“Daniello,” he rasped out with a thick accent. Maybe not Hispanic, but he didn’t look Italian, either. I couldn’t place it. But at that moment, that was the last thing on my mind. He was too perfect, too immaculate looking. This man wasn’t southern grown. I’d fucked enough southern beauties to know this man was in a league of his own. His thick, silky hair was beautiful and almost feminine, but he could never be misconstrued as that due to the sheer size of him. I guessed his height at least a foot and half taller than mine. His build was just a hair shy of monstrous. My eyes wandered to the sprinkling of dark hair that covered his wrist as his hand descended to the tumbler of amber liquid delivered to him by Tara.
I’d never been so intimidated…until that moment.
Fuck that, Taylor. Stick to order.
My eyes shot back up to him and I watched.
“Tell me what you were thinking,” he mused with a whisper of a smile that tilted his full lips. His eyes weren’t dark up close; they’d changed to a lighter, more iridescent brown. I was mesmerized.
“That’s privilege you are asking for,” I stated plainly, my eyebrows raised in challenge.
“It is conversation,” he whispered low, so low I had to strain to hear it. “Would you prefer I asked you where you are from and what you do for a living?”
“Are you really interested in those things?” I replied as I took more of him in. If I could change anything, I wouldn’t. Not a single fucking thing. His broad features were chiseled to perfection. His skin was a beautiful hue of deep bronze that made his eyes shine brighter in contrast. Penetrating eyes looked back at me as I decided to give him an answer to his original question.
“I was thinking we’ve been playing cat and mouse,” I said bluntly. He smirked and heat spread through my midsection. I loved his size, the intimidation factor. My imagination was on fire with the possibilities. If he could see how clearly attracted I was to him, I was fine with it.
The look in his playful eyes told me my gamble to finally stop our charade might pay off.
“And which are you, Taylor? The cat or the mouse?” The R of my name rolled off of his tongue and made my toes curl. Two things were clear to me in that moment.
I wanted to fuck this man.
And he would be very, very bad for me.
“You assume I’m one or the other. What If I’m both?”
He nodded as if he already knew my answer then turned to me before looking at the door where a few men were making their exit.
“Taylor, it was a pleasure meeting you.” He gestured at Tara who winked at me as he stood. Deflated, I looked up at him with a curt, “You, too.”
“I look forward to more of our game.” Before I had a chance to respond, he was walking out the door.
“I have to say, I have never seen a better looking man come through those doors. I have no idea how you remained glued to your seat. You aren’t even sweating!” Tara exclaimed as I drummed my fingers on the bar.
“He’s just a man,” I muttered as I finished my wine and pulled my wallet out of my purse.
“He bought your wine and the next if you’d like another one.” Tara had the bottle in hand, cork ready as I nodded a yes.
“Why not?”
“Green or red?” A man took the stool next to me. He was referring to the level of kink I was into, which no longer seemed appealing. Neither did the club I’d frequented for months in vain. It would be my last trip.
“Neither,” I said coolly, trying my best not to show my disappointment as all my nerve endings settled back into the dull thrum they’d become accustomed to.
“I can give you what you are looking for,” he whispered, too close for comfort.
“I’m not interested,” I reiterated as I picked up my wine.
“I could—”
“Hey, asshole, you know the rules. Move on,” Tara defended as I kept my eyes on my wine. Tara was as brazen as her clown-colored, red hair. Her right arm was covered in tattoos and she had a rough look about her, but her face was soft and feminine.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Tara as the space next to me emptied.
“Don’t give up, girl. You will find your man,” she encouraged. I was suddenly irritated at the weakness I was showing and was more uncomfortable than I could remember being in years.
Knowing I would never see Tara again, I admitted the truth.