Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Cody chuckled. “Wear contacts. That’s what I do. I’d be blind as a bat without them.”
“Yeah, contacts are probably the way to go, but I still have to make an appointment and get to the office to make that happen. See? My phobia rears its ugly head, and here I still am…squinting at a cute stranger in a dark bar ’cause I can’t see a damn thing from a distance,” I huffed, reaching for my beer.
“A cute stranger. Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
“Thanks, but since you need glasses, I won’t get overly excited about the compliment,” he quipped.
I grinned. When the urge to assure him I thought he was very attractive got too strong, I switched topics. If our acquaintanceship had another ten-minute run, it was probably wise to tone down my flirting game. “Tell me about the research you’re doing with your friends.”
Cody sobered immediately and cleared his throat. “Um, there isn’t much more to tell.”
I grinned like a madman. “Bullshit. Something sassy is goin’ on here. Admit it.”
“No, no. Nothing like that.”
“Sure, I believe you,” I taunted. “Let me guess. You’re supposed to pick someone up, sex them up, and then write about it.”
He did that fish-out-of-water, openmouthed look and shook his head. “Uh…no.”
I set my hand on his shoulder and let out a hearty guffaw. “I think that’s a yes. Looks like I did half your research for you by coming over here and buying you a drink.”
“No, you have the wrong idea. A researcher is an observer. I didn’t intend to speak to anyone.”
“But you’re talking to me now. Ball’s back in your court, Code-meister.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s flirtin’ time! Bring it on. Hit me with your best moves, lines…whatever floats your boat.”
Cody shook his head furiously. “No, I’m—I’m not good at that.”
“I am.”
“I can tell.”
“Then use me.” I threw my arms open wide and gave him a Cheshire cat grin. “I’m a great flirt. Gold-medal caliber. I’ll teach you a trick or two before I head out.”
“That’s very generous of you,” he snarked.
I nodded. “I know, right? And look at you. You’re already flirtin’. The boy’s a natural!”
“No. No, I wasn’t flirt—ooh, I get it. Teasing is part of flirting.”
“It can be. It’s all in your tone of voice and your body language.”
He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “I see.”
“You know, you’re thinking too hard. Flirting is a free-form sport. It’s all about trusting your instincts and staying in the moment. There’s no script.”
“A script! Yes. That’s a great idea.” Cody pulled his cell from his pocket and typed a quick message.
“No. Bad idea. Put your phone away, hotshot. Now, look at me. Remember, body language matters. You’ve got to make and maintain eye contact. But you also need to lean in a little,” I instructed. “Give it a try.”
He wiped his palms on his thighs, sucked in a deep breath, and licked his lips before teetering into my personal space.
“What should I say?”
“Give me a compliment. First thing that pops into your mind.”
“You have pretty eyes,” he said, fluttering his lashes.
Don’t laugh, don’t laugh. I pursed my lips and bit the inside of my cheek, hoping to keep the floodgate intact.
“Thank—ha! I’m sorry, but that was terrible, honey. Try again.” I set my hand on his knee and squeezed. “This time, don’t give me those baby blues. This isn’t about you. A good flirt makes it about the other person. Show me what you got.”
“No, thanks.” He twisted to face forward and primly picked up his cocktail.
I smiled. This guy was fucking adorable. I tipped back the last of my beer and observed the rigid set of his shoulders and his tight-lipped expression.
“Hmm, you’re kinda sassy, aren’t you?”
He set his glass down and gaped at me. “Sassy? Are you for real? I rescind my compliment. You don’t have pretty eyes. Grr, that’s not true. You do. But you’re too…too…”
“Too what? Keep going. We’re cooking with butter now, baby. Don’t stop,” I encouraged, circling my wrist like a director on a movie set.
“Too cool. I don’t do well with cool.”
“Me? I’m not cool. I’m just…good at faking it. And the one thing I’ve learned is that sincerity matters. It’s best to say something you think is true about the other person.”
“You want me to tell you what I really think of you?”
I grinned. “The nice stuff. Remember…this is just practice.”
“Okay, um…you have beautiful eyes. In fact, you’re easily the most handsome man I’ve ever met. You’re funny and you seem nice and—”
“Oops. You’re losing steam.”
“How?”
“Well, telling a guy he’s handsome is good, but following it up with ‘nice’ is a buzzkill. Better to stick to a theme and keep rolling, you know?”
“A theme…like body parts. Okay.” Cody furrowed his brow. “You’re muscular and your beard is…sexy. I wonder what it would feel like if you rubbed it against my—never mind. Wow, erase the last thirty seconds of my life, please.” He reached for his glass with a trembling hand.