and pick a label, but I’ll just take a house white.”
He gazed over her head—which wasn’t hard with his height—and called toward the bartender. “House white.” His smile widened and he stepped closer, just enough so that she could hear him clearly without feeling too crowded. “You don’t have to do a thing to impress me. Just one look at you, Green Eyes, and I’m honored you let me buy you a drink.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Kind of a cheesy line, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but is it working?”
“I’ll tell you after my drink.”
He reached past her shoulder and picked up the wine glass from the bar. Handing it to her, he shifted his body once more, providing a protective barrier against the jostling crowd. “Then I’ll just have to keep coming up with cheesy lines, hoping that one of them impresses you.”
Taking a sip, she smiled toward her wine glass. His body radiated warmth, and she was surprised she didn’t feel crowded. Somehow, he managed to stand close, his attention focused directly on her, and yet, she knew that if she told him to back off, he would. Taking another sip, it struck her—telling him to back off was the last thing she wanted to do.
Kyle had not been in the Celtic Cock long when he caught a glimpse of his sister, Caitlyn, and Bekki King as they were leaving. Giving quick hugs, he promised Caitlyn he’d make it to the family lunch on Sunday, knowing their mom would grumble if he didn’t. Having maneuvered his way back to his friends, he’d managed to squeeze into the group next to the bar. Just finishing his first beer, he waited for a lull in their conversation to tell his friends he was ready to head home when a soft touch landed on his back.
He instantly stiffened and jerked around, his gaze dropping as it landed on a beautiful pair of green eyes. Normally one to take in the whole package all at once, he found himself mesmerized until he noticed her gaze shifting over his body. Grinning, he took the opportunity to do the same with her.
Long honey-blonde hair hung about her shoulders. Her complexion was flawless, pale with rosy cheeks. A tiny mole was just to the side of her right eye, not distracting from her looks in the least but drawing his gaze back to her beautiful green eyes. Petite, she only came to his shoulders. He was not often attracted to short girls, and yet, with her sweet curves, gentle smile, and entrancing eyes, he couldn’t look away.
She had wanted to get past him, but his brain locked on how to keep her there when chance stepped in and he rescued her from a fall. He offered to buy her a drink, almost certain that she would turn him down. When she accepted, the shock that ran through her eyes indicated her acquiescence was a surprise to her as much as him. Hoping to drown out the noise, he turned his back on the crowd and leaned closer. He threw out a cheesy line, thrilled when her laughter met his ears.
As she sipped her wine, his gaze left her face only to scan the bar, but there were no empty seats he could offer her. Bringing his attention back to her, he watched her sigh and place her wine glass back on the bar.
“Thank you for the drink.” Her voice was cool, surprising him at her about-face, uncertain what brought it on.
“Don’t you want to finish it? I was hoping to find a seat I could offer you, but it looks like they’re all taken.”
She blinked and tilted her head to the side. “Oh. I thought you were looking for… well, um… I thought your attention was diverted.”
Brows lifted, he shook his head. “You thought I was stringing you along but keeping an eye out for someone else?”
“Something like that,” she murmured, her gaze dropping.
He pressed the glass of wine back into her hand and leaned closer. “I assure you, Green Eyes, you have my undivided attention.” The man sitting closest to her moved and she was jostled from behind. Kyle’s hand snapped out to give the man a push back, then realized he was leaving. As he and his date slid from their seats, Kyle shifted his body forward to keep anyone else from moving in. Inclining his head, he asked, “Can I convince you to sit with me?”