turned on? No wonder sex made people do crazy things.
“Well, Bliss, I’m new in town, and I’ve already locked myself out of my apartment. I’m waiting on a locksmith, actually, and I figured I’d put this spare time to good use.”
“By brushing up on your Shakespeare?”
“Trying to, anyway. Honestly, I’ve never liked the bloke all that much, but let’s keep that a secret between us, yeah?”
I was pretty sure my cheeks were still stained red, if the heat coming off of them was any indication. In fact, my whole body felt like it was on fire. I wasn’t sure whether it was mortification or his accent that had me about to spontaneously combust in front of him.
“You look disappointed, Bliss. Are you a Shakespeare fan?”
I nodded, because my throat might have been closing up.
He wrinkled his nose in response, and my hands itched to follow the line of his nose down to his lips.
I was going crazy. Actually, certifiably insane.
“Don’t tell me you’re a
Now, this.
“
“Ah. Fair Desdemona. Loyal and Pure.”
My heart stuttered at the word pure.
“I, um,” I struggled to piece together my thoughts. “I like the juxtaposition of reason and passion.”
“I’m a fan of passion, myself.” His eyes dipped down then, and ran the length of my form. My spine tingled until it felt like it might burst out of my skin.
“You haven’t asked me my name,” he said.
I cleared my throat. This couldn’t be attractive. I was about as sociable as a caveman. I asked, “What’s your name?”
He tilted his head, and his hair almost covered his eyes.
“Join me, and I’ll tell you.”
I didn’t think about anything other than the fact that my legs were like Jell-O, and sitting down would prevent me from doing something embarrassing like passing out from the influx of hormones that were quite clearly having a free for all in my brain. I sank into the chair, but instead of relief, the tension ratcheted up another notch.
He spoke, and my eyes snagged on his lips. “My name is Garrick.”
Who knew names could be hot, too?
“It’s nice to meet you, Garrick.”
He leaned forward on his elbows, and I noticed his broad shoulders, and the way his muscles moved beneath the fabric of his shirt. Then our eyes connected, and the bar around us went from dim to dark, while I was ensnared by those baby blues.
“I’m going to buy you a drink.” It wasn’t meant to be a question. In fact, when he looked at me, there was nothing questioning in him at all, only confidence. “Then we can chat some more about reason and… passion.”
Chapter Two
I couldn’t tell whether the burning sensation in my chest had to do with the hooded look Garrick was giving me or the remainder of my first Jack and Coke that I just downed like it was water.
A waiter arrived at Garrick’s beckoning, and I took a moment to give myself a silent pep talk while he ordered himself a drink.
“Bliss?” Garrick prompted.
His voice sent shivers through me.
I looked up at him, then at the waiter, who happened to be Bartender Boy from earlier. I opened my mouth to ask for another Jack and Coke, but Bartender Boy stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “I remember—Jack and Coke, right?”
I nodded, and he threw me a wink and a smile. I paused wondering for a second how he knew my order. I was pretty sure the girl bartender had served me last. He was still smiling at me, so I forced myself to speak. “Thanks, um…”
“Brandon,” he supplied.
“Thanks Brandon.”
He glanced at Garrick, and then focused back on me.
“Should I tell your friend up front that you’ll be right back?”
“Oh, um, sure, I guess.”
He smiled in response, and stayed there staring at me for a few seconds before he turned to head back to the bar. I knew I had to look at Garrick again, but I was terrified I’d melt into a puddle of arousal and awkwardness if I met his gorgeous eyes again.
He said, “You know, sometimes I wonder if Desdemona was as innocent as she let on. Maybe she knew the effect she had on guys, and enjoyed making them jealous.”
I met his eyes then, and they were narrowed, studying me.
I swallowed my nerves and studied him back.
“Or maybe she was just intimidated by Othello’s intensity and didn’t know how to talk to him. Communication is key after all.”
“Communication, eh?”
“It could have solved a lot of their problems.”
“In that case, I’ll endeavor to be as clear as possible.” He picked up his chair and placed it mere inches from mine. He slinked down beside me and said, “I’d rather you didn’t go back to your friend. Stay here with me.”
“Well, my friend is waiting. What will we do if I stay?”
He reached out a hand and pushed my hair over my shoulder. His hand skimmed across my neck, pausing at my pulse point, which must have been going crazy.
“We can talk Shakespeare. We can talk about anything you want. Though I can’t promise not to get distracted by your lovely neck.” His fingers traveled across my jaw, until they reached my chin, which he pulled forward slightly with the pressure of his index finger. “Or your lips. Or those eyes. I could woo you with stories about my life, like Othello does Desdemona.”
I was already sufficiently wooed. My reply was embarrassingly breathy, “I’d rather not parallel our evening with a couple who ended with a murder/suicide.”
He grinned, and his finger dropped from my chin. My skin burned where he had touched me, and I had to stop myself from leaning forward to follow his touch.
“Touche. I don’t care what we do as long as you stay.”
“Okay.” I was immensely proud that I managed a calm reply instead of the
“Maybe I should lock myself out my apartment more often.”
I’d prefer we locked ourselves in, actually.
My pocket started vibrating, and I rushed to answer my phone before my embarrassing boy band ringtone came on.
“Yes?”
“Did you fall in or what?”
It was Kelsey.
“No, Kelsey, I didn’t. Listen, why don’t you just head home without me.”
Garrick’s eyes darkened, and my breath hitched as his gaze dropped to my lips.
“You are not getting out of this, Bliss. You are getting laid tonight if I have to do it myself. “
