glass to my lips and slowly looked right before turning left to see who she pointed out.
The champagne I’d been drinking almost slipped from my dropped jaw.
Holy. Shit.
Holy, sex on a stick.
“Jesus…”
“Right? God, what I wouldn’t do to feel that scruff between my thighs.”
I couldn’t even look away long enough to reprimand Raelynn.
“You should go talk to him.”
“Absolutely not.” I shook my head and faced her again. But adjusted my hips in my seat, so I could still sneak a few looks without being too obvious.
“Why not?”
“Because he looks…busy. I don’t know. I can’t just go up to someone in the middle of the restaurant and…and…what?”
“Please, sir,” she said in a British accent. “Can I have some more?”
I laughed, watching his hand drag through his black hair. His long fingers driving through the thick strands. When he turned enough for me to get a more direct look, I melted a little more at his full lips. They were lush and even more pronounced from the surrounding scruff. How could a man look so unbelievably masculine with lips like that?
“I can’t.” I shook off any ideas Raelynn tried to convince me to follow through on, coming back to reality. “Besides, he’s probably taken. He’s not exactly putting off welcoming vibes.”
She rolled her eyes. “You and your vibes.”
“You can tell a lot about a person based on the energy they put off. And not in an aura kind of way, but just the personality they portray. He hasn’t even smiled.”
He briefly glanced in our direction but was too far away for me to see his eye color; they’d looked like dark pools you’d get lost in. And not in the dreamy, good way. In the, fall into a dark pit of nothingness, hoping to find any light, only to find more darkness, kind of way. His dinner partner laughed, but the delicious stranger remained just as stoic.
“I’m getting the vibe that he’d put his all into fucking me until I forgot my name. With that scowl he’s working, he probably angry fucks and makes you question how you liked something so rough.”
“Uhhh…”
“God, he’s hot. Go up to him and just fall into his lap. You’re hot enough with all your lush dark hair and perky tits. You can blink those doe eyes up at him. He’ll be forced to find out if you’re as innocent as you look or if it’s all a scam to cover the true freak you are.”
I choked on an uncomfortable laugh, looking away to hide my blush. “I—I’m not a freak.”
At least I didn’t think so.
“That’s because a man like him hasn’t shown you that you’d do anything—even the freakiest shit—just to please him.”
I watched him a little longer. Taking in the elegant movement of his fingers gripping the glass, bringing it to rest on the lushest lips I’d ever seen. I watched the thick column on his throat move up and down when he swallowed, and I may have even moaned when he pulled the glass away only to be followed by the quick swipe of his tongue.
For a moment, I imagined being the bold woman Raelynn wanted me to be. I imagined strutting over there and falling into his lap, letting his strong arms catch me. I imagined his deep voice asking me if I was okay—asking me if I wanted to go home with him. I imagined saying yes.
“I can’t,” I said softly, forcing myself to look back at her.
“Ugh, fine. Help me finish this bottle, and I’ll make sure you get home with your chastity belt still in place.”
“So sweet of you,” I deadpanned.
Our food arrived, and I explained the argument I had with my father. I’d vaguely explained my family dynamics when we met, but I never brought it up in detail. I was away from home and wanted to pretend my life didn’t require me to live like we were ancient royals who used their daughters to barter with.
“I just wanted to work. I’d always known I’d eventually get married. I just thought I’d have more time. Maybe find someone on my own.”
“Then work,” she suggested, like it was the easiest solution in the world. “Maybe Camden is a slow learner and takes years to get to a place where he can focus on you.”
“I wish. My dad promised to blacklist me. If I try anywhere, they’ll recognize my last name and go to him for a reference, only to be told not to hire me.”
Her lips curled in disgust. “I’ll