Page 3 of Love Like Lightning

He shakes his head, seeming just as weirded out by the comment he made as I am. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that. I meant to say that your job sounds interesting and that you must be really smart. I seem to be off my game tonight.” A coy smile tugs at his lips, and a soft blush spreads across his cheeks.

He looks genuinely flustered, and it sounds like he usually has far better game than he’s exhibiting right now. Maybe that’s why I continue to indulge him.

“Let’s just start over. What do you do for work?”

“Just the resident handyman. Nothing too exciting. Not like what you do.”

Exciting? I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten that response from someone when I told them what I do. It surprises me, but I’m sure if I went into any more detail, he’d probably change his tune.

Betty wanders over and places his card on the bar in front of him, glancing between the two of us with interest in her eyes. He picks up the card, signs the receipt, and slides the card back into his wallet, but he still doesn’t take his drinks and return to his friends.

“Don’t you think your friends will be wanting their drinks?” I’m fighting against a very small part of me that wants to continue this conversation. A much larger part of me knows that I’m not here to talk to a hot local and keep him from his night out.

Maybe I could be the kind of person who gets over a breakup by distracting myself with someone new…

“Nah.”

“Nah? Are those drinks not for them?”

“I’d much rather be here talking to you.” His eyes never leave mine, and the intensity in them ratchets up a notch.

“Yeah? Do you regularly abandon your friends in favor of chatting someone up?” The question comes out of nowhere. I don’t usually talk like this, but when there’s a flicker of true interest in his eyes, I like it.

“Not always, but when the person in question is pretty and seems interesting, I might make them wait a little longer than usual for their drinks.”

“Really?” Something possesses me to play along with his little flirtation. “So you’re saying I’m pretty? And interesting? How could you possibly know that I’m interesting?”

His smile grows, and he shifts closer to me. “Well, I could always find out if my guess is true. I’m definitely interested.”

He’s…interested? My heart beats hard in my chest, and a blush warms my cheeks.

Oh. Nope.

“Listen, I appreciate it, but maybe you should return to your friends.” I lean away from him, aware that my body has been naturally gravitating toward him.

He immediately takes a step back, giving me some much-needed space. “Hey, sorry. I know I’m a flirt. If I made you uncomfortable, I didn’t mean to.” His smile finally dims, and the sight of it actually stings a bit. He gathers the drinks in front of him in both hands and tips his head in goodbye.

“Wait.” I reach out and touch his sleeve. When he turns, my fingers brush against the warm skin of his wrist. Lightning whips through me, burning me up from the inside out, and I bite back a gasp.

Pulling my arm back, I try to wipe the shock of the reaction off of my face. “I’m sorry. I just came here to be alone and have a few drinks. I don’t mind the flirting. But I also don’t want to keep you from your friends. And I just got to a good part in my book. It’s bad timing, is all.” I don’t add that the bad timing is further complicated by the fact that I’m off men for the foreseeable future. And that I’m flying back to Boston tomorrow.

“You’re probably right. It’s my brother and his girlfriend’s going away party tonight, and I really should be getting back. But…” His lips quirk up again.

“But?”

“But I’d like to see you again.” His eyes widen slightly, and there’s definitely a subtle suggestion in his words.

I should feel affronted by his boldness. I should say no immediately. I shouldn’t even be considering his offer. But that awareness from before returns in full force, and my entire body sizzles under his stare.

“Ah, last night in town, unfortunately.” I don't even have to feign the frown. Somewhere deep inside, I'm disappointed that I don't have another day in town to get to know this guy.

Right, because that’s what he wants to do. Get to know you.

“I'm staying at the bed and breakfast.” My cheeks heat at my impulsive admission. A buzz of recklessness zips through my veins. I don't know if it's just the tequila, or if maybe this man inspires it, but it feels wild.

And I like it.

That grin that slipped away just moments ago is back and brighter than ever. “Well, maybe we'll run into each other a little later on…” He looks at me expectantly.

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