Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Chess turns her head away from her date and hides a yawn in her hand. It could be that she’s simply tired, but I see the boredom in her expression, and that strained when the hell is this going to be over look in her eyes. I know that look, because I’ve worn it, too.
“You know,” I say, still watching. “It would be rude if we didn’t go in and say hello.”
A slow grin spreads over Jake’s mouth. “After we’ve spotted her and all.”
I match that grin. “And we’re nothing, if not polite.”
“Perfect gentlemen.” Jake tugs the brim of his cap down farther over his brow. “I’ll take care of the date.”
I clasp his shoulder. “Good man.”
Chess
There has got to be a better way to find love. I take an anemic sip of my watery vodka tonic and try to search for something to say to Evan, my date. As dates go, this isn’t the worst one I’ve had. Not at all. It’s just off.
Which is disappointing. I had high hopes. Physically, Evan is exactly what I look for, with his soulful brown eyes, full tattoo sleeves, thick but trimmed beard. He caught my eye last week when we both stopped to listen to a zydeco band playing on Royal Street. He’d been engaging then, witty enough to have me agreeing to this date.
Now?
I give him a smile that feels strained. “So, you’re a tattoo artist.” Great, you’ve only mentioned his job twice already. “How is that going?”
Oh, holy hell, maybe I’m the boring one.
His pinched expression pretty much agrees. “Can’t complain. I live for skin.” That probably sounded better in his head.
I take a sip of my drink. I don’t miss the way the bartender shakes his head as he puts away a glass. Yes, we’re that pathetic. This date is going down like a week-old balloon. And it hurts. Not the loss of this particular guy, but the loss of a possible connection. Simple, basic connection. Someone to hold me, make me feel good. It’s been so long since I’ve had good sex, I’m beginning to forget how it feels to be touched in reverence. And that fucking hurts.
Evan lets out a sigh, and I’m hit with a waft of garlic and stale cigarette smoke.
That’s the other thing; he has terrible breath. Why didn’t I notice this before? Maybe it’s just tonight? Should it matter? Everyone has bad breath now and then.
“Chess?”
I blink out of my fog, ready to answer Evan, when I realize the voice that had spoken was deeper, laced in an innate sense of confidence and command. That voice grabs hold of my spine like a hot hand, sending prickles over my skin. No, God no, not him. He cannot be here to witness this fiasco.
Even as the thought runs through my brain, my stupid traitor of a body begins to hum with happy anticipation.
Bracing myself, I turn and come face-to-face with my tormentor, my rescuer—Finn Mannus. Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world . . . From beneath the brim of a battered Mickey Mouse ball cap, his blue eyes twinkle. There’s such sly humor in his gaze that I’m hard-pressed not to smile.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he says, crowding my seat. He isn’t exactly insinuating his big frame between Evan and me, but it’s a close thing.
“Who did I piss on in a prior life to deserve this?” I mutter, even as my body stirs with renewed energy. Really, I’m full of shit because I’m happy to see him. My mouth can lie, but my heart knows the truth.
He’s close enough that the warm length of his arm brushes against mine. “Some say my presence is a blessing.”
“It doesn’t count if you pay them to say that,” I lob back.
He chuckles low and easy. “It was only the one time, I swear.”
My lip twitches. He sees it, his eyes bright with shared humor.
Jake Ryder takes the moment to make himself known. “Chess!” He bumps into both Finn and me. “Can you believe this coincidence?” He says it with such obvious exaggeration that I give Finn a look.
He’s got a good poker face, but the fact that he’s even wearing one makes me wary. “Is it, now?” I drawl.
Again, Finn flashes a quick smile meant to charm and evade. He leans in a touch, and his voice rubs over my skin. “I was just nowhere near your neighborhood.”
My heart gives a little kick. “I’d never imagine you’d quote Singles, Mannus.”
A strangled sound to my right snags my attention. Evan is gaping at us like he’s seen a ghost. Right. Evan. I’d forgotten he was there.
“Finn Mannus,” he says in an awed voice. “Seriously?”
Finn gives him an easy, aw-shucks grin. “Yep.”
“Wow.” Evan’s gaze pings from me to Finn and then back to me. “You didn’t say you knew Manny.”