Chapter 3

“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry,” I blurted out. I looked down and my hand jerked back as I realized I was attempting to pat-dry the wetness on his chest from the spilled drink. I was nervous and being awkward. What an idiot.

The man in front me was gorgeous. His skin was bronze and he had dark, chocolate curly hair that contrasted his eyes, his facial hair cut short against his skin. I felt his toned chest under my touch from before.

My gaze went back to his eyes. They were so different from anything I’ve ever seen on a person. I couldn’t explain it.

“You have really nice eyes.” Something I had meant to only think but the words had actually come out. What was going on with me? I was never this bold.

He smiled and spoke for the first time. “Thank you. Your eyes are beautiful too.” His voice came out deep and husky. As he spoke, he put his hand under my chin lifting my face to his. A shudder went through my body when I felt his warm but rough, calloused hand against me. Why did I let him touch me like that?

I smiled and looked away shyly reluctantly moving my head back away from his hand, a motion he seemed to resent. I apologized again for bumping into him.

“You’re okay, love.” The words he spoke made my stomach churn. Why was I feeling like this? I needed to get away.

I nodded and stepped aside to walk away, but he grabbed at my hand. His touch was gentle and soft, not intruding at all, as if he was intent on being careful with me. I looked down at his hand and then back up to him, surprised by his attempt to stop me.

“Wait. You didn’t tell me your name,” he stated. I opened my mouth to speak but I caught myself. This isn’t what I was here for. I was done with men. There was no point in giving him my name. For what? No. Wasn’t going to happen.

He stared at me so intently like he was looking through to my soul, desperation and hunger in those golden eyes. I didn’t like it. Well, I actually did, but I didn’t want to like it. For a second, I couldn’t look away. The way he looked at me gave me butterflies. I had never been seen like that before. It wasn’t lustful like when someone just wants your body. It was something more. He wanted ME, like everything I was.

“I don’t..” I started

“You don’t have a name?” He laughed at himself and I did too.

“No - I mean, yeah, I do, but..” I couldn’t even get my words out. I was all over the place.

“Okay. I’ll go first. I’m Adrian.”

Adrian. I liked the way that sounded.

“What happened to being done with men? I thought to myself.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” He was no longer smiling. That caught me off guard at first, but I soon snapped out of it, rolling my eyes.

“How many women have you said that to?” I fired back.

“What?” He laughed. “You don’t believe me? I can show you.” His face got serious again, and for some reason I did believe him.

“You’re not like anyone else. I need.. to know you.”

He paused in between those words. I couldn’t speak. What was going on?

My eyes started darting around the room. I was getting uncomfortable. I never had someone be so direct with me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve heard plenty of game before and wasn’t one to typically fall for the bullshit, but there was something genuine about how he spoke to me, something telling me I could believe him.

I met his gaze again. There was an urgency in his eyes and a part of me wanted to go with the flow, but I just couldn’t take the chance.

I shook his arm off. “I’m sorry. I can’t,” I said as I walked away.

I was halfway back to my spot at the bar when I turned around to him. He was still staring. Something in me wanted to go back and just submit, but then our gaze was broken by another man running up to him. He looked at me and then to Adrian with a serious look on his face then spoke quietly to him. I looked back to Adrian. I could tell he didn’t want to leave without knowing who I was, and deep down inside I didn’t want him to either even though I just rejected him.

I could run back to him, give him my name and number and see where it goes. That wouldn’t be such a big deal, would it? But I didn’t. I sighed to myself. Why was I like this?

With a look of disappointment on his face, he turned to leave, and just like that he was gone.