Chapter Six

Chloe sat at the bar and fidgeted at her friend’s side. First, she crumpled and then she smoothed out a black drink napkin with Midnight Luna’s crescent moon logo.

The cute bartender with soft brown eyes, who’d introduced himself as Tyrese, held a small metal lid over Jill’s and Kyle’s whiskey and sodas. The couple were her wing-support while she waited for Constantine, the sexy server, to appear.

A hint of the smoky infusion wafting into the whiskey glasses reminded her of happy childhood campfires. Her twitchy hands relaxed. She could do this.

The couple received their drinks and the attractive mixologist stepped in front of Chloe. “What would be your pleasure tonight, Miss?”

Really? Did he have to ask for her drink order using the word pleasure?

“A glass of red wine,” she said, recalling the aroma on Constantine’s breath when they met. “Please.”

He nodded and moved away to procure her boring beverage.

Her short, tan sweater dress with capped sleeves inched higher on her thighs. Two-inch shiny black heels, a last-minute purchase, slid off the metal cross bar of her stool. She looked like a spectacle. And not in a good way. Her outfit screamed ready for action. But she had no real idea of how to follow through.

The air conditioner pumped out a chill, and goosebumps rose on her bare arms. She might as well be naked. The knit dress hugged every tiny curve. A tug at her hem did nothing to alleviate her over-exposed thighs. Open for offers wasn’t the effect she’d been going for on her return to this classy establishment.

The swank clientele of Midnight Luna was chic. Rich. Ballers.

Chloe? Her mini dress screamed loose morals and looking-to-get-lucky. She couldn’t come off any sluttier if she’d worn her lacy white bra and matching thong on the outside.

She adjusted, again. The outfit seemed to have shrunk in the past half hour. It belonged on a hanger in the back of a closet. Not for public display.

“Stop that,” said Jill, patting the top of Chloe’s hands in reprimand. “You look wonderful.” She turned to Kyle. “Isn’t Chloe the sexiest woman in here tonight?”

Her cheeks burned. Jill’s gorgeous, new… Should she refer to him as Jill’s boyfriend? Whatever the case, he hadn’t given Chloe a second look since picking them up. Her friend’s loose and flowy sheer black blouse and leather skirt kept him fully engrossed.

“Sorry, Chloe,” he said, glancing past Jill. “You look great. I should’ve said so.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to notice,” she said, shrinking into her shoulders, and retrieving the tall thin glass deposited before her. “This isn’t wine.”

Tyrese dipped his head in acknowledgment. “You would do me a great honor if you tried something new I put together. Just. For. You.” His gleaming grin and wink were too potent to refuse.

“Sure,” she said, lifting the drink. “Here’s to trying new things.”

“I’ll toast to that,” Jill said. They clinked glasses.

A sweet taste rolled over Chloe’s tongue, followed by an unexpected tartness. The drink had a purple tint in the light. It was fun. What Chloe strived to be.

“How do you like it?” said the handsome dark bartender.

“It’s really interesting.” She took another sip and her nervous tension seemed to fade. “Thank you, Tyrese.”

“You do look lovely, Chloe,” Kyle said. His warm gaze suggested he was telling the truth and not trying to earn points with her friend.

“Well, thank you, sir.”

Jill giggled and Kyle whispered something in her ear.

Chloe sipped her drink and let the tangy beverage roll around on her tongue. The taste reminded her of candy. A sweet tart. She hadn’t had the sugary treat since childhood. The surprise beverage transported her to easier, happier times. Her shoulders relaxed, and the chill left her arms.

“My bartender is a magician,” said the silky, sexy voice which had haunted her dreams for the last four nights.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Her pulse raced. Anticipation spurred not butterflies, but buzzing bees in her stomach.

His breath whispered across her ear, causing tingles of excitement to somersault her spine. The male scent of expensive spicy cologne and a hint of chocolate caused an instant arousal.

In the mirror behind the bar, her gaze met Constantine’s intense dark orbs. He placed his hand on her lower back and manipulated the stool until she faced him. His hand slid from her back to her crossed knee and lingered.

His touch heated her skin to melting. She couldn’t breathe. He was even more devastatingly handsome than she recalled. Sexual energy radiated from him like an inferno. He slowly perused her face, the too-short skirt, and back to her mouth. A half-grin tweaked his sensuous lips.

He really did want her. She hadn’t imagined his interest. His fingertips stroked light circles across her skin. This was it.

Her chance to be bad.

Any moment he’d suggest they visit his store room. Or the back alley. Hell, she’d go into the men’s room if it meant he’d run his strong hands all over her needy body.

His gorgeous lips parted.

She sucked in a slight gasp of air.

“How’s your—”

“Yes.” OMG. Had she spit out that word?

Constantine’s eyebrow arched. His tongue peeked out and ran a quick circuit of his lips. He reached around her, grasping the bar in a lean and capturing her in an embrace without actually making contact. His mouth hovered at her earlobe. The flick of his tongue slid across the sensitive skin, followed by a quick nip of his teeth.

“I’ve been dreaming about you.”

Wait. Had he spoken, or had she?

His arms dropped, fingertips sliding along her outer thighs. The sultry sensation nearly overwhelmed her composure.

“Me too.” Her voice sounded disjointed and ragged.

Jill turned toward them. “Hello,” she said, “I’m Jill Whitney. Chloe’s friend. And this is Kyle Darren.”

“Nice to meet you,” Constantine said, grasping her hand for a moment, before reaching to shake Kyle’s. “I’m Constantine Knight. Welcome to Midnight Luna.” His voice conveyed ownership and he surveyed their surroundings with obvious pride.

“Wait,” Chloe said, getting to her feet. “I thought you worked here.” This wasn’t good. She wanted a one-night-stand with a server or bartender. Not the owner of the hippest club in the city.

Constantine’s brow furrowed. “Oh, I work here, I assure you.” One side of his mouth curved upward. “Are you enjoying your drinks?”

“Tyrese is awesome,” said Kyle, giving the man working his magic down the bar a hearty salute. “The dude made me a drink that brought back my college days.”

“I believe he is a sorcerer.” Constantine raised his hand and Tyrese stepped in front of Jill, as if already headed in their direction. “Please make my guests another round. On the house. Anything they’d like.”

“Happy to, Conny.” The man’s dark skin crinkled with mischief in the corners of his eyelids.

A duo of thanks and excited chatter came from the excited couple.

Chloe stood in front of her stool, her purple sweet tart abandoned. She needed to abort her plan. This man was too important. Too big. Too everything.

She couldn’t have a backroom quickie with him and walk away. Being with him could ruin her for any future men. Who could ever compare to this power house?

And what if he wanted more than sex? Or if she did?