He nodded. “Coming right now.”
I slowly spun around, crossing my leg over my knee. I gazed over at the booth again to make sure to position myself right where Israel could see me. But, my movements must’ve caught Alice’s attention because her eyes sought me out first.
And the anger that rolled over her features made me want to wave at her.
So, I did.
“Eat your heart out, you bitch,” I murmured.
The bartender sat my martini in front of me, and I plucked it from the wooden bar. I swiveled back around, staring at the liquor bottles lit from the bottom up. I gazed at myself in the mirror behind the bartender’s head. My ruby-red lipstick really popped with this all-black outfit of mine. Actually, I kind of liked the vibe. I looked like someone of importance—like someone who belonged somewhere.
Maybe I’ll stick to all black.
The bartender caught my attention. “Your small plate will be up momentarily, ma’am. Can I get you anything else in the meantime?”
“Just a whiskey on the rocks for myself. You can put it on my tab.”
Israel’s voice sounded next to me, and it made me grin. Because I sure as hell didn’t hear Alice next to him placing an order, either.
“Israel,” I said.
He bellied up to the bar. “Bonnie. You’re looking rather breathtaking tonight.”
“Oh, this old thing? Didn’t notice.”
He chuckled. “Well, you do look very nice. Which will be the only positive thing to come out of this evening?”
“Rough date?”
The bartender sat down his drink, and Israel reached for it.
“Not necessarily. But, you did just manage to piss off my father. And I’m going to have to face the consequences of that.”
I shrugged. “I felt like getting a drink. Do you mean to tell me your father’s going to slit your neck over that?”
“You know damn good and well you came here to make sure my head didn’t turn Alice’s way. Not that you should’ve worried about that in the first place.”
My eyes fluttered over to him. “Well, I can’t say that I care much.”
His eyes met mine. “About which part?”
I shrugged. “All of it.”
I turned my eyes forward as the bartender sat my plate in front of me. I handed him my empty martini glass, and he got to making me another one. But, the entire time, I was painfully aware of how Israel stared at me. How his eyes fell down my body. How he licked his lips mindlessly as his eyes scaled along my exposed thighs, with my dress continuously rolling up.
“Black suits you,” he murmured.
I nodded. “Yes, it does.”
He groaned to himself. “We need to get home.”
I picked up a cracker. “I haven’t even begun to eat yet.”
He leaned his lips against my ear. “I’ve got plenty you can eat at home. Unless you want me to take you right now on top of this bar for everyone to see.”
I slowly looked over at him. “Well, I do need your help with something. Might be a conversation we should have at home. Maybe… in the kitchen? On the island?”
His eyes darkened. “You’re coming with me. Now.”
