Page 23 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Psalms,” he introduced himself, extending a hand.

As if it was contaminated, I gave it a quick glance. However, his eyes were beckoning for me and my thirst for their acquaintance wouldn’t allow me to leave them for too long. He nodded with a smile, understanding my hesitation. What he didn’t understand was the tsunami he’d begun between my legs.

“Your drink—ss.”

With furrowed brows, he questioned my choices. I ignored his judgmental stare and stalked the two drinks on the counter. My receipt sat next to them. Just as I reached for it, I watched it glide in the opposite direction.

“Don’t insult me Miss–” he paused, looking up at me with midnight black eyes.

Cold.

Calculated.

Curious.

Chemistry.

The first martini barely stood a chance. I gulped it in nearly two swallows. The man next to me had me parched.

He passed a card to the bartender who swiped it immediately and handed another receipt over.

“Do you speak?”

This time, the base in his voice heightened as his shoulders squared and his head tilted. Unlike the times before, he wasn’t asking for a response. He was demanding one. Still, I found the silent request rather comical. I danced to the beat of my own drum. If he hadn’t noticed it by now, then that was his mistake.Not mine.

“A challenge. Noted.”

I placed the second martini at my lips as I watched him pick up the pen. My presence spoke volumes. I hadn’t moved as much as an inch since encountering him. The only reason I grabbedmy drinks was because they put me in a much closer proximity. I was intrigued.

“I’m a woman who knows herself. Should I begin to entertain you, there won’t be enough time left in my day to see to prior obligations.”

“Is that right?”

“It is. If the bulge in his pants wasn’t so convincing, I’d sip a little slower and talk a little longer, but my chariot awaits.”

Chuckling quickly turned into a menacing, penetrating glare. I matched his intensity. With my eyes trained on his, I lifted my glass to my lips a second time. It wasn’t until the liquid touched my tongue that he broke eye contact.

As I thought.

I was a challenge he wouldn’t conquer. A game he wouldn’t win. A marathon he wouldn’t finish.

I watched his hand move swiftly as ink bled onto the receipt. TheSimmediately after thePsparked my memory. The one at the very end of his first name confirmed the prediction. I tossed the drink back, finishing it off as the revelation toyed with me.

Snap.

Snap.

I had to keep pushing. My left foot initiated my exit. Before it touched the ground again, a hand was on my elbow. I started for my purse, but quickly ditched the idea. This wasn’t a pressing matter and I didn’t feel threatened.

And, a man you find attractive trying to keep your attention isn’t exactly a reason to kill him. I reasoned.

“You hit my car with your door.”

I’m aware, Sonnie.

The handwriting was the giveaway.

“And, you had an opportunity to speak to me about it. You chose not to exit your car so I’m choosing not to give a fuck anymore.”

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