Page 11 of Craving Danger

A crooked smile tugs at his mouth, and he looks just as nervous as I feel.

“Hi, I’m Doyle. It’s nice to meet you.”

When I take a seat again, and just stare at each other. When it’s clear he’s not going to talk first, I clear my throat and let out a nervous chuckle. “This isn’t awkward at all.”

His smile widens a little. “Yeah. Is this your first time coming here?”

“Yes. I thought I’d give it a try. And you?”

“I’m a virgin as well.”

Alrighty then.

We smile awkwardly at each other before I take another sip of my drink.

Doyle relaxes back against the couch and glances around, and I take the moment to stare at him.

He seems harmless. The man has zero body muscle, so there’s a good chance I can beat him in a fight.

The thought helps me relax enough to ask, “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

His eyes snap back to me, and he thinks for a moment before he answers, “I never miss a chance to go camping. I love fishing and hunting. Do you like being outdoors?”

No. I don’t do bugs and wild animals.

“I’m not much of a camping and fishing gal. I love spending a weekend in a cabin up in the mountains or going to the beach.”

“Oh. Okay,” he replies, not sounding impressed with me. “So, what do you do for a living?”

“I’m a PA, and you?”

“I’m an accountant.”

He glances around us again while I finish the rest of my martini.

I expected to have a panic attack, but instead, I might die of boredom. It’s a good thing.

Smiling, my muscles relax, and when Doyle looks at me again, he looks a little bewildered as he stammers, “Y-you’re pretty when y-you smile.”

His face goes beet red, and it makes me feel sorry for the guy.

“I think we’re doing great as first-timers,” I say, hoping it will help him relax.

“Yeah?”

Nodding, I chuckle. “We haven’t made a run for it yet. I’m totally taking it as a win.”

“Right.” He waves at a server and orders a beer.

The server picks up my empty glass and asks, “Would you like another martini, Miss Blakely?”

“Please.”

When we're alone again, Doyle asks, “Why are you here?”

To regain some of the control I’ve lost and to learn to trust men again.

My smile wavers as I answer, “Just to have a conversation. And you?”

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