Chapter 2
Emma
Sitting at the bar by myself, I sipped my wine. For a moment, I let my mind drift to the mystery man that prevented my fall and later made an appearance at the café. I wondered what it would be like to stare into those wicked emerald eyes while letting his hands roam freely over my naked body, tantalizing and torturing me with the promise of pleasures to come. No harm in fantasizing, right? Or maybe there was. The excitement I felt for this handsome stranger had found its way between my legs, and I was now squirming in my seat. Best to push this fantasy aside while I was in public.
"Why aren't you dancing? You've turned away every guy who has approached you. All they are asking for is a dance, not a lifelong obligation!" Char had stopped back by to check on me and apparently to chastise me as well.
"Are you spying on me? I laughed. "I'm not in a dancing kind of mood. Besides, I'm getting a kick out of people watching."
I had never been a fan of meeting men in bars or clubs. I always teased Char that she had snagged the last good man that ever walked into a club. The typical guys I ran into were narcissists only looking for one night between the sheets.
Marriage and long-term commitment might not be my thing, but neither was one night of sex with some sweaty asshole I’d never see or even wanted to see again. I usually stayed to myself or with friends whenever I was at a bar or dance club—much to Char’s chagrin. Char was convinced I could still meet a good man in a bar or anywhere for that matter.
She shook her head. “Well, I don’t go out often and feel like dancing. I’m sitting at a table closer to the dance floor. Why don’t you come sit back there with me?”
“The music is too loud back there and the bar is farther away from the band. Don’t worry, I’m a big girl and can handle myself.”
“Suit yourself, bestie.” She kissed my cheek and went back to her table.
As I sat at the bar nursing my wine, I observed a young couple at the other end of the bar that appeared to be arguing. I couldn’t tell what they were saying over the deafening music, but they were throwing their arms up, pointing and gesturing at each other. Another couple a few seats down from me were deep into some serious PDA.
The band was doing a pretty good rendition of Maroon 5’s “Sugar.” I decided maybe dancing might be fun after all and was about to go find Char, but then the song ended and the band announced they were taking a short break.
“Am I following you or are you following me?” a deep voice behind me asked playfully.
“What?” I turned around. “Oh shit!” I blurted, startled to find the man I had just been fantasizing about was standing behind me.
“Not exactly the greeting I hoped for,” he said, smiling, exposing dazzling white teeth.
“I know this is a small town, but this is what … the third or fourth time we’ve been in the same place at the same time? I figured I should at least introduce myself. I’m Ryan,” he said. Turning to face the bartender, he ordered a Heineken and glanced at my glass to order me another.
“Either we have very similar tastes, it’s fate, or you’re stalking me.” I smiled back at him.
“Let’s go with fate,” he said flashing a smile. He had this incredibly wicked half-smile that made his eyes sparkle, emitting a cocky confidence, yet it was boyish enough to hint at vulnerability. I wondered how many women he had charmed the panties off of with nothing but that smile.
“That’s twice today you’ve greeted me with “Oh shit!” Do you greet everyone that way or am I special?” He was still standing, despite the empty stool next to him.
“You caught me by surprise—both times. Well, you literally caught me the first time.”
“Glad I could help.” His eyes traveled my body, ending at my high heels. “You look fantastic in those shoes, but are they worth the risk?”
“They are when your only five-three.” Intense heat traveled across my cheeks. I imagined they were turning that lovely shade of pink from earlier. I hoped the bar was dark enough he wouldn’t notice.
“Thank you for the wine.” I motioned to the new glass that now sat in front of me.
“Anytime. Do you mind if I sit?” he asked, placing his hand on the small of my back, invading my space. A shiver ran down my spine. Just the slight touch of his hand resting on my back caused my fun zone to wake up all tingly and aroused.
“Not at all.” I nodded toward the empty stool next to me.
“So what’s wrong with being five-three? I prefer petite women.”
“I’m going to assume you’ve never been in a grocery store and had to ask someone to reach the top shelf for you,” I said, laughing. I guessed his height at about six feet.
“No, I haven’t. But I’m sure you don’t have any trouble finding someone to help you.”
“You’re right. There is usually some kind soul willing to help out a short girl. But despite the potential for falling on my butt, I like wearing heels. They just feel kind of sexy.”
“On you, they’re sexy,” he agreed. “But to be a fair, I think you’d be sexy with or without the shoes.”
I felt a quiver of excitement pinging my nether region. I was starting to wonder if he might be worth pursuing, so I decided to take a chance and find out if he lived locally. "Do you live in Colorado?"
He leaned in a little closer, allowing the side of his arm to rub against mine. Did the lights in the bar just flicker? They must have since all the electricity in the room just shot through my body. I’d never felt this kind of sexual arousal just from being near a man. Was he feeling the same chemistry?
"Passing through, heading out in the morning. What brings you to Estes Park?" he asked.
Oh well, so much for taking a chance. He doesn't live here, which confirms he’s just looking for a hookup. Tempting.
"A wedding," I said, deciding not to volunteer any information.
"Not yours, I hope?"
"Why yes it was. I thought rather than be with my husband on our wedding night, I would spend it sitting at the local tavern talking to a stranger."
"Lucky for me, but if I were him, you wouldn't be leaving your hotel room for at least a week."
I rolled my eyes. "You do know I'm kidding, right?"
"Of course. But I wasn't. It would be at least a week."
What a week that would be!
I thought it best to ignore his last comment. "For someone who wants to get married, Estes Park is a perfect place for a wedding."
"Someone who wants to get married," he repeated. "Does that mean you're not interested in getting married?
"Marriage isn't necessarily for everyone." Why did I volunteer my anti-marriage feelings to a guy who was more than likely on the prowl for a quick night of sex? "What brought you to Estes Park?" I asked, trying to put the focus back on him.
"On my way to somewhere else."
"Really? Vague much?"
Ryan stared at me with that panty-wetting half-smile and a glint in his eyes. His stare told me he was elusive on purpose. A man with only one goal on his mind.
Char popped back up to the bar and ordered a beer. "Hey! You're the guy with the great ass from this afternoon!"
"Why thank you." He winked at her, not at all embarrassed. They exchanged greetings. Char grabbed her beer, faced me, and silently mouthed, "Soo hot!" She turned back toward Ryan, "I'm going back to the dance floor. You two enjoy yourselves!"
"Char, it's getting late, and we have to head out in the morning. Don't you think we should go?" I gave her a pleading look, hoping she would realize I wanted an escape from Ryan. My attraction to him might be intense, but he didn't live in Colorado and wasn't looking for anything beyond tonight. I needed to leave before I did or said something stupid.
"Nonsense, we don't have to get up early. You've got a babysitter for Sierra so we can take our time in the morning." Glancing at Ryan and then at me, she left for the dance floor without listening to my protest. We knew each other well enough that Char was fully aware that I was asking for an escape. I knew she wants me to be in a relationship, but come on, did she really think Ryan was the kind of guy looking for a commitment?
"Sierra? You have a child?" Ryan asked.
"Yep, she's two, beautiful, and the love of my life."
"But no husband?"
"No."
I thought about asking him if he had any kids but didn't want to know that much about his life. What would be the point?
When I told him I had a child, he leaned back, out of my personal space, which he had been invading. His brow creased, and I had the distinct impression he was trying to determine if it was worth going forward with his pursuit or if he should walk away. It didn't take long for him to decide.
Despite the dim bar lights, I could see the gleam of desire flicker in his eyes as he searched my face for a sign that I might be into sharing a night of animalistic lust. Given his incredible looks and the chemistry I felt, I was tempted. My brain and my body were at war. My brain screamed for me to walk away, while my body begged me to stay. I had known Ryan for only a short time, and though trying to feign control, my stomach was in knots, my nerves raw, and my panties wet. I was sure this man had the ability to both rock my world and destroy it.
I decided to make this easier for both of us. "I really do appreciate you breaking my fall today … and returning my keys. But we are going separate ways in the morning, and I'm not going home with you tonight. Not much sense in swapping life stories, is there?"
Ryan looked a little startled but then asked me my name, acting like I hadn't just tried to blow him off.
"Emma," I said. Looking into his eyes, my mind went back to my previous fantasy as I imagined him ripping off my clothes, his soft lips gently kissing the inside of my thighs … Damn, it had been too long since I’d been with someone.
Definitely time to bail. The two glasses of wine I'd had were enough, any more and I might not stop myself.
The musicians returned from their break, and the loud music made talking impossible. Ryan leaned in and put his hand on my back, brushing his lips against my neck, his warm breath tickling my skin. He let his hand slide down, and I started to tremble. Was I actually hoping he would kiss me? What was wrong with me?
"Emma …" His voice vibrated gently against my ear. "I'm going to Colorado Springs in the morning. Any chance you're going my way?"
I bit my bottom lip. "No." I shook my head in what felt like slow motion. Then in an uncharacteristic move, I grabbed a pen off the bar and wrote my number on a napkin. "But if you ever find yourself in Denver, give me a call," I said, handing him the napkin.
Sliding off my seat, I left to find Charlotte. I felt Ryan's eyes on me as I walked away. I turned around in time to watch him glance at the napkin as he shoved it into his pocket and left. I was surprised at myself for giving him my number… but it didn't matter. He would never call. He wasn’t the type. Come morning, we would both be going in different directions. The rugged, beautiful man with brilliant green eyes, whose simple touch sent an electrical current through me strong enough to light an entire football field, would forever remain a fantasy.