He gestures to something on the table before spinning his ball cap around, bill facing the back. I can’t see his features, but his dark wash jeans tighten over his magnificent ass when he bends over to line his cue along the felt. A loud strike rips my gaze from outlining his thighs as he straightens.
His face comes into view and my world shifts.
The slanted rays of the overhead light brighten his cheeks, drawing attention to the angled slope of his strong, stubbled jaw. His skin is flushed pink, his lips stretched in a stunning smile that takes my breath away.
He’s too far away for me to discern the color of his eyes or pick out the sound of his laugh amongst others, but something warm flickers to life in my chest.
Maybe he feels my stare because his gaze swoops up toward the balcony. Like the Peeping Tom I am, I shrink into the shadows and plunk myself down on the couch. The tremble in my hand matches my rattling heart as I reach for the untouched beer and take a long swig. A man who looks like thatdefinitelyknows how to make a woman lose her mind.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m debating doing something crazy, like walking down there and introducing myself. If I wasn’t a confused, anxiety-ridden mess, I would. I huff resignedly, wondering how much of my absurd reaction to this stranger is due to the alcohol I’ve consumed. Then again, it’s been alongtime since I’ve felt human touch in a sexual manner.
Decisions. Another horrible D-word. Maybe this is how I harken new beginnings. By stepping out of my comfort zone to pursue a gorgeous man. I stand up, wiping my damp palms on my jeans as I give myself a pep talk.
I can do this!I can totally do it. Maybe.
Anything else I might’ve told myself is lost in a series of sharp barks that puncture my ballooning thoughts. Brows furrowed, I peer behind me, doing a double take when I see. . .him.
2
CALLUM
My pants are woofing and I don’t know what to do.
The woman whose firm ass I was admiring turns, dark lashes lifting slowly. Golden light drenches her brown skin in a healthy glow, her silky black hair forming a seductive halo around her face. Confusion flickers across her face until her chocolate eyes lock with mine and my breath hitches.
Jesus, she’s beautiful.
My phone buzzes again, incessant barks in a recognizable melody filling the air, but I don’t dare look away. Her sharp, upturned nose twitches when, blessedly, my phone falls silent. I mentally beg whoever is calling to stop. Novak is going to find ice shoved down his pants at our next practice. I justknowhe’s the culprit. No one else’s musical tastes are this horrendous. “Who Let The Dogs Out?” Ugh.
I stand motionless, like an absolute fucking idiot, all words lost to embarrassment. What the hell am I supposed to say to a pretty girl who finds me creeping behind her withbarking pants? Like an awkward teenager caught jerking off by his parents, I force a grin that comes out as a grimace. Her brows clash as her sight homes in on the drink I’m holding. The perfect shape of her lips draws my attention as her soft voice reaches my ears.
“Is that a mango mojito?”
Thank fucking god for mangoes.
“It is.” I don’t give two shits if I’m wrong. I was bringing the drink up for Chloe, but I don’t see my blonde friend anywhere. Who I do see, and am interested in, is this new face.
”Ireallywant one,“ she says quietly, staring at my glass like it contains nirvana.
“It’s yours,” I offer, enjoying the immediate flare of interest in her eyes. “As long as you promise me one thing.”
“Which is?”
“You agree to forget that, the first time you saw me, my pants barked at you.”
Her lips twitch as she rolls them in, unsuccessfully biting back her smile.
“That’s asking for a lot. It was a memorable entrance,” she teases, her voice low and smoky. Instantly, that giddy feeling I get when flirting with someone interesting sends a bolstering shot of energy through me. My clothes don’t normally speak for me but in Ms. Mojito’s case. . .woof.
“Besides,” she murmurs, nibbling her lip like she’s unsure of something. Or herself. “We don’t even know each other.”
“I can fix that in about five minutes.”
Her shapely brow arches before she turns to look outward, wordlessly inviting me to stand next to her as she mulls over my words.
“I should warn you,” I add. “I fully intend to try and change your mind about hating on D.”
The prettiest shade of crimson smatters across her cheeks when she gasps, “You heard me?”