One Lucky Bastard by Abby Wood Page A

two, three…
    The man sat down and remained silent. Although, the heat from his gaze warmed her skin. She squirmed on the stool. His lack of conversation piqued her curiosity. If he bought her a drink, wasn’t he going to try to flirt a little?
    The bartender returned with two small tumblers filled with rich, creamy-colored liquid swimming in ice. She smiled and picked up the glass. The least she could do was acknowledge the man.
    “Thank you for the drink.” She turned, and the sip she was preparing to take never met her lips.
    Dark haired with a sprinkle of silver at the temples, the man wore sexy like a second skin. Black slacks with a white silk dress shirt against his tan skin screamed sophisticated…and dangerous. She pegged him at forty-eight, maybe fifty years old, because of the lines at the outside edges of his dark brown eyes.
    He lifted the corner of his mouth, a very tantalizing mouth with full lips, and showed a hint of a teasing manner. “Go ahead, take another sip.”
    She raised the glass and let the ice-cold liquor coat her tongue. Her eyelids fluttered at the rich, decadent taste. Between the allure of the older man, the cologne he wore, and the taste of her favorite drink, she’d be surprised if she could concentrate on any type of social conversation.
    “Again.” He lifted his glass, daring her to follow his order.
    Her nipples hardened under the almost see-through blouse. His gaze swept down and settled on her reaction to him. Not wanting to disappoint, she savored another mouthful. Holding it on her tongue, she moaned softly. Oh God, this is wicked.
    “Good?” His lips curved as he stared at her mouth.
    She shuddered under his gaze. “Y-yes. Delicious.”
    “Are you here with someone?”
    She gazed at the way he raised his arm and brought his drink to his mouth. He held the glass under his nose, inhaling the sweet aroma before gently setting the rim against his lower lip. Her lower stomach quivered, and she found herself leaning forward, closer, to take in the way the tumbler caressed his lips before he swallowed.
    He smiled. The lines at the corner of his eyes crinkled in amusement. “I take it you’re here by yourself?”
    “I came with a girlfriend, but she’s meeting her boyfriend for dinner.” She glanced across the bar. “I decided to have a drink before joining them.”
    “Excellent. I’d love to share your company, and maybe we can get to know one another?” He gazed around the room. “I’m glad I decided to stop in and have a drink before heading home.”
    Nodding, she smiled. Could he be more perfect?
    “Deb.”
    She slowly turned around and found Cheryl standing in the bar, frowning. Wrinkling her nose, Debbie knew her friend wasn’t going to like hearing that she changed her mind. She’d go a year without dates to continue sitting at the bar with the promise of seeing Mr. Sexy again, if only to soak in his presence for a little longer.
    “The guys are here, and there’s a table ready for us.” Her friend glanced over at the man beside her and quickly ignored him. “Get your ass off the stool, girlfriend, and let’s go.”
    Debbie sucked her bottom lip in and caught it between her teeth. “I—”
    “She’s staying here.”
    Cheryl’s head shifted on her neck, and her eyes widened. “Excuse me? I don’t believe I was talking to you.” She pivoted and turned her back on him. “Why is this old dude telling you what to do? What’s going on, Debbie? I thought you said you’d give the guy Gary’s bringing with him a chance.”
    “I…I changed my mind.” She gave a short laugh. “I’m sorry. Things have changed.” Looking over at the man, she smiled. “Go on without me, Cheryl. I’ll make this up to you. I swear.”
    Cheryl leaned in and whispered in her ear, “He’s twice your age. Are you drunk?”
    She threw back her head and laughed. “Not at all. For the first time, I’m doing exactly what I want.”
    Cheryl gazed at both of them, scrunched