The idea made her queasy. She typically didn't like to do anything that would lead to conflict, but she couldn't accept the man's advances. For Sky, there was still only one person in the world who had her adoration. Even if it wasn't returned to her in full.
Rhys stared at her the entire time as she walked up to his table. She suddenly felt self-conscious about the skirt she had chosen to wear. Perhaps it had been a little too short for work. Usually she wouldn't have cared. Customers ogling led to bigger tips, but with Rhys it could just lead to trouble.
“What a pleasure to see you again, Sky,” he said in that deep timber that could make her swoon if she wasn’t careful.
Sky planted a hand on her hip. “Mr. Dillon. Nice to see you again.” She was trying to be professional, but the words came out strained and curt.
“How are you doing?”
“Fine. What can I get you tonight, Mr .Dillon?”
He took a moment before he answered, and for a second Sky thought he was planning on saying something inappropriate. “What's your best draft?” he finally asked.
“The blonde ale.”
“Sounds good. Are you busy tonight?”
“Yeah, I am. It's crazy in here.”
He smiled. “Looks like it. I'll let you get back to work.”
That's it?
Sky almost wanted to ask if there wasn't going to be something else. She would have expected, after coming on so hard the time before, Rhys would have a little bit more to say. It turned out she wasn't as happy with him keeping it appropriate as she thought she would be. Perhaps he had taken the hint after she didn't called him, and decided to back down.
Then why did he insist that you wait on him?
Sky bit her cheek and resolved not to think too much about it.
The rush was starting to calm down, and by the time she returned with his draft, one of the standby waitresses had shown up to help out
Rhys accepted the drink graciously. “I apologize for coming on too strong the other day,” he said, gazing up at her.
Somehow that apology didn’t coincide with what she saw in his eyes.
Lust. Desire. Hunger.
Sky shifted her weight from one foot to the other. An apology was something she had not been ready for. “Not a problem.”
She thought about thanking him for the five hundred dollars, but didn't know whether mentioning it would be appropriate or not. Seeing as tips usually averaged about four hundred and ninety dollars less than that amount, she had no freaking clue whether it was acceptable or not to mention the gigantic tip.
“Are you sure?”
“You more than made up for it with that massive tip, thank you.” There, she'd referred to the tip. Screw decorum. That money was going to be used for a much needed weekend getaway for her and Joleen, as soon as they could both get a couple days away from jewelry and the saloon. Maybe Lily would join them too.
“It wasn't my intention to offend you.”
“You didn't offend me,” Sky quickly said. “You asked. I turned you down. End of story.”
He nodded. “I understand. Usually I’m a whole lot better at this.”
“At what? Cutting to the chase?”
“No. At making a compelling case for a gorgeous woman like you to agree to keeping me company.”
“You win some, you lose some.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t lose. I never lose.”
“Okay. Lose is such a strong word, I guess. Let’s just say I might have been tempted, but I’m not looking. There. Feel better now, Mr. Dillon?”
Sky placed her hand on Rhys’ shoulder, and her breath caught from the sparks of energy and attraction and God know what else flowed through the man. Then he placed his hand over hers and Sky was sure her heart stopped.
“Now I do.”
Sky pulled her arm away. Whatever it was that she felt, she needed to stay far away from it before it drew her in and caused her to make a big mistake.
“I think you would like to give me another chance, Miss Sky.”
“I…no…no I wouldn’t,” she told him, taking a step back. “Is there anything else I can get you from the bar…or the kitchen?”
Without looking away or even one blink of his eyes, he told her, “Everything I want is right here.”
Sky swallowed hard, ignoring the heat expanding out from her core. When she spoke her own voice came out barely a hair above a whisper. “You don't know me.”
“I'm looking at you right now. You're stunningly beautiful, of course, but that's not your best quality. What I see is a woman who's looking for more. More passion. More attention. I could give that to you. I see a woman who’s sunny and optimistic and supportive of everyone around her, yet when you need a shoulder, you find yourself alone. You would never find yourself alone if you gave me a chance.”
Sky licked her dry lips and wondered what would happen if Rhys got the chance to see her whole body. Would he still think her to be beautiful?
“I need to get back to work,” she finally said when air returned to her lungs.
“I won't keep you.”
“Thanks. Excuse me.”