Page 22 of Real's Love

Her lips pursed and she rolled her eyes, but I could see the smile she was hiding.

"I was going to tell you ‘No, thanks,'" she admitted.

"But now you're going to tell me your name."

The bartender returned with a bottle of water and tried to get her attention. Making sure I brushed my body against hers and enjoying the little sparks that resulted, I handed over a bill and grabbed the bottle and napkins. I gave it all to the pretty lady in front of me. She opened the water and took a few, slow sips before lowering the bottle and dragging her pink tongue across her nude-glossed bottom lip. Shit was juicy as hell, like the rest of her. Hell, I would've collected those stray drops for her.

"You sneaking a feel?" she queried.

I chuckled. "It was too obvious to be sneaking. But I can't wait to do it more openly."

Laughing, she tossed her head back and I wanted to brush my lips against the smooth column of her throat.

"You are bold!"

"Actually, I'm Real.”

She pursed her lips and looked at me skeptically. I lifted both hands to let her know I was serious.

“No lies, shorty. My name is Real. Now, tell me yours."

Light brown eyes drifted over me again as she thought about my request. Two more sips of water and she relented.

"Evanie. Nice to meet you, Real. Now, I need to get back to my co-workers."

She looked up at me, waiting for me to move. I did, but not how she was expecting. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to see if her skin felt as soft as it looked. Dragging my thumb across her exposed collarbone, I smiled as she sucked in a breath at the heat that flowed between us. And damn, her skin was like silk. I leaned forward so she could hear my whisper.

"You really need to?"

She held still before nodding once.

"We haven't even sung to the birthday girl."

I stepped back out of habit, never one to push where I wasn't wanted. But walking away from her?—

My thoughts stopped abruptly as she curved her free hand around the side of my neck and pulled me back.

"If we happen to see each other on our way out, oh, in about... an hour, I might be persuaded to explore my response a little more," she said before flashing pretty white teeth at me in a teasing smile.

I let her walk past. Seconds later, I texted Targen to let him know I wasn't coming back to the section. Instead, I moved to where I could see her with a small group of women. Shit was totally unlike me, and I hated it. But I couldn’t help watching her as she talked and laughed and danced with them, the ease and grace of her movements so damn sexy. Exactly one hour later, I shrugged as she made no move to leave.Oh, well. I'd had enough for the night and there were plenty of women I could call to take my mind off the glowing, golden-brown beauty. It was enough that I'd actually waited on her. A couple of minutes later, I was outside, handing my ticket to the valet. Standing back, I was suddenly tired as fuck.

"You're definitely punctual, huh?" a feminine voice questioned, the sweet southern drawl unmistakable.

I looked over at her.

"Always."

"Mmm."

Her eyes traveled over me as mine did the same, appreciating everything from the softly tamed baby hair to the pretty, pearl-white polish on the toes peeking from her strappy gold stilettos.

"Well... I know this place..." she said.

I moved until I was in her space. This time, my thumb grazed her soft jawline. Our eyes tangled and her clear brown irises mesmerized me. I wanted to know what was behind that pretty gaze.

"And I'll follow you there. I got a question, though."

She raised one perfectly arched brow. "What's that?"

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