Page 8 of Golden Touch
The song that came on made me smile, too. It was “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”—the sexy Lauryn Hill version.
Okay, fair. He basically read my mind. But then he escalated things by following that song with “Dibs” by Kelsea Ballerini and “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” by Sophie B. Hawkins.
It wasn’t subtle, but I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t enjoy it. Every time I glanced toward his end of the bar, his bottomless gaze found mine.
When Jennie arrived, I told her what he’d done, and she was deeply amused. “Lord, that man is hot,” she said with a giggle. “You’re gonna hit that, right?”
“Doubt it,” I said. “In fact…” I beckoned to the bartender. “Any chance I could add a track to the playlist?”
He gave me a smirk. “Hell, yes. Keen to see where this goes.”
I chose “No” by Meghan Trainor, and the bartender just about burst a gut laughing.
I couldn’t take my eyes off McHottie, though. He didn’t get mad. He gave me a slow smile, his dark eyes shining with humor. Then he licked his generous lips. “Well played,” he mouthed.
I felt a shimmy right where it counts. Who doesn’t love a man who can take a joke?
He didn’t back off. His next song was “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick.
My cousin howled with laughter. “Oh, Ilikethis guy,” she said, raising a glass in his direction. “Well done, sir.”
I shot him a flirty smile. It had been so long since I felt desirable to anyone. After too many months with a man who only tried to break me down, the low-stakes attention from across the bar was like a beautiful gift wrapped up in a bow.
“This is how it’s supposed to feel,” my cousin said. She’s always been able to read me like a newspaper. “Not every man is a control freak, you know.”
“I know,” I agreed, just to shut her up. But I really didn’t believe her.
“Go home with him,” she whispered. “I worry about you being lonely.”
“God, Jennie. You realize he only wants a couple hours of my time, right? I’m not going to start dating him, or anyone else. There’s really no point.”
“There’s totally a point! Maybe he’ll make you feel like a queen for one night. You should remember what that’s like. A few hours of fun can change your whole outlook.”
I already felt the glow of attraction, my resolve weakening. I felt that shimmer. That spark. The promise of something new and beautiful. It reminded me why I’m alive.
After a terrible year, I wanted to believe life had more in store for me than hiding from my ex and working my office job.
The next song my hottie chose was “It’s Gonna be Me” by NSYNC, sending my cousin into another fit of laughter, while I gave him a shy smile across the bar.
He gave me a cocky grin, but his wink was as warm as it was sexy. I let myself wonder what kind of kisser he was. And whether his hands were rough or smooth…
Meanwhile, he seemed to get a lot of attention from the rest of the bar. People kept stopping by to say hello. In between well-wishers, he spent a lot of time chatting with his friend—another heavily tattooed man occupying the barstool next to him.
This guy had brought a sketchbook with him. The two of them were having an animated conversation about the drawings. Hottie’s friend was a tattoo artist, maybe?
I was intrigued. It made me want to meet them both. And you have to admire a man who has friends, a hobby, and amusing taste in music.
And, fine, really great biceps with intricate designs all over them and a smile that lit me up inside.
Then Jennie waved the bartender over and requested a song. “Go for it, love,” he said, handing over his phone.
She chose “Yeah Boy,” by Kelsea Ballerini, which made me roll my eyes even though I love Kelsea Ballerini.
By then, we’d been there for a couple hours. My hottie’s tattooed friend went to the men’s room, leaving him alone to request one more song as he gazed at me from across the bar.
His final play was “Send me a Sign” by the Thirst Traps. Such a plaintive song, with a deep, sexy beat. And the lyrics are full of humility.
So I sent him a sign by slowly unbuttoning the top button on my blouse.
