Page 8 of The Bratva's Innocent Pregnant Bride
At the risk of sounding vain, I was used to this kind of attention, and of course I encouraged it. But I wanted another drink and brushed her off. I’d barely been there an hour and there were plenty of choices. No reason to rush into anything.
Until I saw her. Then everything faded into the background. Even the thumping beats of the live band seemedto grow quieter. She sat at the bar, her lithe legs hooked over the lower rung, her knees pressed together in a tight skirt that seemed much longer than what some of the women on the dance floor were wearing. A staid jacket and crisp white blouse suggested an office rather than a nightclub, but despite almost every inch of her lush curves being demurely covered, she effortlessly oozed sex appeal.
Blonde hair like spun gold fell in waves over her shoulders, her tongue darted out to lick her lips before she took a hasty sip of her drink. Her hand went to her throat as our eyes locked and I smiled. I’d made my choice. Her cheeks bloomed with rosy color as I swerved to make my way to her instead of a less crowded area.
She knew. I could tell by the flutter of her fingers that she knew she was mine for the night. Damn the dim light in here for not letting me make out the color of her widening eyes. If there was anyone around to bet with, I’d have put all my money on blue.
Then she spun her barstool around and pretended like I didn’t exist.
Nice try.
One glance sent the man perched next to her to find another spot to sit and I slid into his place. Her cheeks were growing redder as she made an effort not to turn to look at me. I ordered a shot of vodka, nodding for the bartender to bring one for my mystery woman.
“You look like you could use it,” I said, and in truth she did have a shimmer of worry in her eyes when she turned to me. Blue eyes that should have been full of happiness and laughter, not worry. A protective surge came over me, one that was usually only present for my family members.
She blinked and smiled, shaking her head. “Oh, I couldn’t. This cocoa’s pretty potent. One more drink and I’ll be sliding off this stool.”
Sweet, innocent, and still trying to hide that she was interested. But I’d seen the flash between us before she turned away, saw how she’d leaned forward as soon as I switched direction to head toward her.
I downed my shot and then hers. “Can’t have that,” I said with a grin.
Biting her lower lip, she tried not to smile in return. “Are you here for the snow?”
“Sure, why not?” I said, not about to say I’d been cajoled by a six-year-old into an endless family vacation. “How about you?”
“Work,” she sighed. “But I’m definitely taking advantage of the slopes first thing tomorrow.”
“First thing?” I asked, leaning closer. “Are you sure you won’t want to stay in bed?”
Her blush was adorable. The sweet and innocent thing wasn’t an act. I wanted to know everything about her, but I wanted to get her in my arms more.
“Finish that ridiculous drink of yours so we can dance,” I said.
She raised an eyebrow, then looked past me to the dance floor, a blur of people under twinkling, rotating lights. Very slowly, she reached for her mug and drained it, smiling at me when she slammed it down on the bar.
“Good girl,” I said, taking her hand and leading her under the lights.
We spun around, avoiding everyone else as best we could, colliding with each other and laughing. If there truly had been any kind of anxiety in her eyes when she first looked my way, it was gone now. I was glad of that, almost relieved. Any time other men looked like they might want to cut in between us I shot them looks full of pure murder. Don’t try it, she was mine.
Pretty soon we were both winded and when the band took a break, we started to leave the dancefloor. Until the DJ took over and a slow song filled the bar. We were no longer on the flashing tiles, but I pulled her into my arms anyway.
“I’m Dan,” I said.
She smiled up at me. “Paisley. So now we know each other’s names. What does that mean?”
“It means we’re getting to know each other better. Much better.”
I couldn’t have held back if an army was in front of me. I leaned down and kissed her. A slight gasp burst from her lips as my mouth met hers, then she slid her hands from my shoulders to wrap around my neck. Mine went from where they rested at her waist to her hips, tugging her closer.
Her body was hot, her lips soft and pliant. I needed more of her and moved my hands up the sides of her jacket, wishing for the smooth feel of her skin, needing it. With my fingers curling in her hair, I deepened our kiss, nudging my tongue between her parted lips.
Another sigh, warm against my mouth. I cupped the back of her neck, damp with sweat and smoother than the finest silk. She pulled herself closer, standing on her toes, rubbing against my swelling cock.
The song transitioned to something rowdy and a surge of people returned to the dance floor, knocking us apart. I reached for her arms to keep her from toppling over, and then grabbed her by the hand to pull her to a table in the more secluded back of the bar.
I called for the server to bring me another vodka and another of those cocoa drinks for Paisley.
“Just a regular hot chocolate,” she said. “No alcohol.”
