Page 24 of 1 Last Shot

"You too," I say with another smile.

Once he walks off and I'm left by myself, my attention immediately travels back to Kane. He's turned around again, and he's giving me the same hard look he was before.

Just like at the gym the first time we met, I don't back down from that gaze.

In fact, I decide to call him out on thedon't touch mevibes that he's radiating right now. Striding across the floor, I stand in at the bar right beside him and down the rest of my beer, surprised to realize it was so easy to drink.

"Another one?" the bartender asks before I've even put the empty bottle down.

"Umm, actually I'd like to try something different," I answer, squinting at the rows of alcohol behind him. "Can you make me a tequila mixed drink?"

"Sure. Like a tequila sunrise?"

"That's fine."

"What kind of tequila do you want?"

"Umm, regular?"

I see his lip twitch with a smile at the same time that I hear a harsh bark of laughter beside me. I ignore Kane, willing my cheeks not to heat.

"I'll give you house, sweetheart," the bartender says, taking pity on me. I give him a grateful smile.

I choose to ignore the crack from Kane. Instead, I wait silently as the bartender prepares my drink. When he slides it in front of me, I take a sip and let out a pleased hum.

"Thank you," I tell him, sliding my card across the bar. "It's really good."

He winks, then moves away. Finally, I turn my head to give Kane my attention.

"So," I start casually. "How long is your coach punishing you with my yoga class?"

His eyebrows shoot up for a split second before he returns to his flat stare. He doesn't answer, which I expected. Instead, he asks, "So little Richie Rich is your type? I bet Mommy and Daddy would be thrilled. Could you be any more of a stereotypical rich girl?"

I cock my head and study him for a moment. It's so glaringly obvious that Kane's hostility is a defense mechanism that it doesn't really bother me anymore, even though it should be hurtful. Instead, I say evenly, "It's called being social, Kane. You should try it sometime."

He gestures around him. "I'm here, aren't I? I'm doing the same thing you are."

"Yeah, except you're glaring daggers at anyone that eventhinksabout approaching you. No one is going to want to talk to you that way. Don't you ever look for some female company?"

The look he gives me is heated to a thousand degrees. I swallow roughly, but I can't bring myself to look away from where he refuses to drop my gaze.When did he get closer?

After what feels like an eternity, he actually answers. "Don't worry, princess," he rumbles. "If I have female company, you'll know."

I hold his stare and, without missing a beat, I say, "You know, princess just makes it sound like you're flirting." Lowering my voice, I add in an almost-whisper, "Are you flirting with me, Kane?"

That’s twice now I’ve surprised him. But then he’s frowning as he studies me. When he speaks, his voice is careful. "Fine. Isabella."

I let a smile slowly stretch across my face, feeling entirely too pleased with myself.

"Look who cares enough to know my name," I purr.

His frown turns into a full-blown glare at that. But he's saved from having to reach for an answer he obviously doesn't have when there's some kind of commotion behind us.

Kane's eyes dart over my shoulder, and before I can compose myself enough to turn to look, several things happen at once.

There's a loud shout from someone.

A crash as someone hits the ground.

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