In the Cards(7)

I can’t tell if he’s watching me or not, but he doesn’t move from his spot.

“Oh.” I’m silent for a few seconds, uncomfortably aware of my slip of a dress. As my eyes adjust, his indistinct image sharpens, transforming him from a ghostly figure to a man. In a misguided desire to fill the silence, I blurt out, “Hey, I’m sorry about earlier today. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“No sweat, little girl. Your opinion don’t mean much to me either way.” He blows smoke off to the side of his face without looking at me or saying more.

Insulted by his dig, I sit upright. “You don’t need to be rude. I said I’m sorry.”

He takes another drag and sighs.

“Sweetheart, let me have one break in peace.” The timbre of his inflection on the word sweetheart coaxes a tremble from my traitorous body, which bothers me since I can’t justify finding him so damn sexy on one hand and spiteful on the other. I hear his low chuckle before he continues, “Bet you missed your curfew. Maybe you should run along now.”

Now I’m pissed. I approach him despite wavering a bit from the booze and the tingling sensations he inspires. For the first time, I notice the name tag pinned to his shirt.

“You know what, Levi? I take it back! I’m not sorry. You think you’re so cool, but really you’re just a sarcastic jerk. Trust me, you won’t have to worry about any ‘anchors,’ because no one wants someone as rude as you anyway.”

Only just finished, I’m breathless from my rant when he steps so close, the heat of his body warms me. His seductive glance causes me to gasp.

“That ain’t true.” His face is mere inches from mine. “You want me.”

Caught off guard by his remark and proximity, my skin prickles as if I’ve been stung by static electricity. My mouth falls open in protest while my brain scrambles for something to say.

After blowing more smoke through the side of his mouth, he tilts his head toward me. “Go on, admit it.” Staring at me with heavy-lidded eyes, he sends a delicious shiver through my entire body. He nudges even closer until we’re on the verge of an embrace.

My heart pounds in my chest, awakening in an unfamiliar, yet tantalizing, way. Before I realize what’s happening, his free hand touches the nape of my neck. Slowly, his fingertips trail down the length of my naked spine. At once, I lose my breath and all thought.

“Admit it,” he whispers, lowering his head to mine.

His lips softly brush the corner of mine. With my eyes now closed, I smell a faint mix of smoke, salt, and alcohol. He’s motionless, waiting for my answer. My head is swimming and I might fall over. All of my senses are firing at full blast. Torn between arousal and defeat, I confess.

“Yes.” My eyes remain closed while I wait for the kiss I’ve been dying to steal for days. Then—nothing. I open my eyes. For the briefest moment, he appears to be battling himself. Then, unexpectedly, he withdraws.

“Just like I thought.” He leans against the cabana again, flicking his cigarette butt into the trash can, his face obscured by the shadows.

Thank God for the darkness, because my cheeks are surely beet red. Although I’m humiliated, all the lessons my mother ever taught me about dignity kick in. Without bursting into tears or running away, I take a steadying breath.

“Feel better now that you’ve embarrassed me? I hope it brings you comfort in the future . . . when you’re nothing but a lonely old man with poor grammar.”

I storm off before he replies, leaving him standing in the shadows.

Locked in my room, I cry confused tears. How’d I let him manipulate me so easily? Lust makes us stupid, I suppose.

I sigh, exhausted from the festivities and the bitter note on which the night ended. I’m not a cruel person and I regret my snobby remarks. He claims not to care what I think, so maybe it doesn’t matter. I doubt he spent another second of his time thinking about me.

Jill always yells at me for being everyone’s doormat. I swear I’m going to change. No more trying to save the bad boys from themselves. Definitely no more thinking about that bartender, either.

I’m glad we leave early tomorrow. At least I’ll never have to face him again.





CHAPTER TWO

Malibu, California

May 24, 2013

Levi

Hey, Levi, whatcha doing up there?” a woman’s voice calls up from the beach.

I look down from my deck and see Elena, the recent divorcée from a few doors up the block. She’s not unattractive, and has a pretty tight figure for thirty-six. But as I do with everyone else in my life, I prefer to keep her at arm’s length.

“Enjoying the day, darlin’.” I wave.