Page 12 of The Mating Fire
Perhaps she judged him too quickly. “I’m studying to become a volcanologist…”
Mirth filled his face as he grinned, a not entirely humorous grin, but rather condescending. “Oh, like Mr. Spock?”
He made the Vulcan sign.
Harper barely suppressed a sigh. That old joke. She spoke slowly, wishing she could sparkle at small talk the way Char did. Or her convos online with Darkbird1790.
“You’re wearing red, like the red shirts in Star Trek. Not a good sign.” He laughed again.
“You asked me to wear red.”
His expression fell. “Yeah, I forgot. So, you study volcanoes?”
“I’m finishing my masters in geology at the University of …”
Chet’s gaze roved around the room. “Fascinating.”
Guy sounded like Mr. Spock himself, only with less sincerity. Debating on whether she should end this now, before he ditched her, she smiled at the approaching server.
After draining his drink, Chet suddenly stood, glancing at his cell phone. “Oh damn, so sorry, I forgot I have to do laundry tonight. Big meeting tomorrow. Maybe another time? I’ll call you Helen.”
“Call me Harper,” she told him, but he was already gone, sprinting for the door, not before stopping to talk to Charlotte. Flirting, it seemed. Charlotte turned away from him and busied herself with her phone.
Finally, Chet walked off.
Leaving an empty glass and her to pay for his lone drink.
A text appeared on her phone. Charlotte. “Forget that jerk. He’s a loser. You deserve better. What about hottie at the bar?”
Harper texted back. “Not in my league.”
The server approached, glancing at the empty place setting. She gave Harper a conspiratorial wink. “He wasn’t meant for you. Guy looked like a dope.”
“Thanks.” The woman’s friendliness erased a little humiliation. Best she pay and leave, with dignity somewhat intact. “Check please.”
The waitress shook her head. “This one’s on me. If I could, I’d charge his credit card.”
After thanking the server, Harper pulled her purse over one shoulder and headed for the exit.
Barely had she taken two steps toward the hostess stand when her path was blocked by the sexy guy at the bar. Charlotte grinned and behind the guy’s back mouthed, “Go for it! He’s cute.”
He was, she had to admit.
Close up, he was even more devastating. His eyes, dark as sin, gave him an otherworldly air that contrasted with the charcoal silk business suit, the red handkerchief tucked into a suit pocket, and the short black hair and close-cropped beard. He looked like an urbane businessman.
But a threat lingered around him, a scent of danger her sensitive olfactory senses detected. The kind of businessman who’d shake your palm with one hand while sinking a dagger into your back with his other if he sensed you tried to pull a fast one.
Harper told Charlotte she’d catch up later. Maybe over wine and one of their favorite rom cons.
She stepped outside, but Hot and Sexy followed.
“I’m Jared. Jared Griffin. You are?”
“Leaving.”
“I see. But not yet. I want to get to know you.”
Harper felt a tug of intrigue mixed with sexual need and alarm. Why would this man, who could have any woman at the bar, judging from the way they flirted with him, want her?
