Page 18 of The Charmer

"Fucking finally!" I exclaimed. I turned around to look at Georgie, but she was already crouching on her haunches, gathering glass with her bare hands. "Georgie, stop. I'll get a broom."

"I'm really sorry for this." Her voice was shaking slightly.

I lowered myself catching each wrist with my hands. "For what? The kiss? Because I'm not."

She finally looked up at me, biting her lower lip. Her pupils were dilated. Her body language told me she didn't regret it one bit. In fact, she might even want another one, but she sighed. "I’m sorry. I can’t process it. This was... He always throws me off my game."

"I thought we'd return the favor. That’s why I kissed you." Among other reasons, like I’ve wanted to kiss you since the last time I saw you.

She grinned. "It was a good one."

"Let's get up. I don't want you to get cut."

One of the guys was already coming our way with a broom and dustpan. Rising to our feet, we stepped out of his way to allow him to clean up.

"I'm really sorry you had to witness that," she murmured.

"Georgie, stop apologizing. It's not your fault."

"I disagree. My silly ex came into your bar and started making a scene."

"Kyle likes to attract attention to himself. Doesn't matter if it's good or bad."

Her eyes widened. "You know him well."

"More than I'd like to. Want another Sazerac? You didn't get to drink much of the second one."

Some of that vibrant energy had slipped back into her eyes, but she wasn't nearly as ecstatic as she'd been when she first came into the bar. I fucking hated that moron for bringing her to this state.

"I think I’ve had enough alcohol for the day. I had some food, but I’m not sure if it was enough."

I leaned in close. "Wanna here a secret? We've got beignets."

Her eyes widened. "What? Oh my God, where? Why didn't you say that?"

I laughed. Yeah, that did it. The light was back in her eyes. She was starting to forget about that idiot. I had half a mind to have him escorted out of the bar, but that would cause a huge scene that we didn’t need.

"We keep them a secret and sort of push them on people who can’t hold their liquor too well."

Georgie was laughing in earnest now. "I see. You think I'm drunk."

I grinned. "Nope. I just want to spoil you."

"Well, I never say no to beignets. Does anybody in New Orleans? It’s mandatory to love them."

The smile she flashed me made me want to go to Café Du Monde and buy her beignets every damn day. "You’ll have to come in the back with me for that. We haven’t brought them out yet."

"Sneaky beignets. I like this more and more."

I put my arm around her shoulders, bringing her close as I led her to the back.

"Just in case he's watching," I explained, and she instantly tensed.

"Good thinking."

That was absolutely not the only reason. I simply wanted an excuse to touch her.

Right before we stepped into the back room, I looked behind me, surveying the crowd. Sure enough, that fucker was checking us out. Fantastic.

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