“So speechless is good?”
Taking the last step with a bit of blush pinking her skin, chin down, she grinned. “Yeah, speechless is good.”
“You have a favorite bar?”
“I do.” Ryn grabbed her purse.
“After you.” He held the door open.
Chapter Ten
The almost forty-year-old who had to pinch herself at least a dozen times in the car, received the ten minute summary of the sexiest and quirkiest guy alive. New York, parents died, and a string of temporary jobs was not what she imagined, but her history didn’t fit her either. At least she hoped it didn’t.
“What are you drinking tonight?” Jackson asked as she slid into a small dimly lit booth in the corner.
“Bloody Mary. That’s why I come here.” She pulled out her wallet.
“Don’t even.” He shook his head, walking to the bar.
After a few minutes of staring at his backside, she smiled to herself. He was right, her eyes were greedy. They wanted to be on him all the time. She looked away from him long enough to notice how many other sets of greedy eyes clung to his body. Then, as if her observation brought it on, several younger women moved in as though they were trapping him in their circle. One of them teased her finger over the cross tattooed on his arm. The twenty-something looked about Maddie’s age.
After breaking from the pack, the most sought after man in the bar found his way back to the booth.
“How great is it being you?”
He set her Bloody Mary down next to his beer then looked behind him at the predatory eyes still glued to him.
“Apparently not as great as being you.”
Ryn scooted over as he slid in next to her. Never before had a guy sat next to her in a booth when it was just the two of them. She glanced over at his growing fan club. They were all young, thin, and scantily dressed, which made Ryn feel every inch of her long, conservative skirt.
“I don’t think they’re jealous … I think they want to claw my eyes out, or maybe yours for being so blind.”
“Does my future wife need reminding that she’s the sexiest person in this place?”
An unavoidable laugh escaped. “Now you’re just being ridiculous. I’m not a self-professed wallflower, but come on … I’m not them.”
“Thank God for that.” He slid his hand through her hair and brought her mouth to his.
Another all-in kiss. The demanding stroke of his warm tongue temporarily dissolved all thoughts of the women watching them. The way he held her mouth to his, not giving a damn what anyone else thought, told all those wanton eyes that he was not available … at least not that night.
The hand that wasn’t holding her head rested high on her leg then eased up until just his thumb brushed her bare skin where her skirt met her shirt. Ryn’s hands stayed clenched at her sides. They yearned to touch him, grab him, possibly attack him. Therefore, she deduced it best to hold still and let him lead the way.
Jackson released her lips, leaving her waiting for the next breath. An eternity later it reappeared, and she went straight for her drink, guzzling it down to the very last drop. A stalk of celery, a straw, and a spear through an olive and baby pickle mingled with the ice in the bottom.
He stared at her with a shit-eating grin. “So you like the Bloody Mary here, huh?”
Taking a bite of the celery, she nodded. “Uh huh, it’s an in-house mix, the best tomato juice, fresh lemon, and a dash of bitters. And I’m going to need another pretty quick before we can talk about that kiss.”
He nodded to the waitress a few tables down. Her unapologetic gawking made it easy to get her attention. Miss Flirty Smile winked as he pointed to Ryn’s empty glass.
“I like kissing you. I think it’s fair to say it’s the highlight of my day.”
The pinch-me moments crashed into the shore again and again. Ryn could see them coming, but each time they knocked her down, pulling her under. “I’m not sure what that says about either one of us.” She took another bite of celery, wishing the bartender would hurry up with her drink. “Maybe we should talk about something else.”
He angled his body toward hers, resting his arm behind her while taking a long pull of his beer. “Okay then … tell me about your daughter.”
Maddie was a tricky subject, however, unavoidable.
“She’s studying law at Creighton. I can’t even begin to tell you how smart she is, too smart really, but our relationship has been strained over the past few years.”
“How so?”
The waitress brought Ryn’s Bloody Mary. It was a miracle that she didn’t spill it, with her eyes on Jackson and his tatted arms. “Anything else I can get you?”