“Do I owe you twelve for that, too? Or is such sage advice free around here?”
I grab a glass from the shelf behind me and start shining it with my towel. “For her, it’s free. If you’d like some sage advice for yourself, it’ll cost you.”
He releases Kira and takes the few steps back to the bar in two long strides. With slow and purposeful movements, he reaches down and pushes the rum and Coke out of his way. When he looks back up at me, his features soften somewhat, the corners of his mouth curving up the tiniest bit. I meet his eyes, an impossibly clear dark blue, and my stomach does some weird flippy thing.
He tips his dark head, beckoning me closer. I don’t mean to move. I certainly don’t agree to lean in, but my body pays zero attention to my brain and is shifting toward him before I can stop myself. This guy is an asshole, my brain is screaming. He doesn’t deserve my time, much less for me to obey a nod of his imperious head. And yet, I do. And when I get a whiff of his cologne, my brain shuts off entirely and I have the inexplicable urge to lick my lips.
Or lick him.
Whichever.
“What’s your name?” he asks in the voice that, now that I think about it, is pretty damn yummy.
“Harper.”
“Can I give you some advice, Harper?”
I nod, treading water in his ocean-blue eyes. He reaches out and takes a piece of my hair, rubbing it between his fingers.
“You shouldn’t serve alcohol to minors in front of their older brothers. That could get you in trouble, no matter how gorgeous you are.” I feel my lips drop into an O.
“But her I.D. said—”
“It’s fake,” he explains, his expression turning hard again. “And if you ever suggest again that my little sister kick me in the balls when I’m just trying to protect her, I’ll come back here and give you the spanking she deserves.”
With that, he straightens, gives me a tight, cordial smile, and walks back to his sister. She’s looking over her shoulder at me as he hustles her away, mouthing, “Sorry.”
He opens the door and nudges her through it. Before it closes, he turns and gives me one last look. He’s frowning, but this time it seems almost…curious. Like he doesn’t quite know what to make of me. Before I can give it another thought, he disappears into the night.
Arrogant.
Uptight.
Domineering.
Asshole.
Why am I so turned on right now?
Tequila High Page 19
