“A hot, single guy looking for a real relationship,” Poppy said, then realized she’d said too much. And Killian didn’t miss it.
“So I’m hot, huh?”
Like he ever doubted it, but she was saved from having to answer. “We’re here.”
She gestured to the bar, which appeared to be relatively busy. Not packed, but then it was early yet. As she recalled from her younger days, things didn’t really get hopping at the bars until after nine or so. She dropped her arm away from his, walked into the small courtyard area where café tables and chairs were set up in the warmer months.
But before she reached the concrete steps that led up to the entrance, Killian’s hand was back, cupping her elbow.
She glanced at his hand, raising an eyebrow. “I’m just going up some steps, I should be fine.”
He smiled. “Better safe than sorry, right?”
“But aren’t you afraid we’ll be mistaken for a couple?” Then she stopped and gave him a pointed look. “Wait, you said no one would make that mistake, didn’t you?”
CHAPTER 19
Why had she said that? Her comment sounded petty and jealous. Or worse yet, like some sort of challenge.
But it was out now, so all she could do was focus on why they were here. Finding him a woman. And maybe—maybe, chatting with a few men herself.
She looked around the pub, surveying the place. She’d walked by many times, but had never been inside. The atmosphere was quaint with brick walls and molded tin ceilings. A long bar made of glossy stained wood took up most of one wall. There were tables and chairs littering the rest of the room. At the far end was a spot for a band to play.
But the only music was from a CD jukebox mounted on the wall in the far corner.
And there was one thing there was no shortage of—women.
A large table surrounded by women was centered in the middle of the pub. And they had already spotted Killian, eyeing him like predators stalking their prey, hopeful and hungry.
Several leaned closer to say something, clearly about him. Then they smiled, white teeth and glossed lips glistening in the low light.
Poppy knew this was why he was here, why she was here with him, but she still found the ladies rather disturbing.
She glanced at him and found he was looking around, seemingly oblivious to the stir he was causing.
Then he touched her arm.
“Table or bar?”
Poppy blinked. He really hadn’t even noticed the pack of women licking their chops and getting ready to bring him down like a felled buck.
“Umm …” she said, noticing that the nearest empty table was dangerously close to the women.
“There are two seats right there.” She pointed to a couple of vacant stools at the end of the bar. “How about the bar?”
They would be a safe distance away from the waiting vultures.
He nodded and led her toward them. This time, he placed his hand on the small of her back, and even though she wore her jacket, she would swear she could feel the heat of his hand.
Imagination, she told herself, even as she shivered from the sensation.
“Cold?”
Not at all, but she nodded. “A little.”
Relief flooded her as she slid onto the barstool and away from his touch.
A bartender appeared.
Killian gestured for her to order first.
She was usually more of a coffee and tea drinker, but she did have the occasional wine with dinner. And tonight seemed like a good time for wine too. If she was going to have to watch scads of women vie for Killian’s attention, then she needed something to take the edge off.
“A pinot noir.”
The bartender listed a few brands.
“The first one,” Poppy said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
“And I’ll try the pale ale,” Killian said. He smiled when the bartender left. “Not a wine aficionado, huh?”
She smiled back, still feeling a little self-conscious. “Not really. I usually buy whatever wine has the prettiest or most interesting label.”
Killian chuckled, the sound rich and low. An amazing laugh.
“Yeah, I don’t know much about wine myself. I’m more of a scotch drinker.”
“Scotch—” She shuddered. “Now that I couldn’t handle at all.”
He laughed again, and Poppy was willing to bet the women at the table behind them would swoon at the sound of it. Poppy certainly felt a little light-headed.
And then there was his smile.
The bartender returned with their drinks, and she took a large gulp of the wine. Not her usual way of enjoying a glass of vino, but her nerves were already frayed. And they just got here.
“So, I think you have your pick tonight,” she said, turning on her stool to face the rest of the room. He did the same.
“Mmm,” he answered, but she couldn’t tell if he was impressed with the selection or not.
Then she remembered his aversion to blondes. Well, four of the ten were out of the running right off the top. And one had light brown hair with highlights, so Poppy wasn’t sure if she’d make the cut or not.
They were all pretty, though. And well dressed. Well, one of the brunettes was wearing something that looked a little trashy and desperate in Poppy’s opinion, but maybe Killian liked that look.
Poppy slid him a glance to see which one captured his attention, but he wasn’t looking at the table. He perused the bar instead.
Maybe none of the women were to his liking, which was too bad, because they were very much liking him. A couple of them stretched their necks like turtles, trying to catch his eye.
“Excuse me.”
Poppy looked over to see that a woman had come up on the other side of Killian. A sneak attack like a gator lunging out of the water to pull down a drinking deer.
Okay, maybe her animal analogies were getting a little out of control, but Killian was causing quite the reaction and the women here were definitely on the prowl.
The woman beside Killian was pretty. Prettier than a gator, to be sure. About the same age as Poppy with long, wavy hair. Auburn, which was good. Gray-green eyes. A black wrap dress that was sexy and stylish at the same time.
Poppy suddenly felt a bit frumpy in her sweater and jeans. But at least she wasn’t wearing one of her T- shirts.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but you look so familiar to me.”
She smiled to reveal perfectly white teeth. Definitely bonded. And as far as pickup lines went, well …
“Sorry,” Killian said, offering the woman a quick, impersonal smile. “I’m sure we haven’t met.”
She pursed her mauve-painted lips, thinking. “I was sure we had. Are you from around here?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Poppy had to admit she was enjoying this. Killian must not be interested in this one, because he definitely wasn’t giving her the reception she wanted. Unless he didn’t realize that he could have said they’d met on the moon, and this woman would have gone along with it.