Cousins: An Alpha Bad Boy Romance(24)

"As a courtesy I'd like to cover your drinks for tonight and add a credit to your party's bill."

Oh crap! The party. How long have I been gone?

"Well that's very kind of you Mr. Edmonds. But it was totally my–"

"You may want to speak to that kid's parents," the stranger abruptly interrupts. "They were nowhere in the vicinity when this whole thing happened. I'm concerned for you as well with liability issues and all."

"Of course sir." He turns to me, "I actually remember the party you came in with Miss. I'll be sure to credit the check appropriately."

Mr. Edmonds fidgets with his watch and waits for what I think is his dismissal. The stranger just stares at him waiting. It's an uneasy standoff. I can tell that the stranger takes great pleasure in punking other men. Not something I approve of, but I admit it's nice to know that he can handle himself. As if there was ever any doubt.

"Ok well ... you both have a pleasant evening and enjoy your meal."

The stranger nods with a smug look on his face.

I smile at Mr. Edmonds, and hope that he realizes that my grin is not a self-satisfied one but more of an apology than anything.

"You could have let me finish what I was going to say to the poor man," I say to the stranger as soon as Mr. Edmonds walks away.

"I could have but it sounded like you were going to say that it was totally your fault or some such bullshit."

I suck in a breath of surprise at his bluntness. "Well, it was my fault."

"Nope," he says matter of factly. "It wasn't."

"Well, thank you anyhow."

"No thanks necessary, but I would like something in return."

"What?" I ask shifting my feet nervously.

"Relax Duchess. I just want you to stay and finish your drink with me."

"Duchess? Umm–" I squirm a little not knowing how to respond to being given a nickname by him. I like it, but I damn sure don't want to like it.

"We're not strangers anymore." He flashes a delicious grin featuring that dimple of his again, and I could just melt on the spot. "And I give all my friends nicknames."

I watch him swirl and sip on what looks and smells like a whiskey highball. His posture exuding nothing but sheer dominance. Tonight he's wearing a pair of black pants with a black button down shirt, sleeves loosely rolled up mid-forearm, and a pair of black chucks to dress it all down. His five o'clock shadow is heavier today and like someone with a zit on their face, my eyes seem to be constantly drawn to the scar on his face. He's so frackin' beautiful, I can't stand it.

As I gawk at him, he seems to be quietly studying me as well. Like he's trying to figure me out, as if I'm some sort of brain-teaser or five thousand piece jigsaw puzzle. There's something about the way he observes me which is extremely unnerving and provocative.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I blurt out before I even realize what I'm saying.

"How am I looking at you?"

"Like a piece of chicken."

Someone tape my mouth shut please.

He lets out a low chuckle highlighting that lone dimple again, which gives me the sudden urge to crawl up his body like a flagpole and lick the side of his face. I wish.

"I'm not a big talker, so I prefer to observe."

"Then why did you want me to have a drink with you? To just observe me?" I giggle nervously.

He moves closer to me. "Do you have a man Duchess?"

I look down at my feet when I answer his question. "Absolutely not."

"Oh, absolutely not. That's a strong statement. Not looking for anything serious are we?"

He lifts my chin with his fingers.

"Nope. I'm not looking for anything serious or casual." I hesitantly look in his eyes to gauge his reaction to my comment.

"Staying away from all men then?"

"Yep. They haven't been so good for my health." I try to joke when in actuality I'm serious as all hell.

He leans his head to the side. "So the fact that I have zero chance is what you're so eloquently trying to say."

I stare at him stunned. It was plain as day that he could have any woman he wanted, but was he actually saying he had some sort of real interest in me?

"I guess that's what I'm saying." I'm not even sure I believe the words coming out of my mouth.

"Bad relationship?"

"Something like that."

He pauses a moment and his body language shifts before he says the next thing.

"Have you ever had a no-strings sexual relationship with a man Duchess?"

I choke a little on my wine. He wants to have sex with me? That would be lovely if I wasn't such a scaredy-cat. There's no way in hell an inexperienced mess like me is going to sleep with someone like him. That's why I decide that I need to immediately shut this conversation down and get back to my party, before I say anything stupid like, No but I want one with you.