Green eyes framed by sexy, dark lashes flicked up to take her in. The man’s hand moved up to smooth out his wavy, sandy brown, already well-kept hair. A slight stubble dotted his jaw, but it was stylish, clearly intentional from the well-groomed lines at the edges. He was fit too. She could see that much through his suit jacket. As he placed his arms on the table in front of him, his broad shoulders stretched against the expensive, well-tailored fabric.
“Very well, thank you,” he answered confidently, seeming to make a point to look up into her eyes. “How about you?”
Sky nervously shifted her weight to the other foot. The man's voice was smooth and deep, yet professional and respectful. Still, there was something in the way he studied her face that made her really take notice of him. She was used to being hit on by male patrons, and tended to just let it slide. Getting defensive didn't do much good. Also, flirting back innocently could bump up her tips most of the time. This man was different though. He spoke politely, and his eyes fixed their gaze on her face, as opposed to raking down her body like some other men would. It caught her off guard.
“I’m doing great.” She smiled brightly. “Can I get you something to drink before you order?”
One corner of his mouth turned up as he nodded. “I'll have a glass of your top shelf whiskey.”
“Coming right up.”
Sky hurried to the bar, not sure what to make of this man. She waited at the bar while his drink was being prepared, conscious the whole time of his gaze on her back. Joleen came by to drop off a drink order with the bartender, and instantly lifted her eyebrows high. Sky knew the look. It was the universal ‘who's the hot piece of man meat over there’ look. Every woman was born innately knowing that look. Sky ignored the expression on her friend’s face. They could chat about the man once he was gone, if Sky even felt like it. She was supposed to be head over heels for Brock. It didn't matter how Brock felt about her. Her attraction wasn't usually something she could shake off, but right now, with all the uncertainty between her and Brock, her lust didn’t seem to care about her feelings.
The man kept his eyes on her the entire time she walked back across the floor to his table. Sky could feel her cheeks heating up. She lifted her chin and focused on walking in a straight line. It was so much easier to be confident and flirtatious with patrons she wasn’t actually attracted to. Pulling it off with this man was hard. His intense stare made her feel exposed. She didn't know whether she liked that or not.
“Here you are, sir.” She placed the drink down carefully, and would have gotten out her order pad, but his hand was on her wrist before she even had the chance to uncurl her fingers from the glass. Sky froze, uncertain what to do.
“Do you enjoy a good meal, interesting company and great ambiance?”
She looked at him, confused by that voice that was smooth as honey. “Sure I do.”
“How would you like to experience that with me?”
“Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I can give you that.”
“Sir, I’m not really—”
“I want you,” he pronounced in a self-assured tone, cutting off her mumble of words. His voice was low enough that no one else in the loud restaurant could possibly hear him.
She swallowed hard. No one had ever propositioned her like this before. She looked down to his eyes, positive she should draw her hand away but for some reason couldn't find the will to move or speak.
“Spend one evening with me,” he continued with that same poised timber in his voice. “We can start with dinner at any restaurant you enjoy. Here in Sparks, or Reno, Vegas, LA, or anywhere you’d like.”
So much for an introduction before asking a girl out. Sky cleared her throat and took a step away, pulling her wrist from his light but secure grasp. “I'm sorry, sir. Just so we’re clear, I’m not a hooker.”
He smiled softly. “Miss Sky.” So the intriguing man could read her name tag. That didn’t give him any points after an invitation like that. “I can see that. You're a waitress. I didn't mean to suggest you were anything else. You don’t know this yet, but I’m the kind of man who gets to the point. It’s no different with asking you out…so all you have to do is say yes. We can get to know each other and have a memorable night.”
“I'm sorry, sir. I appreciate your directness, but I can’t accept.”
He didn’t skip a beat. “You should also know I don't give up easily.”
“Would you like to order from our dinner menu?” She was not about to acknowledge his persistence with any more conversation that wasn’t about ordering a meal or another drink here at the saloon.
“Not today. I just came in for a drink, and I’m glad I stopped somewhere new tonight.”