She quickly ground some mint, then added it along with simple syrup, a touch of aromatic bitters, and the bright pink mixture to a shaker filled with ice. After a few hard shakes, she strained the liquid into a glass, stuck a froufrou paper umbrella in it, and slid the drink across the bar.
He blinked. “Looks a bit feminine, doesn’t it?”
She knew he preferred IPAs, especially Raging Bitch, but she waited him out to see if he’d take the challenge. Already the large, obnoxious pink drink had snagged the attention of some college students, who grinned and snickered under their breath. Raven knew that what a man drank at a bar was sacred. A woman looked for a man who knew how to hold his whiskey, appreciate a good draft beer, and enjoy a cocktail now and then.
As long as it wasn’t pink.
“You’re secure in your manhood, right?”
She waited for a blustery agreement, but he was smarter than she’d originally thought. His lip twitched and he leaned over, snagging her with that wicked blue gaze, refusing to let go. She fought the urge to fidget under his hot stare, figuring he’d only last a second or two. Instead, he took his time, not afraid to find what he sought, holding his gaze in a patient way that gave her tummy a tug of arousal.
“Why don’t you like me?” he asked.
Her breath caught. She allowed him to win and dropped her stare. Bastard. Half of her wanted to scream the truth and let the accusations of pain and betrayal fly loose. The other half knew it was her turf, and she’d promised not to waste her time on regrets from the past. Of course, he knew nothing, and the flash of confusion in those blue eyes almost made her feel sympathy.
Almost.
Raven shrugged. “You’re getting way too personal,” she said coolly. “I don’t like you. I don’t not like you. You’re just . . . there.”
“Like an ant?”
“Or a fly.”
He nodded, thoughtful. “Bugs are a delicacy in many other countries. Ant eggs are eaten in Mexico. Flies are probably eaten, too.”
“You trying to tell me you’re an exotic taste that I can get used to?”
He flashed her a brilliant smile, complete with dimples. Her heart gave an extra pump. Damn him for knowing how to use charm to his advantage. “Exactly!”
“We’re in the US,” she pointed out. “We like simple things. Hamburgers and hot dogs and beer. Are you going to try the drink or not?”
“I can be simple.”
“You can’t be simple and exotic at the same time.”
“I can.” His voice dropped to an intimate murmur. “I can be anything you want, Raven.” Blistering heat shot from his body in waves. Suddenly the buzzing crowd faded and was replaced by the promise gleaming in his eyes, carved out in the lines of his face. She stilled under the impact of his full masculine power. It had been a long time since she’d been pursued with such focus. Raven had forgotten the adrenaline rush of the mating game and the sweet promise of sexual satisfaction that scented the air with rich pheromones.
She shook her head and forced herself to speak lightly. “You’re a master, I’ll give you that. But you’re wasting your time. You have nothing I want, or need.”
Again he took the jab with charm instead of irritation. “Then I’ll have to keep working on finding what you do want. Or need.” He paused. “Or crave.”
Her brow shot up in warning, but he only laughed. The rich, deep tones stroked her ear in a caress. Damn, he was dangerous. The worst part was he knew it.
“So, what is this drink called?” he finally asked.
She practically purred in response. “Fertility Goddess. It’s a drink made to ensure a long life of marriage, children, and commitment. Seems to be popular with the newly engaged crowd.”
Raven didn’t expect him to drink it. She wanted to make a point.
But Dalton only nodded and lifted the glass high in the air. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief, but underneath was an implacable determination that shook her to the core. “Bottoms up.”
He drank the whole glass in one long swallow.
And Raven knew she was in a heap of trouble.
The woman was driving him crazy.