His jaw is clenched tight and he’s wearing a deep frown. He looks detached, almost angry, the practiced emotion etched into every inch of his hard features. But his eyes tell a different story. There’s a gentleness and hesitation in them. I resist the urge to run my fingers along the scruff at his square jaw or over the dark tattoos that line his arms. I have a sudden and unexplainable need to hear him laugh. I bet he’s unfathomably beautiful when he’s happy.

“Looks like I have my very own knight in shining armor,” I coo. “Thanks for the assist, big man.” He scoffs. Tough crowd.

Devin nods behind me and Austin shoots up like a rocket, his eyes locked on Elizabeth. I spin out of Devin’s arms and take Austin’s vacated seat. My leg is pressed against Devin’s as both our gazes follow the path Austin blazes to his target. I lean into Devin, using the loud room as justification for the intimacy. Really, I just want to know if he’ll pull away when I press my body against his. He doesn’t. He smells amazing. Something mechanical and hard that I can’t place.

“Someone’s smitten,” I murmur into Devin’s ear.

“Him or her?”

I let out a mock gasp. “He speaks. Be still my heart.”

He turns towards me slowly. I refuse to pull back, my grin locked in place. His face is less than an inch away. The bustle of the room around us fades as his dark eyes burn into mine. I pull in a long, slow breath, trying not to suffocate in the desire to kiss him. I’ve never felt an instant attraction like this. His gaze drops to my lips and heat pools in my stomach. I lean into him farther, my eyes fluttering closed and my nose nearly grazing his.

I can tell he snaps his head away by the swift wash of air over my heated cheeks. My eyes pop open and my jaw drops. Staring straight forward, he clears his throat and takes a slow sip of his beer.

What a damn tease.

I shake it off with a chuckle. “Both,” I answer his earlier question. He nods. I have no idea if that is an agreement or just acknowledgment. “Guess it’s true what they say…”

He turns to me, an eyebrow raised in question. The right side of my mouth quirks up at the sight. He’s curious, even if he refuses to ask. I lean across his body and take the beer out of his hand. I keep my eyes locked on his as I take a long pull and hand it back.

“Opposites attract.”

He turns his face down and stares at his beer. I can’t quite tell, but I’d swear he’s wearing the hint of a smile.

Something slams into my side.

“Jessie Bird!” A drunk Michelle cries into my ear. She plasters herself to me and wraps her arms around my neck. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”