Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & Prey

I smiled and accepted my beer before passing him another twenty. He raised his brows at me quickly. “You sure? I mean, I appreciate it, but you’ve tipped me enough to drink for days.”

Ah, a good guy too. I’d have to tip him more.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m on the last day of my vacation,” I lied. “I didn’t spend nearly as much as I’d saved.”

“Cool, thank you, really.” He seemed relieved. It’s amazing what money could do.

“Where are you from?” A voice sounded behind me. Shit. I really didn’t want to have to deal with this. I decided to handle it quickly as the stranger slipped into the chair next to me to await my reply.

“I’m really not in the mood for company,” I countered as I took him in. He was decent looking, a good build with dark brown hair and a big smile, but I immediately brushed him off. “I’m sorry to seem so curt, but I just came to relax.”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” he said quickly.

“It’s my preference,” I assured him, my tone growing impatient. He nodded, still holding his smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes before wandering off. Four beers quickly turned into six as I watched the bar grow darker around me, all the while entranced by the lava forming and shifting in the large lamps. Realizing I was buzzed, I ordered a few things off their limited menu to try to sober up in lieu of calling Carson for my car. For some reason, I wanted to keep up my rouse to my new bartender friend, Dave, and didn’t want to break the illusion by being picked up in my town car. I was someone else today. No longer Nina Scott, successful entrepreneur. I was just Nina.

As the night continued on, the bar grew more crowded, and I found it harder to avoid unwanted conversation. Making my way to a small table in the corner next to the stage, I watched a trio of men in my age range set up their instruments. The stage was dark as they tested their sound system. When I realized I was sitting next to a speaker, I moved to gather my food as the first strum of a guitar rang through it. I looked up to see the stage light and knew my gasp was audible when I saw the man in front of the microphone. He was nothing short of drop dead gorgeous. I cleared my throat, trying to mask the fact I was choking on the carrot covered in hummus I had just taken a bite of.

“Check one…two.”

He nodded at the band, and they started playing at his cue. Reaching for the fresh beer Dave had just dropped off, I quickly downed it as I tried to pull myself together. I looked through my glass at the man mere feet from me as he started to play.

Jesus…Jesus! Sweet Jesus, he was beautiful! His body was toned, and his white t-shirt and cargo shorts clung to him like they worshiped him, a pair of well-worn Chucks completing his outfit. His slightly long, blond hair was styled in a spiky mess. I let my eyes drift over his perfectly sculpted, tan calves up to his muscular arms gripping his guitar. A leather cuff decorated one wrist and what looked to be a half sleeve tattoo adorned the other, partially hidden by the arm of his t-shirt. My eyes drifted up further to his neck, and I could see the strain as he began to sing.

That voice. I knew it. I sat frozen in complete and utter shock as he began to belt out an old Pretender’s song that I loved.

God, help me.

Closing my eyes, I downed the rest of my beer as Dave approached with another round.

“A shot, anything, something…” I trailed off as the voice and amber eyes focused on my table. “Strong, Dave,” I said as I averted my eyes. Dave chuckled as he noticed me visibly crumble.

Who knew I was a groupie?

“Dave.” I stopped him as he started to walk off. “Who is that?”

“That’s Aiden, the owner,” he said, nodding in his direction.

“Don’t look at him!” I said, quickly forgetting myself. The bar was still slightly empty, and I couldn’t stop staring at the stage. I felt my cheeks flame.

For fuck’s sake, Nina!

Dave took in my expression. “He plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“Oh, um, cool,” I tried to add with an air of nonchalance, even though it was anything but. Every word sung put me in a trance as I watched his skillful fingers pluck at the strings. After several minutes, I braved another look at his face. Luckily, he was roaming the bar with his eyes before closing them as he sang. When he reopened them, they met mine, and I grabbed my beer again, needing a distraction.

So much for sobering up.

He gazed down at me with eyes the color of freshly kindled flames. I’d never seen eyes of that color and was immediately transfixed by the fire smoldering within them. His face was perfect, cut from a cloth the likes of which I had never seen. The small amount of stubble on his jaw suited his style. He smiled at me then, causing my beer to slip out of my hands before landing loudly on the table. I corrected it quickly, managing to keep it from spilling. He smirked then looked away, working the filling bar with ease. He seemed completely comfortable in his skin, making me wonder what that must feel like. I took in his long lashes as he again closed his eyes, harmonizing effortlessly over the chords.

r />

Dave delivered my shot, and I downed it without hesitation before handing him a stack of twenties.

“Look, I really can’t keep taking these insane tips,” he said, attempting to push the cash back into my hand. I nodded absently, taking the money back without argument. I had no time to talk. I was busy…lusting after a guy singing at a bar.

What the hell, woman?

Quickly coming to my senses, I turned to Dave who seemed confused by my behavior.