Page 5 of Let it Breathe
"Yes." My expression, condescending and rude as hell, gave me confidence. I couldn't help it. "Like the tea." I nodded.
He smirked and turned back to face the bar. His cocky grin returned.
"I get it, you know." I turned and crossed my legs. "The pressure of your job and your life. It must be difficult. Sometimes you need to let off some steam."
"Hey, maybe I actually like ... her."
"You don't even know her name." I laughed.
"Leena."
"Very good."
"Why are you so cynical?" he asked. "An athlete broke your heart?"
"No. I've never dated an athlete, but I've been around powerful men, and they all have the same problem."
"What's that?" He turned toward me and stood up. His solid frame filled out his clothes nicely. He rolled up the sleeves of his button-down shirt.
"You need a woman to tell you you're good." I stood up now, too. "It's okay. You're a man. You can't help it."
He narrowed his eyes, and I narrowed mine back.
"You're wrong."
"Am I? You couldn't turn her down now even if you wanted to."
"Is that a bet?"
I bit my lip to avoid speaking. My father told me my smart mouth would get me in trouble someday, and here I was, staring at trouble.
"Donovan." Donovan's date returned, singing his name. Her voice grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I blinked at Donovan, and he blinked back before he turned his attention to Leena.
"Hey." He checked his watch. "Listen, it was great meeting you, but I have to go. Please stay and finish your drink."
"What?" She stomped her foot and pouted, and I stifled a laugh. "I thought we were ..."
Her voice trailed off. Donovan dared a quick glimpse at me before turning back to her. "You know, I'm just really tired."
I felt his gaze but stared into my glass. I grinned and bit my lip.
The bartender handed him the bill. Leena bounced from one foot to the other. I noted her six-inch stilettos. She might have been four foot tall without them. She was pretty enough, too. Her body had curves in the right place. The kind guys loved.
Sort of like my own.
I slid back into my chair. I didn't look in his direction, but I heard him thank the bartender. From his enthusiastic response, he must have gotten a good tip. He laid a loud kiss on Leena's cheek. I pouted as he walked away.
His steps echoed in my heart. There I was, sitting alone at the bar with my half shot of tequila.
Pathetic.
"Can I get you anything else?" the bartender asked.
"No. I'll just close out my tab." I reached for my bag.
"Mr. Bryant took care of it."
I looked up.
