Free AslansStranger-ARE-epub by JenniferKacey Page A

knowing grin. Her blush heated her cheeks and chest, probably highlighting her cleavage even more. Fair skin had its advantages. Hiding embarrassment wasn’t one of them. She took a deep breath and decided to throw a little caution to the wind. “Frozen strawberry margarita, Sam.” She’d talked to him the first three nights, early in the evening before the crowds showed up to party late into the night.
    “Salt or sugar on the rim, Miss Smythe?”
    Zeke pulled his hand away and helped her onto the stool next to his. Very close next to his. “Looks like a sugar girl, tonight, if I had to guess.”
    To Sam’s credit, he waited for her to answer for herself. Her order just happened to be the same answer. “Sugar, please.”
    “Coming right up.” With a wink and single tap to the bar, he was off.
    “So.” Zeke took a sip from his bottle, never taking his eyes from her…assets. “What brings you on a single’s cruise?”
    “Business.” It was the truth. She set her matching red clutch on the bar in front of her and immediately missed having something to do with her hands. “And hopefully pleasure.” There. She said it. More nerves skittered up her back as she stared at him.
    “Interesting.” His gaze drilled into her, heating her core as his hand tightened around his beer. “I’m hoping for the exact same thing.”
    In for a penny, and all that. She opened her mouth but Sam walked back over, carrying her drink.
    “Put it on my tab.” Zeke definitely sounded like a man use to people following his orders.
    “Yes, sir. Let me know if either of you need anything else. And I hope you don’t mind me saying so, Miss, but you look lovely tonight.”
    Aslan smiled at him, already reaching for the liquid courage before he’d gotten to the next customer a few feet away.
    The sugar hit her taste buds first and then the strawberry flavor. Then the tequila. Mmm…the tequila.
    She let the ice melt in her mouth, and then repeated the taste, hold and swallow procedure one more time.
    The alcohol made her eyes tear up, and it burned going down, but it relaxed her muscles almost immediately. Placebo effect or true relaxation, she didn’t know and tonight she didn’t care. After one more drink, the courage that appeared was just enough that she could face him again.
    His eyes. As dark a blue as she’d ever seen, compared to her light blue irises.
    His hair. Short and blond, styled, but natural. It was very well suited to the honey blonde hair that hung in waves a tiny bit past her shoulders.
    They’d look good together.
    He’d look even better naked, holding her with a fistful of her hair as he took her from behind.
    “Penny for your thoughts. I’d even be willing to pay a whole dollar for them. And a blush. Maybe two dollars.”
    She smiled and then laughed. Part embarrassment, part flirtation, she hoped. The margarita was definitely a good idea. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
    “That makes me a very lucky man.”
    His eyes. The way he stared at her excited her, unsettled her.
    She took another drink and tried to bring up what she wanted. No point in beating around the bush, if he wasn’t interested.
    Turns out, she didn’t have to worry. He took it out of her hands. “I’ve seen you the past few days. You’ve seemed…restless.”
    She swallowed. The tequila burned just a bit going down, infusing her stomach with warmth that spread to her limbs.
    “For a while,” she answered.
    “And you think I can help with that.” Not a question.
    She nodded. “I do.”
    Two tiny words, but he seemed to be very affected by them. He drained the last of his beer, setting the glass down harder than was probably necessary. He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again and shook his head.
    Fear made her talk fast, “Before you say no, hear me out.”
    Clenching his teeth, he stared at her, glancing at her cleavage and then back up to her face again.
    “One night. That’s all I’m asking