Page 20 of Peasants and Kings
“SINNNERS neat. Thank you.”
After the bartender set the glass of amber liquid on a coaster, he said, “Enjoy.” He moved away to the other end of the bar to talk to another patron.
The stranger scooped up a dollop of marrow and placed it on a slice of grilled Tuscan bread.
“Do you eat?” he asked.
My mouth flickered up in amusement. “On occasion. Why? Are you asking me to dinner?”
He looked at me. “Why go to dinner when there’s food in front of us right now?” The man took his bread plate and set down the grilled Tuscan bread slathered with bone marrow and placed it in front of me.
“Are you adventurous?” he asked.
I boldly met his gaze. “Are we still talking about food?”
His jaw clenched again and the muscles near his neck pulsed lightly, and without bothering with a piece of bread, he spooned out the bone marrow and slid it between his lips.
I picked up what he’d set in front of me and took a bite. The bone marrow tasted like rich, decadent sin sliding down my throat. With my eyes focused on him, I couldn’t help but wonder howhetasted.
I devoured the bone marrow in a few bites, not caring how it came across. As I ate, he watched me with resolve.
“If I didn’t have a very important business meeting soon, I’d ask if you wanted to get a hotel suite for the afternoon.”
“Just the afternoon?” I breathed.
He nodded slowly.
My nipples tightened as a shot of desire zinged through my veins, and a gentle throbbing pulsed between my legs.
He leaned forward ever so slightly toward me. “What are you doing later tonight?”
The reality of my circumstances, and the fact that I was waiting to finish an interview to become a high-class escort came crashing back, effectively obliterating the bubble of desire I would’ve gladly remained in.
“I’m busy.”
“Too bad.” His cell phone rang and he reached into his breast pocket to pull it out. He looked at me, his blue-gray eyes hard when moments ago they’d been openly lustful. “When you change your mind, leave your name and number with the front desk of the hotel.”
He got up from his stool, and without a backward glance, put the phone to his ear and strode out of the Bar and Restaurant.
When I change my mind?
Arrogant ass.
My nipples didn’t seem to care that he was an arrogant ass.
He didn’t ask for my name; he hadn’t cared to. I didn’t even know his, since he’d never offered it.
I looked at my phone, and saw it was already two o’clock. There had been no word from Genevieve.
Was this a test? Was she waiting for me to decide one way or another, refusing to coerce, instead leaving the choice to me?
It would make her life easier if I walked out of The Rex and never returned.
I opened my clutch and pulled out a few bills and left them next to my water glass and then I hopped off the stool.
The blonde reservationist at the front counter was in the middle of a phone call, and I impatiently waited for her to give me her attention. She smiled at me as she hung up.
“Hello, ma’am. Checking in?”
