, you think I’m hot. And a stud. Not to mention, you blatantly said I was a good looking guy.” I paused for a second. “Do I need to go on?”

She raised her eyebrows at me. “I’ll admit, yes, I said those things, but if you can go on, then you’re totally lying. I didn’t say anything else along those lines. And I thought you weren’t gonna try any lines on me. Not a man of your word, Calland?”

I cocked my head. “What lines? I’m definitely a man of my word, and I haven’t used any lines on you. Why, though? Are my non-lines working?” I waggled my eyebrows at her exaggeratedly and was rewarded with another small smile. This time, I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat. Which was weird, because I usually didn’t get all hit in the feels about shit like that.

She sighed again. “You’re smooth. Definitely smooth. But no.” She glanced at the clock on the wall behind the bar, reached into her pocket, and threw a couple bills down on the bar, nodding at Griff. “Well, it’s been real. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

With that, she slid off her barstool and turned to go.

My hand shot out of its own accord, carefully wrapping around her arm and pulling her back around to me. “Wait.”

She stared at me, shifting from foot to foot, and I got the feeling I was making her a little uncomfortable so I let go, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “Sorry. I…just sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say, but I couldn’t seem to just let her walk away.

Needless to say, I was taken aback when she jerked her head toward the door and asked, “Walk me out?”

I nodded once and followed her out the door after hastily adding my own stack of bills to the counter to take care of my tab. We stepped out into the dimly lit parking lot, but she didn’t pause in her strides. Instead, she strode up to a newer model car and stopped after hitting the locks open, turning to me at last.

“Thanks for walking me out. It was nice meeting you, stud.” She smiled briefly, her eyes shining in the moonlight, only increasing the impact of her beauty.

“You, too. So…” I hesitated, searching for words. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was unsure of myself. “That’s it? Just nice meeting me? I’d like to see you again.”

She sighed, but remained silent.

“Where are you staying and how long will you be here?” I felt like a broken record, like I’d already asked these questions a million times tonight, though I knew I hadn’t.

Without a word, she pulled open her car door and slid inside, starting it automatically. I stood there, waiting. For what, I wasn’t sure, but I was glad I did as the window slid down.

“I’m staying where I’m staying. As for how long I’m staying, that depends on if I find who I’m looking for, and how fast I do it.”

I felt my eyebrow raise in question, but she wasn’t giving me anything else. “How about a number I can call you on?” I asked, but only received a smirk in return. “Fine, then. You call me.” I rattled off my number to her.

She nodded and moved to put the window back up.