Page 4 of Break Out

He brought his left hand up to stroke his chin. No wedding band on his finger… though he wore two very thick, heavy-looking gold rings on his index and middle fingers. What was wrong with me? Why did I care about a wedding ring? He had a good eighteen years on me, and I’d just been dumped.

His deep voice cut into my thoughts. “Don’t know your name yet. I noticed your jade necklace. The name Jade suits you. Great piece, by the way.”

I blushed and grabbed my jade dragon out of habit. “Thanks. It’s one of my favorites.”

He kept staring at me and I couldn’t tear my eyes from him. Heat gathered in my belly.

He should scare me, but I couldn’t remember ever being so attracted to someone.

The soft thud of a glass hitting the bar in front of me interrupted the moment. I turned to see the bartender walking away, a high-ball glass of amber liquid sat on a cocktail napkin.

I grabbed the glass. Thick, warm fingers curled around my wrist. The warmth of his fingers practically seeped into my skin and that warm sensation shot straight to my breasts.

“It’s not a celebration without a toast,” he said.

I twisted my body an inch toward him. “You’re right.”

He let go of my wrist and picked up his glass which was half-full. “To great pieces…” He paused while his eyes went to my necklace. He continued, “And higher education.”

The inuendo in that toast had to be in my head. It was a very bold and sly toast, even if it bordered on being crass.

I clinked my glass to his. “Cheers.”

I took a huge swig of whiskey and swallowed. That burn was like nothing else and boy, did it cure what ailed me.

The man sitting next to me helped, too.

He leaned toward me and nudged my shoulder with his. “Not judging here, Jade, but Jack was made to be sipped.”

I smiled. “It’s not all gowns and tassels in my world…” I paused, trying to find a decent nickname for him on-the-fly, but I failed at shit like that. Finally, I said, “Handsome.”

He chuckled. “You think I’m handsome?”

With a pointed look, I pursed my lips. “Like you don’t know. But, I don’t know your name either.”

Warmth filled his eyes. “Steel.”

I looked at him expectantly. “That’s it? Is that your first name or last name? Or is that some sort of dramatic intro? Steel… Jim Steel.”

He huffed out another chuckle. “No, Jade. Everyone calls me Steel.”

I dragged my fingernails under my chin to scratch an itch. Steel seemed like a road name for a biker, but that was ludicrous. For one thing, he wasn’t wearing a cut, and the Harley dealership was out near I-75 with plenty of hotel options nearby. For another thing, I sensed he was here on business – and not of the biker variety. The name fit him though, and it was a common last name.

After a moment, I nodded. “Okay, Steel. I’m Simone.”

He nodded slowly. “Gorgeous name. From what you said, you’re not just celebrating.”

I shrugged and sipped my drink. “Pretty much, but the more I think on it, I’m pretty sure a lame break-up is worth celebrating more than my degree.”

He looked at me askance. “You got dumped?”

I nodded and finished my drink. “It was a slow dump, too. Which makes me feel like a dumbass.”

Steel scoffed. “He’s the dumbass.”

The bartender brought out a plate of wings for Steel and put my plate of pizza in front of me. He spied my empty glass. “Another Jack Daniel’s Honey or something else?”

I nodded and handed my credit card to the bartender.

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