What He Wants (Second Chances #1.5)(10)

Clearly amused, Brett bit his lip and smiled, lifting his left thumb to graze over his lip; probably to show he had no ring on his finger. “I can assure you, I’m not married … and as far as the guy on the patio you never know. He could be different and just what you’re looking for. What if I was out there? You’d be missing the chance to get to know me.”

“But it’s not you out there,” I countered. “I may be single, but I’m not desperate Mr. Walker.”

At about that time, our server—a young woman with long, wavy blonde hair wearing black pants and a crisp blue button down top—came over to our table and set down a tequila sunrise and a Crown and Coke.

Oh no, another one? That guy is relentless.

I was about to tell her to take it back, but Brett spoke up first, handing her a credit card. “Thank you, Mira. Tell Ryan I’d like to close my tab and that everything’s good back here.”

Quickly, Mira grinned over at me and then winked at him. “I’ll tell him. If you need anything else, let us know. I’ll be right back with your card.”

Smirking, Brett nodded his head and took a sip of his drink, his gaze alit with humor. “Did you think it was the other guy ordering you the drink?” he asked. “I figured you were about to send it back.”

“I was,” I answered, stirring my drink with the tiny red straw. “There comes a point when it gets to be a little too much.”

I took a sip of my tequila sunrise and felt the burn go straight down into my stomach. After drinking my limit of three, I knew I needed to take it easy or my inhibitions would be out the window. That’s not exactly the way I need to be in the company of an alluring stranger.

The server came back with Brett’s card, handing it to him, before smiling at us both one last time and waltzing off. I felt like I was on the outside of a private joke between the two. Brett’s mischievous leer only proved it.

Tossing back his drink, he chuckled and set it down. “If you want to know the truth, Ms. Ashford, I was the one who ordered you the drinks.”

“What?” I gasped, choking on my drink. “How is that possible? When I met you outside, you didn’t seem to have any interest in me whatsoever. Besides, I never saw you again after you walked back inside. I thought you left.”

“Did that bother you?” he asked, his voice smooth … deep. “That I didn’t show any interest in you.”

It did bother me, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “No, I just figured I wasn’t your type.”

Sliding my drink to the side, Brett grasped my hand and helped me up from the table, pulling me into him … so close. He smiled down at me and brushed a wave of my red hair off my face, his fingers grazing down my cheek.

“Oh no, I was interested. I just didn’t want you to know that. You see, you’re not the only one who has a habit of meeting the wrong people. I had to make sure you weren’t one of them.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, whispering the words against his lips. It was either the alcohol or my own curiosity that drew me closer to his mouth, wanting to feel his lips against mine. I blamed it on the alcohol.

Tilting my chin up with his finger, he leaned down. I thought he was going to kiss me … but he didn’t. “I tell you what, let’s get out of here and we can talk all you want. There’s somewhere I want to go.”

“Where?” I asked curiously.

“Come and find out.”

Normally, I wouldn’t agree to such a thing. However, I was intrigued by the mysterious Brett Walker. Accepting his invitation, I let him take me by the hand and lead me out into the club. April and Lia’s eyes went wide when they saw me and immediately rushed over.

Even with Brett beside me, Lia’s gaze was hard, her jaw tense with her arms crossed at the chest. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

April took up the flank and mirrored Lia’s stance. “Yeah, you had us worried, Mel.” Her gaze landed on Brett and she bit her lip to keep from smiling. “I … uh … I guess you’ve been a little too busy.”

Brett let go of my hand so that I could reach into my purse. “Girls, I’m really sorry. My phone’s been off and I honestly just lost track of time.” I fetched it and showed them that it was off.

Lia blew out a frustrated breath and relaxed. “Okay, well now that I know you’re not dead in a gutter somewhere, do you want me to take you home?”

It was the moment of truth … what did I want to do? Against my better judgment, I did what my body screamed at me to do.

“Actually, I’m going to go with Brett,” I replied.

April and Lia’s eyes both went wide, shocked. “Are you sure?” Lia asked.

“I’m sure,” I said, nodding my head.

Smiling, Brett put his arm around my waist and squeezed. “I’ll get her home safely, ladies. I can promise you that.”

April and Lia both turned to me, lifting their brows, unsure. They may be a little reckless at times, but they cared about me. “Girls, I’ll be fine. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

After they nodded, I smiled at them and walked with Brett through the club and out the door to the bustling city streets of downtown Charlotte. “So where did you park?” I asked, scanning the parked cars on the side of the street.