“Oh.” Sienna looked down at her coffee cup, unsure how to respond. Something had stirred inside her when he said he didn’t have someone “special.” She should be glad he didn’t live in Vegas, but Carson interrupted her thoughts.
“Don’t get me wrong, that type of thing works for some people, and I get it. It must be nice to have that type of deal, I don’t really know for sure. My mom left when I was little and never came back, so I don’t really remember that between my parents. I imagine it feels secure, nice, but my life is too crazy.” He shook his head, as if to shake away the memories, and caught her eye. “But enough about me.”
Oh no.
“Did you grow up here in Vegas?” Carson asked, lightening the mood with a grin.
Between his smile and the toffee-colored glint in his warm brown eyes, Sienna had no idea where to look first. She was completely captivated with the man in front of her, and feared she was falling hard and fast for something that wasn’t even a possibility. Even if Carson wanted it.
She had to think quickly. If she allowed herself to hesitate, Sienna was certain Carson would coax all her secrets from her. “I didn’t grow up in Vegas,” she said carefully. “Military family, so I moved a lot growing up, mostly Eastern Seaboard.” She wrapped her hands around her still-warm coffee mug, seeking its heat and comfort since she was rattled by both the conversation and her train of thought.
“Tell me more. What are you into? What do you do when you’re not working?” He leaned in toward her.
Her heart pounded. She smelled his unique scent, mostly manly, a bit woodsy, although now it was mixed with the leftover essence of chocolate-cinnamon scone and strong coffee. It was captivating.
“Actually, I don’t do much other than work and dance. I read when I have a chance. Oh, and I garden around my place and Asher’s.” She busied her idle hands with her hair again.
“Asher, he owns the club, right?”
“Yes. Asher Peterson owns the Tunnel. He’s also my neighbor and closest friend. My house is behind his.” Sienna added the last tidbit as a little deterrent.
Deterrent to what? She wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep Carson from getting close, or remind herself to stay far away.
“Do you have hobbies when you’re home?” She finally steadied her hands and reached for her cappuccino.
“Other than running, which I try to do everywhere, I boat during the summer, and I have a motorcycle.” He flashed a huge grin when he revealed this little fact. “Otherwise, I work and enjoy a couple good cocktails on the weekend. That’s it. Pretty simple.”
Carson shifted his big frame in his seat before leaning in once again toward Sienna. She had no idea what he was doing, and was fearful for the first time since seeing him in the club. Was he going to reach out and touch her? Kiss her?
She wasn’t ready for that…was she? She might never be ready.
I want to kiss him, but what if I’m not good at it?
Biting her lower lip, she stole a quick glance out at the parking lot. Seeing Mike still in his spot with his eyes on the coffee shop relaxed her a little.
Still, what would she do if he got any closer? Jump up and run out to Mike? Start waving her hands in the air to get Mike’s attention? Either way, she’d look ridiculous. She had no choice other than to focus on Carson and try to finish the coffee date.
Still chewing on her lip, Sienna tried to focus on what was happening in front of her. She quietly inhaled his scent, smelled the pungent combination on his breath, and almost wanted to lean in herself and taste the cinnamon and coffee right from his mouth.
“Sienna, look. I know this is pretty unconventional. I’ve never hung out at a place like the Tunnel a few weeks in a row, let alone asked a dancer out before. From the little I know and what you’ve told me, I also know you don’t typically go out with customers. So this is odd for both of us, but there’s something that keeps drawing me to you.” He paused for a second, his gaze roaming from her eyes to her lips, then back again. “I really don’t know what it is or means, especially since I told you I’m basically a no-strings attached kind of guy, but I’d like to find out.”
His breath tickled along her cheek as he talked, continuing to assail her senses. She found herself speechless, both from what he said, as well as how he made her feel.
She opened her mouth to respond, but hesitated, pressing her lips tightly before she was finally able to put a few words together. “Yes, this is a bit out of both of our comfort zones. For me, everything is awkward because I don’t date. Ever. And you’re more like a love-’em-and-leave-’em bachelor.”