“I’m sorry,” I said. “Everyone is family here. I usually don’t get to sit and talk with anyone because of my work schedule.”
“Don’t apologize.” She licked at the side of her mouth where a little bit of ketchup remained. “I like it.”
I could tell she was feeling the warmth provided by the liquor. Her shoulders were relaxed, her smile less shy. Fuck me; she was beautiful. Gorgeous even.
“Well, good. I’m not sure it’s going to stop.” I pulled my napkin from my lap and reached over, wiping the ketchup she missed from her mouth.
The sensual gasp that left her had my cock waking up. When was the last time I made love to a woman? It had been far too long. And the next one I wanted sat right in front of me.
She gripped my wrist, and her smile turned a little naughty. “I wanna play darts.”
“Darts?” I laughed loudly. “You’re drunk as a skunk. There’s no way I’m letting you handle a dart.”
“I’m pretty good with pointed things.” She shrugged innocently and picked up her beer.
I just watched her in full curiosity. Something told me that a wild man like Harry had been quite taken with her in the bedroom. I was a little more ballsy than he, but it was a part of myself I was trying to leave back in my younger years.
Something about her made me want to let loose all over again though.
“You want some dessert?” I needed to change the subject before I dropped my morals and pulled her into my lap. Her cheeks were flushed, and I couldn’t tell if it were the alcohol or her subtle flirting. It most likely was a bit of both.
Or it was the naughty thoughts running through her head. I’d seen her watching me earlier when the food arrived, and the need in her eyes stained my soul. There was no way around the feelings building inside of me.
Right, wrong, or indifferent, she was going to be mine. But only if she wanted to.
“No. I’m so full.” She leaned back and in her chair and let out what sounded like a contented sigh. “This was exactly what I needed. A day of shopping, a great dinner, and a handsome man to help tote my bags.”
“Handsome?” I lifted my eyebrow and picked up my beer, watching her over the rim of it before I took a long drink.
“Oh, yeah.” She glanced around and leaned in as if she were about to dish out the truth to a secret she’d been holding in. Her voice was nothing more than a whisper. “So, you might not know this, but every woman in this bar has checked you out twice.”
I leaned closer, loving how alive and full of life she was. “I do believe, my dear, that they’re all looking at you.”
Her laugh was contagious. She clapped a few times as her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, that’s funny. Peyton keeps telling me that men are pigs and I should think about getting with a lady.”
“I’m going to have to ask you to excuse me for being less than a gentleman.”
Her eyes widened, and her expression faded as confusion seemed to set in. “Oh. What do you mean?”
“If you’re going to get with another lady, well, I’m going to have to watch.” I shrugged, took another drink of my beer, and smiled like a tomcat. “You don’t mind, right? I just want to make sure you do things right. It’s in your best interest.”
Her smile widened her pretty face again as she reached out and swatted at me. “Oh. Shit. I thought I had offended you.”
“Never.” I got up and reached for her, helping her off her stool. “Come now. Let’s get you home before you piss off all of the men in the pub.”
“By being your date?” She smiled up at me and slid her hand around the back of my waist.
I mostly held her as we walked toward the door. “No, pretty girl. By stealing their women.”
She laughed loudly again and curled up beside me, letting me guide her to the front. “Oh, I love it. I didn’t even think of that.”
Albert held the door for us and offered me a cheeky smile. “Take care of the woman, eh? And bring her back, for God sakes. She brightens up the place.”
I nodded. “I would agree, old friend.” I glanced down to Molly and smirked, the poor girl too drunk to stand up. “Molly, say goodnight.”
She sighed and glanced up at Albert dreamily. “Goodnight.”
“Night, lass. Enjoy your evening with this guy.” He reached out and patted my chest. “He’s the best of the best.”