“I told him if he talked to my girl again, I would rip his tongue out.” My mouth drops open, and a smirk plays on his lips. “I also told him if he even dared to look at her again, I would make sure I scoop each of his eyes out of his sockets as slowly and painfully as possible.” He gestures to the bartender, asking for a drink I don’t know of.
I don’t know why, but his words shock me and surprise me in a pleasant way. I can’t help but heat up at its protective nature.
“A little much, no?” I ask, trying to not let my voice give away how fast my heart is pounding.
“I could argue not enough.” He winks.
The way he is looking at me has every nerve in my body igniting.
Lianne’s words replay.Be the woman you want to be right now. Let her fucking shine.
I can be anyone to this guy. My skin tingles at the notion.
“I hope me intervening was okay. It’s just you are...” His gaze washes over me.
“Just?” I ask with a confidence level I don’t know I’m capable of. I widen my eyes in anticipation, letting myself come off more impatient than I feel.
I don’t know who this person is or how I channeled her, but the rush I get when his eyebrow shoots up and a grin edges the corner of his mouth at my response brings elation to my chest.
“Gorgeous.” His voice comes out as a growl, and I love how it makes a tingle run down my core. “What’s your name? I feel I should know the name of my girlfriend.”
“Ed—Elliott,” I say quickly.
The taste of my real name on my tongue has my heart blooming. It wasn’t something I knew I was missing. Just as it blooms, an ache follows. This is the only time I can introduce myself like this again. I will have to go back toreality in just a few minutes and be Eden again. I try not to let it taint this moment.
Pushing my shoulder back, I lean into this conversation, one that I know will be cut shorter than I would like it to.
“Elliott. CanIget you another drink?”
I look over to Lianne, who is still moving her body to the faint music in the bar.
“She with you?” He steps closer with a whisper.
“Yes, she is.” I smile, watching her sway her hips and drag her hands down her body. “She should have a spotlight on her with how much she owns this bar already.”
Lianne is someone with no fear. I wish I was more like her.
I could be her. Right now. With him.
“I was going to say the same about you.”
His voice is low, and I turn to him. His eyes are watching me, not Lianne. We lock our gaze, time feeling like it’s dragging out. My stare falls to his lips, then back to his stare. Something dark passes over his honey-brown eyes, and it causes me to shiver.
What the hell is that?
“How about that drink, Elliott?”
“I don’t accept drinks from men I don’t know,” I say nonchalantly.
He chuckles. “My name is Kameron.” He offers me his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I put my hand in his and smile at him. “We’ll see about that.”
I look at where our hands meet. My hand looks so dainty in comparison.
A deep laugh escapes him, and I immediately want to hear it again. Be the reason for it to happen.
“So, another...” He eyes my empty glass, trying to decipher what I was drinking.
