“Well, I say it calls for a celebration. So cheers!” she exclaims, holding up her cupcake and waiting for me to return the gesture.
Fighting a smile, I lift the dessert and barely touch it against hers while I mutter the word, “Cheers.”
She starts carrying on about something again, but her words are suddenly falling on deaf ears. This cupcake is incredible, considering it was made in a bar that serves lukewarm beer and mediocre appetizers.
“I didn’t know they served cupcakes,” I remark, greedily licking the icing from the top. It’s sinfully sweet and I swear my eyes roll back while I savor the delectable treat.
Charli just laughs at me while I continue to devour the miniature confection.
“Why haven’t we been ordering this all along? Who fucking knew?” I say, peeling down the cupcake holder and sinking my teeth into the side of it.
Groaning, I close my eyes and chew slowly, not ready for the experience to end.
“Don’t look now,” Charli says, disrupting my trance, “but there’s a guy near the bar who can’t take his eyes off you.”
Before I have a chance to take a peek, she gasps and I feel the warmth of someone’s presence near my shoulder.
“Oh my,” Charli’s eyes widen and I’m at a loss until the figure comes to a stop beside our table.
Before anything else, forearms covered in thick muscles and tattoos fill my line of vision. Then my gaze trails upward until I’m staring Andrew Knight in the face.
What the hell is Andrew doing in a bar like this? He doesn’t look out of place by any means, but it still seems beneath him.
Twinkling eyes regard me as he gives me a mischievous smirk.
Jesus, the man is scrumptious.
And he’s looking better now than he did at the office today.
“Evening, Lilah. Introduce me to your friend,” he commands. His eyes never leave me as I stammer through the introductions.
Charli then excuses herself for the bathroom, deserting me to deal with this mountain of a man. And I’ll be damned, but I want to climb him, exploring every last inch.
“I never knew it was possible to be jealous of an inanimate object until tonight, Lilah.”
“What are you talking about?” My voice has grown raspy and breathless.
Andrew stuffs one hand in his pocket as the other one rubs his bottom lip, drawing my attention to its fullness.
Damn him!
His scent is rich and woodsy. I immediately try to place it. Sandalwood?
Andrew glares at the plate in front of me which holds the remnants of my cupcake and I suddenly get it. I’d definitely put on one of hell of show. Not that I knew he was watching.
“Was it as good as you made it look?” He looks all too interested in the answer and a wave of triumph assails me.
He’s affected by this crazy intense attraction between us, too. Good.
Teasingly, I scoop up the rest of my dessert and extend it in his direction. Dark blue orbs flicker dangerously. Then he takes it from me and wraps his strong fingers around my wrist. His grip is strong but not forceful. Pulling my hand to his face, he whispers something lowly and despite the ruckus in the bar I can hear him loud and clear.
“Don’t tempt me, Lilah.”
Then his hot tongue is licking the icing from my fingertips as I stare, transfixed by what’s happening. I feel like a spectator watching myself experience it all in slow motion. He finishes with a kiss to the center of my palm before turning to leave.
Six
ANDREW
Lilah Tucker is driving me insane and she doesn’t even know it.
It’s been three days since I found that damn leaflet in my mail and two since she pulled that little stunt at the bar. I hadn’t intended to lose my cool and touch her, but damn it she was practically begging for it.
As soon as my lips touched her, those enchanting eyes nearly slid closed, letting me know I had her right where I wanted her. My mind hasn’t stopped racing with thoughts of her since, but I’ve been good and kept my distance.
That ends tonight.
Lilah isn’t aware of it yet, but she’s coming to an art show with me tonight. A friend of mine is hosting the event. I’d normally pass on bringing a date for fear of them getting up their hopes. But something about Lilah won’t allow me to keep her at arm’s length.
Besides, this date will bring me closer to my ultimate goal. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll both be satisfied and smiling by the end of the night.
Before exiting my room, I decide to switch it up and take my Aston Martin for a spin tonight. Snatching the keys, I head for the garage more determined than ever to check Ms. Tucker off my list.
***
Finding her place is easy enough based on the information sent to me earlier today.
Parking, I rest my eyes on the building in front of me and frown. Given her career, the place seems a little rundown. It’s visibly old and my guess is that it’s falling apart inside.
The interior is just as dated as I expected. There’s no piss in the stairway but the paint is chipped and the reeking smell of cigarette smoke is thick. The walls are as thin as paper. I hear snippets from her neighbors’ conversations as I walk through the halls trying to find the unit number I memorized earlier.
At her door, loud music seeps into the hallway. It sounds like Carlos Santana. With a lazy smile, I picture her dancing to the Latin beats. My knuckles rap firmly against the door twice. Then I wait.
Seconds pass before the music lowers and I hear footsteps coming to the door.
“Who is it?” She calls through the wooden barrier.
“Andrew,” I say simply.
Silence greets me on the other side of the door before
