Page 18 of Blind Bite
Holloway’s eyebrows climbed higher. “Secret admirer already? That was fast.”
“No, I—” I glanced toward the bar where Martha was grinning wickedly. “I know the bartender. My roommate is a chef here, so I’ve gotten pretty familiar with the rest of the staff.”
“Ah.” He nodded stiffly. “Looks fruity.”
I took a large sip, grateful for the liquid courage. “It is. So... do you come to these often?”
“This is my first and last time.” He checked his watch. “A colleague suggested I ‘get out there.’ I’m rethinking that particular friendship.”
The bell rang before I could say another word, and Holloway rose so quickly he nearly knocked over his chair.
“Miss Bensen,” he nodded curtly and walked away without another word.
The next three men were a parade of disappointments. One talked exclusively about cryptocurrency, another spent the entire time explaining why I’d be lucky to date him, and the third asked if I was “into feet stuff” within thirty seconds.
By the time the bell rang for my fifth date, I was contemplating an escape through the bathroom window. Or maybe through the kitchen so I could stab the woman who coerced me to do this thing. I sipped the last of my pink concoction as a tall figure slid into the seat across from me.
“Rough night?” His voice was like a glass of smoked bourbon, low and rich. A British accent mingled with every syllable to make the heavenly sound.
I looked up and nearly choked on my drink. His dark hair, touched with silver at the temples, piercing blue eyes, and sinful smile utterly devastated me.
“You could say that.” I set down my empty glass. “I’m Lilith.”
“Jamie.” He extended a hand, and when our fingers touched, I swore I felt a spark. “Tell me, Lilith, what brings a woman like you to speed dating?”
“Right now, I’m considering a moment of insanity. You?”
He laughed. “Boredom, mostly. And you’re the first interesting person I’ve met all night.”
“How can you tell? We’ve barely spoken.”
“Sometimes you just know.” His eyes held mine, and for a moment, I forgot we were in a crowded restaurant.
“It’s the purple hair, isn’t it?”
His grin spread wider. “It most definitely is the purple hair.”
Chapter Fourteen
“So, tattoo apprentice—that sounds fascinating,” Jamie leaned forward, his eyes never leaving mine as I gave him my spiel. “What made you decide stabbing people for a living was for you?”
“I’ve always been artistic, and I do work with some other mediums, but body art is better paying. I also do piercings, too. There’s something about permanently altering someone’s skin that’s...” I searched for the right word.
“Intimate?” His lips curved into a smile that made my stomach flip.
“Exactly.”
“I’d love to see your work sometime,” his voice dipped lower. “I’ve been considering getting one myself.”
“Really? Do you have any already, or is this your first one?”
“Something like that.”
“Ah,” I said, “a virgin.”
“In a way, yes.” He chuckled, glancing at my empty glass. “Another drink?”
“I would love one.”
