Scarlet by Aria Cole Page A

knows where it had been, who it had been in. The guys that hung around these places were definitely not my type.  
    “Well Jenson, this isn’t really my scene, if you don’t mind,” I spun in my bar stool, finally catching a glimpse of the stranger.  
    Damp locks of hair fell over his forehead in a charming, just showered way. Dark stubble decorated a sharp jawline, his cheekbones high and his eyes the most astounding shade of ice blue I’d ever seen.  
    “You were saying?” His smile turned up and I knew I’d been caught.  
    “I-I don’t even remember, I think the drinks are getting to my head already.”
    “Drunk off a few lemon drops? You don’t get out much do you?”
    I shot him a sarcastic glance before catching sight of the drink in his hand. “Only a beer? Seems a little weak, don’t you think? I would have thought whiskey, bourbon, something a little more manly.” I didn’t know this guy, what did I have to lose? The point of tonight was to be someone different, and brazen was definitely different.
    This wasn’t my scene, he wasn’t my type, so why not engage in a little banter before I returned for the night?
    “Been a long day, and I’ve got another long one tomorrow. I’m taking it easy tonight.” His eyes sparked when he talked. I didn’t even know that was possible.  
    “So what do you do, Jenson?” I asked when he settled on the stool next to me.  
    “Ah, I work in athletics. You said this isn’t much of your scene, mind if I ask what is?”
    I chanced a glance at him, my lips turning up in a traitorous smile when I caught sight of his expectant look. “The library I suppose. Or the science department, I’m a biology major.”
    “Oh, college girl?”
    “You can drop the slutty college girl fantasies right now, I’m definitely not one of those.” I blurted before kicking myself for my candor.  
    His deep chuckle sent shivers down my spine.
    “Caught me.” He lifted his hands up in mock arrest.  
    “I knew it, I could see it all over your lascivious face.” I teased, sipping my lemon drop again.  
    “Lascivious?!” His bellow turned a few heads. Was I actually being funny? This was a new turn of events, I wasn’t the funny one, that was Taylor. “You wound me.”
    “I bet.” I laughed, finally feeling a little more loosened up, whether it was the shot, or the atmosphere, him or that intoxicating laugh.  
    “Your flirting leaves much to be desired.” He leaned in, whispering conspiratorially.  
    “What? No, I wasn’t flirting.”
    “Sure you were, isn’t that why you’re here? Flirting isn’t a sin, it’s connecting for a few brief moments with someone in a way that makes you feel good, no harm in that.” He shrugged and pulled away, taking a draw of his beer as he watched me as if he really enjoyed our conversation. I’d never connected with a man like this before, held his rapt attention. Well this will be short lived, won’t it?
    “You’re very philosophical for, what did you say you did again? Athletics?” I cocked and eyebrow.  
    “I travel a lot, gives me time to read.”  
    His reply took me by surprise. I hadn’t expected him to be a reader. A young, fit football coach maybe, but not a man who read books. I mean he was a dumb jock right?
    “What’s the last book you read?”  
    “Quizzing me now?” His grin lifted playfully. “I didn’t come here to learn.” He leaned across the energized space between us, his eyes lowering a fraction. “Dance with me.”

    To be continued…
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