I can’t help that my eyes flicker over to his as I grip my purse strap and settle it in place. His shirt is pulled taut and over his muscular frame and his tanned skin is decorated with ink. Tattoos travel down his chest and arms, peeking out below his collarbone from the crisp white cotton shirt and leaving a trail of intricate designs all the way down to his wrists. I’m too far away to see what they say or what they are. I know if he were in a suit, the tattoos would be hidden, but something tells me he’s proud to have them on full display.

“What are you up to?” he asks me and catches me off guard.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” I answer him easily, although I don’t know how, swaying a little from side to side in a flirtatious way I didn’t intend. My body can’t help but be attracted to his. Some part of me is eager to know how his tattooed skin would feel against my fingertips.

There’s a scar over his left eyebrow and it’s subtle, but even from this distance I notice it. As his deep rough chuckle fills the night air and drowns out the other sounds of the city, I find myself wondering how he got it.

“A man can wonder, though,” he says, causing a hot blush to creep slowly into my cheeks. I bite down on my lower lip, but that doesn’t stop the shy smile from showing. I have to stop and give him the attention he’s looking for as he leans forward, holding me captive to whatever’s on his mind.

“You’re pretty, you know that?” he says and I roll my eyes. Even if I know this flirtation isn’t just for me, that he’s simply playing with me, I still enjoy it. I crave it even. I’m sure he’s already used these lines tonight.

“Sure, and you’re not too bad looking either.” I enjoy the flirting, the attention. At least coming from him. He makes me feel things I haven’t before.

He splays a hand over his heart and cocks his head as he says, “Well thank you, beautiful, I aim for ‘not bad.’” This time I’m the one laughing, a short, soft snicker as I kick the bottom of my heels against the ground and stare at them for a moment, readying myself to say goodbye and end his bout of teasing. I don’t trust myself not to say anything and instead I just wave and carry on, expecting him to do the same.