Time Will Tell (Maybe #3)(4)

I choke on my drink. “I manage.”

We all hang out for the next hour before we pile into two maxi taxis and head to the pub. The place is packed when we get there, pretty usual for a Friday night. I start to regret wearing four inch heels as we line up to enter. With a stamp on each of our wrists, we walk inside as one big group, but soon split up as some of the girls head for the bar and some for the dance floor. April and I choose the dance floor. I try to let loose as much as I can, swaying to the music.

A few songs later, I tap April on the shoulder. “I’m going to get some water. Do you want some?”

She shakes her head and flashes me a smile that I return. I head to the bar then open my handbag and take out my wallet. When I look up to my right, I do a double take.

Wow.

I’ve definitely never seen this man before. I’d never forget that chiselled face, shoulder length light brown hair, hazel eyes, a strong jaw, and lips I wouldn’t mind sucking on. He is beautiful and I’m intrigued. I’ve never felt an instant attraction like this before in my life, and I don’t know how to react. Sucking in a shallow breath, I look straight ahead of me. Okay, I need another look. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I tilt my head slightly to raise my gaze to his to find him already looking in my direction.

Busted.

“Hi,” he says, lips kicking up at each corner.

He has a sexy smile, too.

I look around, making sure he’s talking to me.

He is.

Shit. He is.

I scan his features once more.

He’s good-looking.

No, he’s more than that. He’s f*cking good-looking.

Delicious.

Amazing.

Wow.

How long have I been staring?

My gaze lowers to his full lips, currently curled up on each side with a cute dimple in his chin. Both of his arms are covered in tattoos, two full sleeves, and I can see some peeking out from his black t-shirt.

“Hi,” I reply, pushing my hair back behind my ear. I avert my eyes and look straight ahead, trying to get the bartender’s attention.

“Are you here with someone?” he asks in that deep tone of his, scanning the bar before bringing his gaze back to me.

“My friends,” I reply, cheeks flushing slightly under his penetrating stare.

“What’s your name—”

“Hey, sexy,” a woman purrs as she slides up next to him.

He turns his head and smiles at her, but it looks forced. “Hello.”

“Would you like to dance?” she asks, licking her lips invitingly.

He shakes his head, turning to look at me for a second before returning to her. “No, thank you.”

“Are you sure?” she asks, batting her eyelashes. “Maybe you could give me your number and I can call you some other time?”

“Sorry,” he replies, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m not interested.”

It’s an embarrassing thing to watch, someone being rejected, but I can’t seem to look away.

She turns from him, glares at me, and then walks away. What the hell did I do?

“Can I get you a drink?” he asks, making me glance at him again.

“Thanks, but it’s okay,” I reply, smiling. “What’s your name?”

“Sexy, apparently,” he muses, his lip twitching.

Well, the woman wasn’t wrong.

“Are you just stopping through town?” I ask, curious about him.

He nods. “That obvious, huh?”

I’d never seen him around before, so I’d taken a guess. I order a bottle of water and pay for it myself.

“Stubborn,” I hear him mutter under his breath.

My eyebrows arch. “Because I don’t want a stranger buying me a drink?”

His lips twitch. “Okay, if it was anyone other than me offering, I’d say it was smart.”

“Are you the exception to every rule then?”

“You said it, not me,” he replies with a smirk.

April walks up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. “Trillian, who the hell is this delicious man?”

The man in question smiles at April, and then looks back at me. “Trillian,” he says slowly, as if testing it on his tongue. “Beautiful.”

April digs her fingers into me. “Holy shit.”

I glare at her, which she painfully ignores.

“Do you want to dance, Trillian?”

I swallow hard. Do I want to dance?

He holds his hand out and I take it without thinking. April is always telling me I need to be more spontaneous, to let go every once in a while, to take a few chances every now and again. Why not start now? He leads me to the centre of the dance floor. He boldly puts his hands on my waist and pulls me flush against him.

“Is this where they’ve been hiding all the beautiful women?” he says in my ear, making goose bumps appear on my arms.

“There are lots of beautiful women in Channon,” I say, looking around.

I’m nervous. I don’t do too well with new people and someone like him is way out of my comfort zone. However, for some reason, I don’t want to leave.

He shakes his head as if I’ve missed his meaning and pulls me closer to him. Moving his body in rhythm to the music, his eyes never leave mine. Of course, he’s a good dancer, too. I look down shyly as I sway my hips. A finger lifts my chin back up. “You have no idea how stunning you are, do you?”