Page 7 of A Legacy of the Light

“Sorry, sorry,” she mutters, trying to disguise her enthusiasm behind her empty glass. “Let’s get more drinks!” she says to Luke, turning to get the attention of the bartender.

I face Elliot with the intent of flirting some more and perhaps getting another kiss or two. Over his shoulder, I catch a glimpse of someone partly hidden in the shadows at the end of the bar.

He’s tall. Ridiculously so. A good few inches taller than everyone else here tonight. His spot in the darkened corner means I can’t make out all his features beyond a strong jaw and full lips. He must be aware of my gaze on him. His lips curve up in a smirk as he brings his glass up.

Before he takes a sip, his tongue darts out to wet his mouth and my breath freezes in my lungs. Is that sexy, or am I drunk and still riding the high of my first kiss in over a year? I have no idea.

The smirk remains as he sets the now-empty glass on the bar top and leans forward, bringing more of his face out of the shadow.

Above his full mouth sits a long, straight nose and dark, striking eyes. As my gaze connects with his, energy rips through my body. He runs his fingers over his lips to mask the smile now pulling at the rest of his perfectly defined mouth, and our eyes refuse to part.

He’s beautiful. I think he might be the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. But that could be the drinks talking. I can’t tell if he’s checking me out or if he’s staring at me for kissing Elliot on the dance floor. He’s certainly watching, and I decide I need to know why.

“Excuse me for a minute, I need the ladies’ room,” I whisper to Elliot without taking my eyes off the mystery man.

I would like to be able to explain why I’m approaching him, given his stare is intense and possessive, as if he owns me. This seems like the start of a murder documentary, but I’m determined to find out who he is and why he’s watching me so intently. Something powerful in his gaze draws me in.

In my drunken purpose to confront the creepy, sexy man, I don’t see the bar stool being pushed into my path. I stumble in the ridiculous heels Rach forced me to wear and catch myself partly on the bar and partly on the random drunk guy who tried to kill me.

“I’m sorry, sugar, I didn’t see you there,” he slurs, helping me right myself.

“Not a problem, but maybe make sure you don’t kill anyone when you get up from the bar next time.” I smile tightly at him, holding back the string of curses on the tip of my tongue as my shin bleats in pain.

“How about I buy you a drink to make up for it?”

As I start to decline his offer, I look behind him. The mystery man has gone.

Well, that’s not creepy.

Where did he go? And why does his absence stir something in me?

Booze. Definitely the booze.

“Hello? Do you want a drink?”

I snap my attention back to the man in front of me.

“Sorry, I’m already with someone.” I offer him a polite smile and head over to the restroom. I sit in a stall and consider the guy in the shadows.

I don’t understand why his gaze affected me so much. Having a friend like Rachel, I often get passing glances from men and they rarely unnerve me. But his felt powerful.

I shake the idea from my head and continue with what has been a surprisingly pleasant night out.

“Sorry about that. Nearly killed myself on a bar stool on the way to the bathroom,” I say when I rejoin Rach, Luke, and Elliot.

“I saw that. Are you okay?” Elliot asks, placing his hand on the small of my back.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I assure him. He asks if I want another drink and I shake my head. I know my limits when it comes to alcohol, and I crossed that line two drinks ago. I lean over to tell Rach I’m ready to leave. The buzz is wearing off and suddenly I’m exhausted, the drinks and the working week hitting me like a freight train.

“I'm going to stay and hang out with Luke if that's okay?” Rach says to me.

“Of course. Be safe and share your location with me so I know when you get home.”

“I will. I love you, Els.”

“Love you too, Rach.”

I lean over to say goodbye to Elliot. He tries to mask his disappointment with a smile. He was definitely hoping to come home with me. But I’ve had my fill of the night and I want to go home alone. Plus, I’d like to see him again, and don’t want to ruin that by taking him into my bed tonight. We swap numbers, and he says he’ll text me to go out sometime.