Page 15 of Ruthless Wars

It’s not the woman’s abundance of natural beauty that draws me, though her tousled shoulder-length blonde waves and pouty, nude lips are hitting every last one of my must-fuck buttons. And it’s not that she’s alone—commanding an entire booth by herself in a bustling bar with nothing more than her stately presence.

It’s the faraway stare in her crystal-blue eyes. That, and the fact that I know her.

Well, I don’t know her, know her. But I’m about to.

With her ring finger naked and only one menu on the table, my cock takes a strategic pause as I notice her glass is practically empty.

The bartender tugs me from my gawking. “Hi, Coop. Your usual?”

“Hey, Jared.” With a slight nod, I beckon him closer and glance subtly in her direction. “What’s she drinking?”

With a knowing smile, Jared winks. “The blonde? Of course you’d pick her.”

Intrigued, I wait for whatever led him to his astute deduction.

“Well, that one just happens to be drinking your favorite.”

“No kidding. How about I get a bottle and another glass?”

“Coming right up.”

Quickly, Jared hustles to the end of the bar, shifting bottle after bottle before cocking his head. Resigned, with a noticeable shrug, he grabs one, returning with it and a lowball.

“Sorry, looks like we’re nearly out. This is the one I poured hers from. Probably enough for the two of you to share.”

Impressed, I blow out a long whistle. “Elliott’s Select. My kind of woman.” With a nod, I say, “Thanks. And put whatever else she’s had on my tab too.”

“She hasn’t had anything but that drink. I gave her a menu, but I don’t think she’s looked at it yet.”

High on life, I head to her table, undeterred that she seems oblivious to my presence. “Another glass?”

“Sure,” she says, not bothering to make eye contact. Instead, her gaze stays fixed on the bar. “And can I get a small bowl of cherries to nibble on? And maybe that guy on the end there. He looks delicious. And see about his friend too.”

“One bowl of cherries and something on the side for our little two-fister. Coming right up.” Amused, I turn to head back to the bar.

Frantically, she halts me. “Wait.”

Delighted, I turn back and ask, “Change your mind?”

Finally looking up at me, she takes a second before saying, “Oh no. They’re yummy. Definitely see what you can do. But, uh ...” She waves her empty glass at me with an angelic smile.

The sparkle in her bright baby blues leaves me speechless. Grinning with amusement, I pop a brow. “So, first I’m your waiter and now I’m upgraded to pimp. Next you’ll be making me your cameraman.”

“You’re not my waiter? Or a pimp? But just so we’re clear, you could be swayed to be my cameraman?”

Defiantly, I say, “I only shoot selfies.”

“It must be hard to get all the action in one shot.”

“What can I say? I have one hell of a selfie stick.”

“I’ll bet you do, Triple-A.”

Coaxing her with a tantalizing swirl of the bottle, I smile. “Well, this time, temptress, I exchange pours for names.”

With barely a second of a mental debate, she says, “Leave the bourbon and your glass. I’ll do the pouring while you grab me some cherries.”

For whatever reason, I do as she asks.

---