I cock my head, taking the small victory. “Good. Cheers then.” Clinking my bottle with her glass, we both take long sips. “So how many drinks would it take?” I wink, and when she blushes and laughs, I know she’s as interested as I am.
We talk for a few minutes before I ask Dan to get us another round, and he delivers, shooting me a shit-eating grin. When I narrow my eyes at him, he keeps quiet, knowing he doesn’t need to say whatever he’s thinking.
“So you’re meeting your sister here? Is she late, or are you early?” I inquire, my body turned all the way toward her now.
“Actually, I’m a little early. I didn’t feel like going all the way home and then coming back, so I came straight from rehearsal,” she explains, then plays with her straw, drawing her tongue in and out between her luscious lips.
Fuck me. It’s hard to concentrate when all I can imagine is that mouth around my cock.
I swallow, blinking and bringing my eyes back to hers. Sophie smirks, obviously aware of the way my body reacts to her. “What kind of rehearsal?” I ask, then take a long swig.
“I play the violin for the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera.” She looks down for a moment almost as if she’s embarrassed by it. Then when her deep brown eyes meet mine again, I notice a faint blush on her cheeks.
“That’s quite an accomplishment,” I tell her honestly. “Very impressive.”
“Don’t be just yet. I only got hired a couple of months ago after graduation, and they could still kick me out on my ass if I suck.”
“I doubt they would’ve hired you if you weren’t good,” I say seriously. “Getting paid to do your passion is pretty badass, though. I’m sure you’re amazing.”
Sophie bobs her head back and forth as if contemplating that, which makes me laugh.
“Yeah, you know you are.” I smirk.
“And what’s your passion, Mason?” she asks over the rim of her glass, her drink nearly gone. Taking a sip of my beer, I keep my attention on her, too afraid if I blink, she’ll disappear right before my eyes.
“If you must know…” I pause, finishing the last drops of my beer. “Helping people.”
Sophie arches her brows as her lips lift in a daring smirk. “Is that so?” Her mocking tone makes it clear she doesn’t believe it. “And let me guess? You volunteer in your spare time and donate to charity on top of it?”
Her condescending attitude has me barking out a laugh. Sarcasm sounds sexy as hell coming from her.
“Oh, sweet Sophie,” I muse, leaning closer and grabbing a strand of her dark hair. “Don’t confuse me with a saint. I’m a sinner.”
“A sinner in sheep’s clothing?” She arches one brow, her teeth biting down on that lower lip I want to taste.
I brush a finger over her cheek, then pluck her lip with my thumb. “Depends if we’re wearing any.”
Sophie’s breath hitches, and I feel the heat from her body against mine. By the way her chest rapidly rises and falls, I know she feels the electricity buzzing between us too. It’s hot, threatening to catch fire if I don’t kiss her soon.
I tilt her chin, bringing our faces closer, seeking permission to give us what we both want right now. When she leans in, I don’t hesitate to move my mouth to hers and kiss her sweetness. At first, I move slowly, but when she moans, my greed takes over, and I want her more than I need oxygen.
My hand wraps around the nape of her neck, feeling the softness of her skin as I slant my mouth over hers and deepen the kiss. Sophie flattens her palms over my chest, then fists my shirt as she brings us closer.
Then I remember we’re in public.
I break away, pausing inches from her mouth as I glance around. People fill the barstools, loud music plays, and chatter surrounds us. While kissing Sophie, it was easy to ignore it all because it felt like we were the only two people in the room.
“Do you wanna get out of here? Somewhere not so public?” I whisper loud enough for only her to hear.
She licks her lips, then looks up at me from beneath her dark eyelashes. “My sister is expecting me to be here.”
Oh shit. I look around for the guys but still don’t see Brandon or Liam. If Sophie asked me to, I’d totally ditch them—Lord knows they’ve done it to me plenty of times—but I can tell she doesn’t want to do that to her sister.
“Alright.” I nod, then stand. “Come with me then?” Holding out my hand, I wait as she looks at it for a few seconds before the corner of her lips tilt up and she takes it.
“Okay.” Sophie grabs her clutch, and I lead her around the bar toward the staff bathrooms. I know this place like the back of my hand, and though I’ve never taken a woman there before, I’m happy to have Sophie as my first.