Page 3 of Hard Pass

“At least you’re honest.”

“More like efficient,” he states.

I tilt my head, studying him as the edges of my usual caution blur to make me think this is possible.

“Why, because you’ll forget my name by the time the sun rises?”

“Is that your plan? To see the sun rise with me?” he asks.

I shrug, my eyes dipping back down to his chest. His lips. Back to his eyes. “Depends how this conversation goes.”

He chuckles as his eyes fire with what I can only read as desire. “So no name then?”

“Why pretend you even care what it is if you’re going to forget it?” I ask.

He waves a dismissing hand at someone trying to get his attention. That simple action bolsters my confidence. “I still have to call you something because beautiful is cheesy.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “No cheesier than that horrific line you just tried on me.”

He shrugs unabashedly. “Not unlike your determined ‘You’ when you walked up to me.”

“It got your attention, didn’t it?”

“It did, more than anyone else has.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I quirk a brow and take the drink the waiter hands me after he points toward Willa—who’s still watching—to let me know she ordered it for me.

“You’re still standing here, aren’t you?” His gaze drifts over me slowly, taking his time in a way that should feel invasive but doesn’t. “Trouble.”

“What’s that?” I ask, stepping closer because I didn’t quite hear him. I’m hit with the subtle scent of sun and a clean smelling cologne.

He leans in, his lips so close to my ear that I can feel the warmth of his breath. It sends chills over my skin. “Trouble,” he repeats. “That’s your name.”

Why does that turn me on?

“Not exactly original,” I say, wanting to keep the conversation going. His interest bolsters my courage.

“It fits.”

“Maybe.”

This is the part where I don’t know what comes next. Where the liquid courage has waned and sensibility is winning over. Is he just teasing me or—

“No need to be nervous,” he murmurs just below the fray.

“You know . . . this isn’t like me to—”

“Good thing you’re not being you tonight then, right?”

He’s got me there.

“And if you’re not being you tonight,” he continues, “then why me?”

“My friend assumed I wouldn’t have the courage to walk over here, to . . .”

“To . . .?”

“Take you back to my room tonight.”