Warmth that had nothing to do with sexual attraction spread through her. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced towards a man, especially one she barely knew.
And it made her very curious to learn where it might lead.
Chapter Seven
Callan couldn’t quite read Roxy’s expression, but her smile told him he had accomplished whatever it was she needed from him. That was enough to satisfy him.
The moment he paused inside the door of the bar and heard her laugh, he’d figured out why he’d been so drawn to enter. He couldn’t explain the unusual compulsion any more than he could explain why he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her over the past month. But when he looked up and saw her, it felt fated.
It hadn’t been difficult to reason that she was there with coworkers. The interesting mix of ages, races, and genders combined with their professional attire gave him plenty of clues. So he took up camp at the bar, sensing Roxy would seek him out eventually.
Just when he’d been considering ordering a second drink, he caught her wave. The anxiety he read in her coworker’s body language told its own story, and he hadn’t hesitated to come to her aid.
“So,” he said now, “am I right that I was just used as a distraction to avoid a difficult conversation?”
“You were. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. You can use me any time you like.”
She shook her head at him. “That was terrible. Quite beneath you.” As he started to reply, she added, “And I’d withhold any comments about me being beneath you. You should quit while you’re ahead.”
He wisely stayed silent.
“That’s what I thought,” she said, giving his shoulder a playful shove. “Thanks for coming over. Joe there was about to ask me out and I really didn’t want to break his heart.”
“That guy?” Callan pointed a thumb towards the door her coworker had just exited.
“Mmhmm.”
“Huh. Well, it sure would’ve been obliging of you to take his virginity from him.”
She laughed loudly, clearly not expecting the comment. He grinned at her. But seriously, that kid barely looked old enough to shave.
“Kudos to him,” he said. “He has excellent taste in women.”
Her beautiful eyes glimmered in appreciation. “Now that’s much better.”
“I thought so.” Seeing that her glass was empty, he asked, “You want another drink?”
“Actually, I’ve had enough. I wouldn’t say no to some food, though.”
It pleased him to hear she wanted to extend their time together. “How would you feel about moving somewhere more private?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Follow me.”
He rose and extended his hand. She took it and slid gracefully from her bar stool, deftly smoothing the body-hugging knee-length skirt she wore with her free hand before collecting the clutch purse resting on top of the table. He took a moment to appreciate her incredible legs and the elegant black heels she wore before starting across the bar with her.
The last time Callan had visited The Copper Keg, he’d gotten the chance to meet the owner, a former NBA player name Dominique Vega. Callan had approached Dominique to congratulate him on the success of the bar and they’d ended up sharing a couple beers, then a couple of tequila shots. Once they bonded over alcohol and stories about life as professional athletes, Dominique had proudly shown him around, including parts of the establishment that were meant for VIPs only. As of that afternoon, Dominique declared, Callan was a VIP.
It was to the VIP area that Callan headed with Roxy. He had given the bartender the heads up that he anticipated visiting one of the back rooms, so the path had already been cleared. He exchanged nods with the plainclothes security officer stationed there and passed through the door separating the bar from the back rooms.
He glanced back at Roxy to see how she was reacting. She looked around the hallway they were in with obvious curiosity and interest. He suspected she enjoyed being surprised.
He enjoyed being the one to surprise her.
There were three doors on the right side of the hallway. Each one had an LED screen next to it. Two of them were dark, telling him they weren’t in use. The third was lit with the initials C.M.
He opened the door and stepped aside to allow Roxy to enter first. When she did, he took the opportunity to watch the sway of her hips and how her skirt conformed to her shapely ass. Combined with that fabulous scent of hers trailing in her wake, it was enough to have him more than half aroused.
“What is this place?” she asked.
He followed her inside and closed the door, taking in the lit-up bar against the back wall, the club chairs surrounding a cocktail table beside the bar, the huge flat-screen television imbedded into the wall, and the spectacular pool table set up in the middle of the room. There was also a sound system, dart board, cigar humidor, wine fridge, and private bathroom. Dominique had spared no expense to make his VIPs comfortable…and help ensure they came back and spent more money at his bar.
“One of the VIP rooms,” he said. “Top secret.”
She gave him a look that said Oh, really? and mimed buttoning her lips.
He grinned. “Why don’t we get some food ordered?”
“Absolutely.”
They moved over to the bar, where a leather-bound menu stood on the countertop. Callan reached for the menu and handed it to her.
“I’m not sure how your tastes run,” he said, “but this place has the best nachos on the planet.”
She handed the menu right back. “Nachos actually sound perfect.”
He loved that she didn’t say she wanted a side salad, hold the dressing. “Maybe with something sweet to end the meal?” he suggested.
Looking at him through her lashes, she replied, “Maybe.”
And his arousal ramped up another notch.
He picked up the phone on the bar and placed their order with the person who answered. He went with his instincts and ordered a sampling of shot glass desserts in addition to the nachos. Then he poured himself a couple fingers of whiskey in one of the bar glasses.
“You want a bottle of water?” he asked.
She paused next to the pool table, where she was stroking the green velvet like a lover. “You know what? I’ll have the water, but pour me some of that whiskey, too.”
“Sure.”
Once he did, he carried her glass over to her. She took it, thanked him, and held her glass out until he touched his to it.
“To the whims of fate,” she said.
“I’ll drink to that.”
They each sipped their whiskey. The blend was smooth. It slid like warm, liquid caramel down his throat, leaving only the slightest burn in its wake.
“Wow. That’s delicious,” Roxy said.
“Dangerously so.”
He set his glass down on the cocktail table and waited for her to do the same. As they stood next to each other with less than a foot between them, the air grew thick with sexual tension.
“We’ve got a while until the food gets here,” he said. “Any thoughts on how to pass the time?”
She moved even closer to him, close enough that her scent once again invaded his senses and sent his heart rate into overdrive. She lifted her hand and placed it on his chest. He wondered if she felt how his heart hammered in his chest.