Page 22 of Greedy Grizzly
Where had that reaction come from? Normally, I didn’t look people in the eyes. This man had caught me off guard.
He smiled, showing off his perfect white teeth.“The house special, of course.”
“I’m open to trying anything,” I replied in a soft voice. Even I, oblivious Grizzly, noticed the innuendo in my words. Where the hell did that come from?
“I thought you might be.” He turned away and made my drink.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Strangely, I wasn’t trying to hide my interest as I studied his physique from top to bottom, lingering on his tight ass for longer than I should.
The gritty, bluesy melody the pianist was playing in the background was setting the scene unfolding in front of me. Two strangers meeting in a bar… No questions asked. A one-night stand.
“One, Al Nye house special.” He placed the double old-fashioned glass in front of me. “The drink is named after the original owner, Al. Let me know if it’s too sweet and I’ll get you something else.”
I took a sip of the cocktail and let the flavors unfold in my mouth. Hints of orange and cherry mixed with the warmth of the bourbon. It was a delicious cocktail, one I would have never ordered on my own.
“What do you think?” he asked, with a hint of eagerness in his tone. His hands gripped the edge of the bar, showing off his thick forearms and ink. “It’s my favorite.”
“I can see why. It’s really good.” I took another drink, needing the alcohol to give me courage to continue talking to this man. For the first time in my life, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone.
“And strong. If you drink it too fast, you might do something uncharacteristic.” He nearly made me choke on his words.
I coughed into the crook of my arm, feeling the bourbon burning my nose. What the hell was he doing? Hinting at having sex with a stranger?
The way I was feeling right now, I didn’t think I’d object.
Before I could say something clever, a group of men and women entered. Probably a good thing, because there was nothing clever about me. In fact, I didn’t normally talk so much with anyone other than Libby and Toby.
The bartender sighed. “Just holler if you need anything.” And with that, he dashed off.
Admittedly, I was relieved our banter was cut short. All I had been looking for at Nye’s was a strong drink, a little musical ambience, and being left alone with my thoughts. The universe always seemed to work against me.
A short time passed and I’d finished my drink. Wanting another, I raised my empty glass to get the bartender’s attention. He acknowledged me with a nod, then winked.
A rush of anxiety nearly knocked me off the barstool. It was a familiar feeling, one I remembered having before I became a Knight. I had spent years without the powerful surge pulsing in my chest, and then I met Toby Hamilton, Maddy’s older brother.
When Toby was around my angsty mood disappeared. Gray skies would fade and the sun shone. He had made electricity crack and pop beneath my skin. My hands had ached to touch him. Even though I knew nothing would ever happen with him, I had relished all the overwhelming emotions I’d experienced.
At the end of his short visits, he would jet off to a new job. For days, following his departure, I’d dream about the two of us being together until the high wore off.
Toby was everything I’d ever wanted, but then so was Libby. If I could have anything in the world, it would be both of them.
“So are you new in town?” the bartender asked as he put anotherAl Nyecocktail in front of me. It was a little presumptuous of him.
Maybe I wanted to try something different. Not that the house special wasn’t amazing. You couldn’t go wrong with this drink, made with Makers Mark Bourbon, bitters, choke cherry simple syrup, orange peel, and black cherry.
“No, just new in here,” I replied, drawing back into myself. I sensed this man was more alpha than me, and I really liked that. But he wasn’t what I’d come here for.
I really hated how he made me feel all kinds of things I shouldn’t be having with him.
“Well, you should pop in more often.” He lowered his gaze and wiped the bar. “Preferably after six, Thursday through Sunday. You know? When I’m working.” His blue eyes lifted and connected with mine.
Holy shit!
“Maybe I will,” I told him, surprising myself. Did I actually flirt back?
He leaned toward me. “I’m off at midnight. Stick around. Then we can—”
Someone shoutedbartenderand the blond, sexy man darted away, leaving me hanging, with my dick growing hard.
