"With a cherry, huh?" He raises his eyebrows. It's unconventional, but that's how I like it. "Anything to eat?" He gets everything at once while he has the time. The place is pretty packed.
"The steak salad."
"Coming up." The middle-aged man with the perfectly groomed beard and bald head grins, tapping his pen on the bar top, ingesting me the same way Benjamin is. Ben takes notice, and I may be crazy, but I swear I see a flicker of jealousy in his deep-green eyes. I shouldn't like that either, but I do.
After I order, several seconds of silence pass. I don't want it to get awkward or lose momentum, so I plan a second wave of attack. But just before I can ask my next question, Benjamin beats me to it.
"So, you ask my opinion and then completely ignore my suggestions. I'm a little insulted."
"Don't be." I press my lips together, trying not to smile. "I'm not a beer drinker, and I was looking for anything other than a patty between two buns." The bartender drops my drink.
"That's on the house, sweetie."
"Why is that?" I question him out of sheer curiosity. I know why, but I'm interested to see how he sugarcoats wanting to get in my pants.
"No reason." He smiles charismatically. "I don't need to give out free drinks to get laid." The bartender winks and takes the drink order of the person standing behind me. I'm left a little flabbergasted. I look over at Benjamin. "Was that some weird, reverse psychology come on?"
"Quite possibly." He takes a sip of his beer. "Can we go back to talking about buns?"
"Is it a subject that interests you?" I can't contain my amusement.
The devilish way his lips twist tells me buns is one of his favorite subjects.
"I'm Baz." He puts his hand out, and I look at it oddly. "Are you unfamiliar with the American custom of shaking hands?"
"Oh, no, of course not." I get with the program and place my hand in his. His skin is warm and smooth, and I feel the simple connection spread through my entire body like a hot shot of whiskey. How surreal.
"And you are . . . ?" he coaxes a response from me.
Don't tell him your real name. Don't tell him your real name.
"Stevie."
"Stevie." His tone communicates he approves. "That wasn't so hard."
He has no idea.
"So, Stevie. What brings you around here?"
"Do I scream tourist that loudly?" I scrunch my nose cutely, keeping up with the act.
"A little, yeah."
Truth? I'm here to kill you.
"Hot springs," I rush out.
"Ah, checking out Pagosa Springs?"
"No." I suck on my straw seductively. "Too crowded. I read there are a couple of springs you can hike to in the area. I want to experience one in its natural form."
Am I good or what? Told you I did my research. Cover, ironclad.
"That's very adventurous of you," Baz acknowledges.
"Do I not look like the adventurous type?" I bat my eyelashes innocently, laying it on real thick.
Baz sizes me up. I like that name so much better than Benjamin. It sounds like a guy who knows how to fuck. Who knows what he wants and doesn't hesitate to go after it.
Baz leans in closer. "I think a woman who looks as sweet as you and drinks Jack has secrets to tell."
I wonder how many shades of pink my cheeks turn from our proximity and his highly attuned instincts about people. I wonder if he can see right through me. If my ruse isn't a ruse at all. The bartender drops my salad in front of me, and I suddenly feel claustrophobic.
"Excuse me, can I get this to go?" I push the plate away. I've lost my appetite.
Both the bartender and Baz share the same bewildered expression.
"Everything okay, sweetie?"
"Fine." I feign a smile and suck down my drink. "It's just time for me to leave."
"Did I say something to upset you?" Baz grips the fur of my hood lightly as I try to slip my coat on.
"No. I just . . . It's getting late."
"Don't go." He sounds a little alarmed. "Stay. I'll buy you another drink, and you don't even have to sleep with me." His smile is sexy as he jokes, and all I can think is . . . oh, shit.
My head, my heart, and my body suddenly go to war. My head telling me to get the hell out of here and execute my mission. My body telling me to stay so I end up in his bed. But my heart, my heart is the biggest surprise of all. It's telling me he's more than just a job. He's a man. A man I'm wildly attracted to and intrigued by. A deadly combination for a woman in my position and my profession.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I shouldn't, but I want to. I want to stay. With him.
I hesitate for what feels like an eternity.