What He Wants (Second Chances #1.5)(9)

“Suit yourself, Mel. If you want, Shawn and I can take you home after you get done in the restroom. We’ll come back and get April.”

“That sounds great,” I replied, “just give me a few minutes.”

I didn’t really need to use the bathroom, I just wanted to get away. Since I couldn’t go outside with stalker guy sitting there, I needed somewhere else to go. Lia smiled at me before I left the table and walked right past April, who was shaking her ass on the dance floor. Instead of going to the bathroom, I strolled past the bar to another set of rooms, which was the VIP area.

I’d never checked them out before because most of the time they were exclusive to certain people; hence, the muscular giant standing by the entrance. He was about six foot five with pitch black hair and striking blue eyes; wearing a tight black T-shirt and black pants, he was very nice looking. When I approached, he nodded his head and smiled, letting me pass.

That was strange.

Each section of red velvet booths were semi-closed for privacy. There were small groups here and there, talking about their wonderful lives and drinking their high end champagnes. That was mine and Daniel’s life once before.

I didn’t belong in that anymore; it was all fake people and lies.

Turning around, I started off toward the exit but I didn’t get very far when I bumped into someone, not paying attention. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I apologized as I held on to his biceps while I steadied myself.

When I looked up, my face blushed crimson at the sight of the same stormy gray eyes I became mesmerized with earlier. “We have to stop meeting like this,” I breathed. Slowly, I slid my hands down his arms and felt them flex beneath my touch. Holy hell.

“I agree,” he replied. “I’m starting to get a complex. This is the second time you haven’t seen me.” He held out his hand. “My name’s Brett Walker … and you are?”

“Melissa,” I said, taking his hand. “Melissa Ashford.”

His smile was genuine, and instead of walking away he stood firm in the hallway, watching me with his mischievous gaze with my hand wrapped in his. “And just so you know, it’s actually kind of hard to miss you,” I confessed. “My mind’s been a little preoccupied, but I’ll be happy to buy you a drink to make it up to you if you feel neglected.”

It was bold, but I figured I’d give it a shot. Out of all of the men I’d met, he was the only one I hadn’t gotten a bad vibe with.

“Do you want to go outside or get a table back here?” he asked.

“Back here,” I replied quickly, eyes wide. “I can’t go outside right now.”

“Why not?”

Leading us toward one of the tables with his hand on the small of my back, I shivered as we sat down. His arm draped across the back of the booth and I could feel the heat from his body radiating down my bare shoulders. He smelled like expensive cologne, crisp yet woodsy. The smile on his face and the stormy gray color of his eyes were what made me falter; I couldn’t speak. Immediately, I snapped out of it when his fingertips brushed across my bare skin.

With a smirk on his face, he leaned down toward my ear and licked his lips before asking, “So why can’t you go outside again?”

He didn’t move back, but stayed right there by my ear, breathing me in. “Um … there’s someone out there I don’t want to see,” I replied nervously. My left arm was covered in chills and my whole body tingled, wanting him to move closer … which he did.

“Who?”

Licking my lips, I leaned in to him. “I don’t know, some guy who’s been buying me drinks. He wants me to meet him outside.”

“And why don’t you? Is he not good looking or something?”

I shrugged. “Actually, I don’t know … I never looked. One of my friends did and she said all of the guys out there were pretty hot. The only problem is that I don’t like to play games like that. All he needed to do was come to me like any normal person and talk to me.”

“What if he was nervous?” he asked curiously. “Maybe he was afraid to approach you. Ryan tells me that you turn down every guy who comes to you. To some men that can be intimidating.”

Ryan said what? I am so going to kill him.

However, I could tell I didn’t intimidate Brett. He was cool and collected with a smirk tilting up the left side of his lips. He was a man who knew what he wanted, and in his eyes he wanted me … but why? What did he want from me?

Crossing my arms at my chest, I sat back, pursing my lips. “So you and Ryan talked about me, huh?”

He smiled. “A little. I was curious about you. Especially when he told me you were off limits. I had to know why.”

“And what did he say exactly?”

“Other than the fact that you turn every single man down? Basically that you’re a mystery.”

“I beg to differ,” I laughed.

Brett Walker was a mystery to me … I couldn’t figure him out. What I did know was that I needed to keep my distance; I didn’t want anything serious. Judging by the heat in his eyes, something light and fun was not on his mind.

“Most of the men I’ve met around here were arrogant fools,” I stated. “Even before they’d say their first words, I could see it in their eyes what kind of men they were. I have no tolerance for that, or for lying, cheating bastards; especially ones who had the gall to hit on me when they’re married.”