Page 25 of Bourbon Bliss
His body was hard—masculine and well-muscled. I hadn’t even thought about the way he smelled until he’d mentioned scent. Smell had a powerful effect on the brain, and his was lighting up places I hadn’t realized were there. I was filled with his woodsy, clean scent. Neurons fired like fireworks over the lake, producing explosions of sensation.
My spine tingled and my heart pounded. We swayed in silence as the song came to an end. His cheek still rested against my head and he held my hand tucked against his chest.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes. It was like coming awake after a vivid dream. The world seemed hazy and indistinct. Another song began—a song with a faster beat—and George led me to the side of the dance floor.
“Thank you for the dance.” He still had my hand in his and he brought it up to his lips. Kissed the backs of my fingers.
“Thank you. That was…”
He raised his eyebrows, waiting for me to finish.
“It was very stimulating.”
That grin was back, slow and sexy and distracting. “Good. I thought so too. Can I buy you a drink?”
I blinked at him in surprise.
“Is that a yes, or a no?” he asked.
“Why?”
“Why do I want to buy you a drink?”
“Buying a woman a drink is a customary action in human mating rituals.”
“Hmm,” he said, tilting his head. He actually lookedinterested. Most people listened to me, then moved on with the conversation when I was finished speaking. “I suppose you’re right. Is that a problem?”
“Well… no.”
“Don’t worry, June. I’m not the kind of man who’ll push his human mating rituals too far. I like to feel things out first. I enjoyed dancing with you, and I like talking to you. We’re in a bar, so my next logical move is to buy you a drink so we can sit and talk more. That sounds nice to me. If it sounds nice to you, say yes.”
“Yes.”
He smiled again and it made my legs feel shaky and unstable. “Good. What can I get you?”
“A bourbon bliss.”
“I would not have pegged you as a bourbon drinker, but I like it. One bourbon bliss, coming up.”
There was a small table with two stools a few steps from where I stood. I sat and waited for George to come back with my drink. Cassidy and Scarlett were across the bar, watching me. They leaned their heads together and spoke, their faces animated. Scarlett pointed at me and Cassidy batted her arm down.
I turned my gaze away from them. I didn’t like being the object of their scrutiny, but I didn’t blame them. I never danced, and men never bought me drinks at the Lookout. This was wholly uncharted territory for all of us.
A few moments later, George returned with my drink. I noticed Nicolette behind the bar, watching me too. She winked and I looked away, tucking my hair behind my ear.
George slid my drink across the table and sat on the other stool. His drink appeared identical to mine and he brought it to his mouth to sip.
I couldn’t stop staring at him. At his mouth, and his dimples. At his broad shoulders and thick chest. His long arms and strong hands.
He set his glass down. “This is good.”
I took a drink, needing a second to collect myself. I never drank to excess, but you didn’t grow up in a town like Bootleg Springs and not develop an appreciation for alcoholic beverages.
“This is generally my drink of choice. I also appreciate good moonshine, particularly of the apple pie variety.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of apple pie moonshine.”
“It’s quite remarkable when crafted properly.”
