It was surprisingly nice, despite how exhausted I felt. It was packed with tourists of all ages, but a surprising amount of young men. They were probably there on a group vacation, though I didn’t have the courage to ask. The lights were dim and the music pounded as people danced, their bodies gliding together.
Meanwhile, Lindy and I sat at a table, sipping our drinks.
“Come on,” she called out. “We can’t just sit here. We’re in India!”
“I know,” I said, “but I’m so tired. I don’t think I could dance even if I wanted to.”
She made a face. “We’re wasting a night!”
“Get out there then,” I said. “I’ll wait here for you. Promise.”
She pouted. “Come on. Please?”
“I can’t. I’ll fall over and embarrass everyone.”
“Fine.” She hopped up. “I’m going to put myself in the middle of that crowd of young, eligible men and see which one takes me back to his room.”
I laughed. “Okay. Just tell me if you’re leaving.”
She waved and headed off to the dance floor. Lindy was pretty and knew it. She was short, a bit shorter than me, and where I had pale skin and brown hair, she was tan and blond. Guys seemed to like her bright blue eyes and big boobs too, though I wasn’t so bad myself in that department.
I watched as she disappeared into the crowd. I sipped my drink, not thinking, just staring off into the middle distance.
I wasn’t really a club girl. It just wasn’t my scene, and I definitely never thought I’d end up inside one out in India.
My wine was delicious and cold at least, and the place really was beautiful. Marble columns and bright tapestries covered the walls; it was what I imagined the Taj Mahal looked like on the inside. The staff was friendly and the people all looked like they were having fun, so it was hard for me to be in a bad mood. I was in paradise for free, after all.
As I took another sip of my wine, he caught my eye. In the sea of tourists, he somehow stood out. Tall and broad, with sexy stubble on his face, his piercing blue eyes took my breath away as he lazily looked toward me.
I quickly looked away, shocked at how fast my heart was beating in my chest. The man was handsome, incredibly handsome. I’d never seen a man like him before, and I quickly took another sip of my wine to cover up my embarrassment.
But that didn’t last long, because as soon as I looked up again, he was coming toward me. That tall, handsome stranger was walking right to me, and I didn’t know what to do. I quickly looked around for Lindy, but she was nowhere in sight. The man got closer, and this cocky smirk crossed over his face as he stopped near my table.
“What’s your name?” he asked over the music.
I blinked. “Tara,” I said.
“Tara.” He sat down in the chair next to me. “I’m Emory.”
“Good to meet you.”
“Just get here?”
“Yeah,” I said. “How can you tell?”
“You have that look,” he said, grinning. “Wide eyed and a little tired.”
I laughed. “You’re exactly right.”
“I know. I’m very good at reading people.”
“What about you? Are you just in?”
“No, actually,” he said. “This is my last night.”
“That’s a shame,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow. “Going to miss me already?”
“No. I mean, it’s a shame you have to leave. It’s nice here.”
“It is nice here,” he said. “Beats where I’m going.”
“Where’s that?”
He grinned at me and ignored the question. “Are you here alone?”
“With a friend.”
“Where’s she?”
“Dancing.”
He moved slightly closer. I couldn’t help but stare at him, at his muscles straining against his perfectly fitting, white button-down shirt. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing tattoos snaking up his muscular forearms.
“Pity. She left you alone.”
I nodded. “She did.”
“Do you need someone to keep you company?”
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know this man, and he was by far the most attractive person to ever talk to me, let alone want to spend time with me.
“Okay,” I said.
He smiled. “Good.” He gestured at a waitress and she brought over two more drinks for us. “To a good night in paradise.”
We clinked glasses.
I should have gotten up and walked away, but I couldn’t. He was magnetic, enticing, and incredibly attractive. He knocked back his drink and leaned in toward me, smirking big. “You know why I came over to you?” he asked.