Page 16 of Heimlock

“Hello again,” Kyrielle says, grinning. In her hand is a martini. A drink I did not buy.

“Where did the beer go?”

She frowns at my mostly full glass. “I drank it. Why didn’t you drink yours?”

“I was too distracted waiting for you to sit across from me.”

Kyrielle laughs like she thinks I’m telling a joke, but when I don’t smile, her mouth drops. “Oh.”

Diving right in, I ask, “How long have you lived in Gondora?”

A little taken aback by the change in topic, she startles. “Huh?”

“I get less than three minutes. I like to make every second count.” I wink.

Her cheeks flush. “Are innuendos inappropriate at a speed dating event?”

I lean forward, subtly inhaling her soft scent. Keeping my voice low, I say, “The difference between a joke and a promise is intention.”

Matching my volume, she murmurs, “And what is your intention?”

I trail my gaze from her lips down her slender neck to her extremely generous breasts. The dress is fighting for its life, keeping her wrapped in some semblance of propriety.

It’d look better on the floor.

When she swallows hard, I smile. “With you, I have a few intentions.”

The tension between us is ready to snap. Kyrielle licks her bottom lip. My focus homes in on the pink wetness of her tongue.

Giving a coy smile, she whispers, “Share one?”

“I have every intention of kissing you tonight.”

Instead of pulling away, she leans closer. “Exactly where? Here?”

She taps her lips, and I shake my head. “This isn’t the kind of kiss for an audience.”

Her breath hitches. “What kind of kiss is it?”

“The kind that ruins you for every other man.”

At this, she chuckles. “That’s very confident of you.”

I cock my head, appraising her with predatory intent. There’s nothing I want more than to lay her out here on this table and get on my knees. The thought pulses through my cock in a deliciously painful way. “I am very confident that kissing you will change my life.”

The way her lips part with shock might be my undoing. “And if I’m not confident? I mean, a lot of guys think they’re good kissers. A lot of them aren’t.”

“Only one way to find out,” I tease, widening my smile. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

She looks at her almost finished martini. “I’m going to need another drink first.”

I peer down at my glass. “I’ll need a refresh.” I notice two empty stools at the bar. “Do you want to sit at the bar?”

Kyrielle is already standing. “Let’s go.”

6

Present Day