Page 15 of Naughty Irish Fate
“Can we get our round now, Bronwyn?” Bryan coughs beside me and I blink away from the eye-fuck I have going with Rooker.Shit. Bryan and a few other regulars witnessed our exchange.Double, triple shit.
“Right on it, dear.” I switch my focus from the mysterious man beside me to pour the shots and pitcher Bryan ordered.
“Everything good here?” Bryan asks just loud enough for me to catch. Again, I blink at him in confusion. His eyes swing towards Rooker who glares back at him. I bite back a smile, unsure how to feel about the pissing contest.
“Course, dear. When have I ever needed saving? Thanks though, Bryan.” We share a look as he flushes and dips his head.
I wonder briefly if all the coin tosses over the years meant more to him than I realized. Wonder if perhaps he wanted me to lose just once, so he had an excuse to ask for a different wager. Smiling at him, I slide him his rack and pitcher. Don’t miss the way his eyes slide lower than usual before he flushes again.Well shit. Who knew?
“Wyn.” Glancing back over my shoulder, I notice Rooker’s dark jade eyes on me. Jaw ticking, he tips his head to call me over.
I want to go to him. Which just irritates me. So, I don’t. Instead I head to the other end of the bar. For as long as I can avoid him, I do. Rooker never moves from his spot and I his eyes are trained on me all night.
Trudi is tending to his table and I catch sight of her sitting on one of the men’s laps. Hope it’s the man who had her speaking in tongues.Good for her, I suppose. Still, Rooker stays there, nursing that whiskey patiently.
Until I look up once and realize he is not alone. An unfamiliar woman sits at one of the stools beside him.Mystool from last night.
Blonde and busty, she laughs too loud and leans in too long. He doesn’t seem to mind. Something burns in my chest. Settles low in my stomach. I blink away a sting at my eyes to smile tightly as Bryan waits patiently for me to notice him.
“Get us another, Bronwyn?” Bryan smiles softly.Didn’t I just top them off? What’s he after?
Glancing back at Rooker and his new friend, I see Rooker’s eyes on us. His eyes are glowing jade even as his stranger trails her painted nails down his chest.
As our eyes clash, he shakes his head once.
I almost laugh in spite. Been too long since I flirted back with someone. Even someone safe like Bryan. For a few moments—with Rooker’s eyes on us the entire time—I flirt like I want Bryan to believe it instead of Rooker.
Until I hear Rooker’s glass slam on the bar top. It makes me blink in surprise. Opens my eyes wide to a hopeful Bryan. He flushes pink as if he realizes what I’m doing. I flood with guilt. I am playing petty games like any other foolish woman would.
Not me. Not this woman. I act a fool for no one.
Not even the beautiful man watching me with possessive green eyes as he flirts with another woman. A woman who clearly knows the score and expects nothing more than to get Rooker between her legs for a night. Bryan notices where my eyes stray and knocks on the bar with a sheepish smile and an understanding nod of his head.
Twisting away from the bar I take out my coin.
Eyes holding Rooker’s, I toss it in the air.
As if I am wagering something with Bryan.
Watching me flip that coin, Rooker grins crookedly.Stupid sexy grin.He mouths the word‘Tails’and winks. I glare and slam the coin on the bar top.
“Mother... fucking tails!” I roar beneath the buzz of the crowd. Rooker laughs though. Deep and rusty just like last night. My eyes meet his again and we’re both smiling. Our distractions forgotten.
Snatching the coin up, I head towards him as he twists away from the blonde. His eyes watch every step I take. As if it's far too many steps between us. I pause out of reach as his big hands spread out on the bar top. I imagine his hands itch to touch me as badly as I itch to have them touching me.
“Come here.” Rook growls low and deep, making my panties feel too tight between my legs.
“What can I get you?” I smirk up at him as I breathe in his warm, clean scent.
“You, Wyn. You can get me some more of you.” Just a few words and I am the same twisted up mess I was last night.Stupid, stupid girl.
“Sure about that, sailor?” I tip my head towards the blonde who watches us in confusion.
“Never been so sure. I can wait for you, Wyn. Got all night.” When he dismisses the blonde—who sighs and heads over to another unfamiliar face—I almost dance the jig.Almost.
“If you got all night, so do I.” I tease, moving closer to him a step at a time.
“Our song comes on again I want that dance, baby. Get me some whiskey while I wait, yeah?” Dipping my head as he makes a show of settling in to wait for me, I pour him a fresh drink.
