Page 7 of Daddy's Naughty Bartender
The dare hangs between us, and I know he sees right through me. I can't resist a challenge, especially one wrapped in that velvet-over-steel voice.
"One dinner," I hear myself say.
"Good girl."
Two words. That's all. But they hit me like a lightning strike, sending heat straight to my core. My reaction must show on my face because his eyes darken, pupils dilating.
"Interesting," he murmurs.
"Don't."
"Don't what? Notice how your breathing changed? How your pupils dilated? How you're pressing your thighs together right now?"
"Oh my God." I cover my face with my hands. "You can't just?—"
"Say what I see?" He gently pulls my hands down. "Why not? You're a beautiful woman with desires you've been ignoring too long. Nothing shameful in that."
"I don't do this. I don't date customers. I'm not that type of woman."
"Shh." His thumb presses gently against my lips. "You don't have to do anything except show up tomorrow. Seven o'clock. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful. Let me handle the rest. You're safe with me, Karen. Even when you're falling apart, especially then. Trust me, baby, you're safe with me."
I believe him. That's the terrifying part. This man I've known for less than a week feels safer than anyone has in years.
"Okay," I whisper against his thumb.
"There's my brave girl." He drops his hand, stepping back to give me space. "I should go. You have a bar to run, and I have some calls to make."
I watch him pull on his suit jacket, smooth and controlled once again. Professional. Proper. Like he hasn't just tilted my entire world off its axis.
"Jason?"
He pauses at the door. "Yes?"
"The Manhattan. How was it?"
His smile is slow, dangerous. "Perfect. But then, I had a feeling you would be."
The door closes behind him, and I sag against the bar.
"Holy shit." Susie appears at my elbow. "That was the hottest thing I've ever witnessed. I need a cold shower and I was just watching."
"Susie!"
"Nu-uh. Don't you dare minimize this. That man just verbally did things to you that should be illegal in public." She fans herself dramatically. "And you have a date tomorrow."
"It's just dinner."
"Karen Elizabeth Mitchell, that was not 'just dinner' energy. That was 'I'm going to worship you like the goddess you are' energy." She grabs my shoulders. "The Naughty Girls are going to lose their minds."
Oh God. The book club. We meet tomorrow afternoon.
"Don't you dare cancel," Susie warns, reading my expression. "They'll hunt you down. Besides, you need outfit advice."
She's right. I haven't been on a real date in... I can't remember. Mark and I were together since college. After he died, dating was the furthest thing from my mind. And now…
Now a man who looks at me like I'm precious and calls me baby girl is taking me to dinner.
"I need wine," I decide.
