Page 54 of Heart Taker

“Sounds great.”

“I’m Kolt,” he offered with a tip of his head.

“Damien.”

“Haven’t seen you in here before,” he added as he gave me a long once-over. “Not that we’ve been opened that long, but still.”

Nerves that usually took flight during games suddenly washed over me. I was feeling all kinds of awkward and I’m sure it showed.

“First time,” I replied and hoped like hell I wasn’t blushing. “I live in Sutton.”

“Ah, the college town. Are you a teacher or something?”

I nodded. “I coach hockey.”

“Cool.” He tapped the bar. “I’ll be right back.”

So far, so good. I managed to make normal conversation, and I didn’t trip over my tongue.

Looking around, I noticed plenty of attractive guys, although no one caught my attention. Shifting awkwardly, I realized I didn’t even know where to begin. Maybe I couldn’t do this. WhatwasI doing?

I was about to get up and bolt for the door when Kolt returned with my beer.

“You want a menu?” he asked.

I could at least stay for a bite. I had to eat anyway.

“Sure, thanks.”

I took a grateful sip of the crisp IPA, feeling my nerves settle. Slightly.

“So, what brings you here tonight?” Kolt asked as he passed me a paper menu. “Meeting a date?”

“Unfortunately, no. I’m trying to break my usual rut of working, working, and oh yeah, working.”

Kolt’s knowing smile was cute, but I didn’t feel any spark. This would’ve been a perfect time to try out my flirting skills. Unfortunately, they’d retired along with my hockey playing days.

Kolt placed his forearms on the bar and leaned in. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. Great food, friendly staff—if I do say so myself—and lots of sexy guys to talk to.”

I took another sip of my beer before I responded.

“Not sure about the last one,” I confessed. “I’m pretty new to that, too.”

Kolt didn’t look in the least surprised and nodded.

“There’s a first time for everyone.”

“Not exactly,” I muttered. “But close.”

Kolt gave me a wolfish grin.

“Sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t know why I said that out loud.”

“Sure you do. It seems like you want to get something off your chest. Go for it, I’m a good listener. It’s part of the job.”

I took another sip of beer and nodded.

“I was talking to a friend recently and I realized some things. A lot actually,” I confessed. “There’s nothing like having a sexual reawakening at thirty.”

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