Page 2 of False Introductions

I knew I was onto something when he suddenly dropped his gaze. Is his hand shaking?I hid my smirk as he picked up his glass to avoid answering me. After taking a gulp, his eyes popped wide open. He grabbed for a napkin, spluttering and choking.

From my periphery, I could see other patrons turning in their seats to see what all the commotion was about. I didn’t even try to hide the devious smile on my face. Holding out my hand I said, “I’m Sophia, by the way.” I wasn’t supposed to be in town, so I used a false name—just to be safe.

“Charmed.” Reese, still coughing, gripped my hand. Although his touch was gentle, I could feel the strength in his powerful grasp.

A little chill ran down my spine, but I managed to hide the shiver, as I relocated myself to a seat that was closer to him. Although I needed to go upstairs, I was enjoying having a laugh with this man—who I now deemed infinitely more interesting than just a handsome face. Sure, he still had that sensual smile and sexy suit, but my initial assumption about him being a typical player who frequented bars to pick up chicks was changing.

“Now, tell me,” I demanded. “What was with all the take out?”

“No.” Reese arranged himself back into his seat. “You tried to poison me.”

“If you can’t handle it, I’ll drink this and we can order you a pussy drink.” I reached for his glass, bringing it to my lips as my eyes never left his. This was fun. Something I hadn’t had in a very long time. I recognized the relief it brought from the self-imposed stress about the meeting tomorrow. Although I fully intended to work late into the night, I wasn’t going back upstairs until I had my answer. “I’m thinking a fuzzy navel is more your speed.”

“Bah!” he guffawed. His eyes, however, narrowed, then he shot a glare at the bartender who came over our way with a fresh tumbler of whatever Reese had originally been drinking. “You were supposed to be on my side, man.”

“Don’t blame Milton.” I pressed my fingers onto his forearm, “Now, why won’t you tell me?”

2 Karter

How did I wind up so lucky?I was staring into a big pair of dark brown eyes, which belonged to a sassy little hottie. My teeth pulled in my bottom lip as I considered telling said feisty lass about my altruistic take-out. As I tasted the remnants of the black licorice on my lip, I chuckled silently to myself.Fuck. Spunky and beautiful…do I really want to see what else is wrapped up in that pint-sized package?Hell yeah I did.

From the moment she walked into the bar in this hotel, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I had tried to keep my mind on the Titans and Vikings game, but Sunday Night Football had lost all its appeal the moment she sat down, and then she just kept surprising me from there. It was hard not to keep stealing glances at her.

“Okay,” I took a deep breath.

Do I really want to tell her? Fuck it.

All my senses were alive with the thrill of engaging with her further. I boldly locked eyes with her. That was a mistake. As I opened my mouth, the intensity of her gaze made me chicken out and change my explanation at the last second. “It was for some friends of mine.”

Her face scrunched up in confusion. What bothered me was the flicker of disappointment that I saw behind her eyes a moment later. She had been right to think there was more to the story. I could see that I had fallen short in her estimation as she leaned back into her seat. Her drink was becoming more fascinating to her than I was.

No!I could feel the loss of her little hand on my bare forearm. It was her fierce curiosity, however, that I suddenly felt ripped away from me. “Fine. If I tell you, you have to tell me a bit about yourself.”

“Quid pro quo.” She scooted forward, that brilliant smile lighting her face back up. “But if you want details, you need to put out.”

Well if that didn’t lead my mind to dirty ideas, then I wasn’t sure what would. I wanted a lot of things and, with a sassy lass like Sophia, I could give as much as I wanted to receive.

“There are a lot of homeless people in this city—you’re not from here, right?” When she nodded in assent, I continued, “It all started—oh I don’t know, too long ago to remember. But I started buying double my order of lunch and passing out the extra portion. They always want money, but I don’t want my twenty bucks to be the reason they overdose. So now, when I come to eat, drink, and enjoy some alone time with my man Milton and the football game, I always take a heap of food to my friends waiting in the alley.”

“How many are there?” she leaned closer.

I rubbed the back of my neck, “Tonight? Not too many…”

My voice tapered off, and I dropped my eyes to my drink.I wish I had lied to her.Other than Milton, no one knew my secret. My family did charity work, but only for the perks. Whereas they fed off the attention, I didn’t want to advertise my good deeds—ever.

Until now.

Clearly this lass was a classy lady—just look at the outfit she had on!No, don’t look at it.Part of my mind was all hot and bothered by her tight little ass and perky tits. But the other was striving to remain a stoic gentleman.

“Wow, Reese.” Those delicate fingers settled down on my forearm again. This was a girl who wasn’t afraid to touch or get personal when the moment warranted it, something I was finding utterly distracting. I was half turned on just from her stunt with the damned licorice booze. Thankfully my self-conscious brain had kicked in once I spilled my secret and soaked up all the blood that was running south.

Looking down at her manicured hand against my tanned skin, I was thankful I had rolled up my dress shirt, as I always did when getting comfortable before watching a game. “It’s not a big deal.” I shrugged, and refocused on the game. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks and cursed my Celtic heritage which made my skin so easily susceptible to a blush.

“Okay, it’s my turn.” And then this chick went and shocked the hell out of me again. As if she could read my discomfort about the situation, she leaned her forearms against the polished bar top and gazed at the screen. “I’m from Cali, but I’m here for business. I hate pizza; don’t understand sports. And last month I carjacked an old lady…on accident.”

Snorting hard, I tried to swallow my sip of bourbon without it going through my nose. Too late. I could feel the burn all through the back of my throat, my nose, and I was pretty sure my eyes were watering. “What the fuck?”

“Yeah.” Sophia finished her nasty drink, but shook her head when Milton asked if she wanted a refill. “No thank you, two is more than enough. I’ll pay my tab now.”

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