Paradise Tempted: The Beginning (Paradise Stories) by L.B. Dunbar Page B

focused on mine as I dared him to cough, to sputter, or to react. He didn't. He asked for another, only this time he seemed more interested in nursing it. I wandered back to the end of the bar and began reading again.
    "Whatcha reading?" he blurted.
    I looked up to find dark brown eyes questioning me. I lowered my red-framed glasses to look at him more intensely. A short sleeve t-shirt hugged his large biceps. He looked tan, but not ethnic; a scruff of facial hair, that looked trim, short dark hair, shaved close to the head. His presence screamed danger, but his eyes begged for something else.
    "Human anatomy," I replied. He nodded.
    "Know what that is?" I snarked without thinking. I don't know why I baited him.
    "I might know a thing or two about it." Those dark eyes roamed my body as if he had X-ray vision. He'd taken a mental picture of my insides and knew I was inexperienced in the ways of anatomical intimacy.
    "Well, name two," I laughed.
    "Two?" he questioned, as he sipped the whiskey in front of him.
    "A thing or two of the human anatomy?" I replied, standing taller from my leaned over position.
    "Penis and pu...."
    "Alright," I responded loudly, holding up my hand to halt his words. "You're a virtual doctor." Sarcasm dripped from my tone.
    "The doctor is in." He had a lopsided grin that was a bit endearing and I had to giggle. "What would you like to learn?" he inquired.
    "For real?" I questioned.
    "For. Real," he whispered loudly.
    "Fine. Are those real?" I eyed his large biceps that seemed accentuated as he balanced his elbows on the bar.
    "Are those?" He glanced obviously at my chest. I should have been insulted. I was insulted, but he was so blatant, I laughed in a nervous giggle. I nodded.
    "Lesson over," I said trying to sound stern. I replaced my glasses and glanced down at my book. The words swam before me. There was silence followed by a sigh.
    "I'm sorry," he muttered. I didn't respond.
    "I work out. A lot. Yes, they're real." He glanced down at his right arm, and I noticed the twirl of a tattoo over his bicep and down his forearm.
    "What else do you want to know?" he asked.
    I shook my head. I wasn't interested in continuing this conversation. I shook my head again and reread the same sentence three times before he spoke again.
    "Come on. Ask," he demanded.
    "Fine. Do you take drugs? Is that how they got so large? I mean, it seems unnatural. Do they even feel...real?" I barked in a rapid rumble of words.
    He blinked at me and the dark eyes turned lighter as he laughed at me.
    "No, I don't take drugs that enhance my performance." He winked at me before continuing in a more serious tone. "I work. Hard." His emphasis on the last word was not lost on me.
    I nodded and looked back at my textbook. He ordered another drink, and I poured him a smaller sample of the Passion. The rousing women were getting louder and a few sent glances in the man's direction. My thoughts included images of him with one of them. I didn't like the idea that they would use him for his body to ease the pain of their heart.
    We only offered light fare after the dinner hour, so I wasn't responsible to feed anyone. My big friend at the bar was going to need something despite his large size. Grandpa's Passion was strong. I excused myself to the kitchen, to rid my mind of the woman who approached the bar to hit on the buff man, and also to make him a sandwich to absorb the alcohol.
    I returned to find the woman removed, and I gently placed the plate of food before him. He looked up at me, and those dimming brown eyes questioned me.
    "You need sustenance if you’re going to keep drinking Grandpa's Passion," I explained. I returned to my books, and I felt his smile on my back. He took a few bites before he addressed me again.
    "Got another question?" he asked. I looked up uncertain what he meant. "I'd like to help you with your anatomy," he said. I didn't miss the undertone, but the image of him with one of the recent divorcees came into my