Sofia looks at me with a question in her eyes. I roll my eyes and shake my head as if to say I got it, thanks. She tips her chin, and I know she’ll throw his ass out if he gets rowdy. Hopefully, I can get him to back away without having to make a scene. I am here to catch a big fish, after all. I won’t have a bite if I come across as drama before the night even starts.
“I’m from this here, the U.S. of A.” He grins, and it feels eerily like he is about to pound his chest with his fists like a Neanderthal. He is somewhat handsome, tall, black hair, blue eyes. If he wasn’t that far drunk, and he hadn’t opened his mouth, I may have considered him as my boy-toy for the night. “I’m Doctor Keach,” he adds. When he says doctor, I take it I’m supposed to be impressed.
“I’m actually waiting for someone, so if you don’t mind . . .” I trail off, hoping he gets the hint this time.
“Oh, come on. You look so exotic, like a spicy Latina.” He says Latina with a mocking accent that I can only assume is meant to mimic my own. My nostrils flare, and I count to ten.
This idiot doesn’t realize I could have him on the ground and begging for his mommy in less than ten seconds flat. Don’t use your power on civilians, Valentina. I remind myself of Chema’s anger management lessons. Leave it for the cage. Never out in everyday life.
“We can have a good time, honey,” he slurs.
“Sorry, buddy, she’s with me.” A voice much too deep for the body it came out of turns both our attention. I do a double-take when I see Rory, who is in the process of placing his hand on the small of my back. He doesn’t make contact with me, though, and instead lets his hand hover over my backside. He wants drunky here to believe it, and he is selling it good.
“Like I said,” I tell Dr. Keach, “I was waiting for someone.”
“All right, all right. No harm done.” He raises his hands in surrender as he walks backward, stumbling on a few people before he turns to face the opposite direction.
“Thanks,” I say to Rory.
“No problem. It didn’t look like you were having fun.”
“I wasn’t, but I had it under control.”
“I don’t doubt it,” says Rory. “But I thought maybe I could save you some time.”
My gaze sweeps his body from face to shoes. He is wearing jeans and a grey t-shirt, but the outfit is polished. His short, reddish beard is expertly kept, and he looks fresh like he just got out of a shower. This will do nicely. Very nicely indeed.
“That’s the second time you saved me this week,” I say.
“I thought you looked familiar.”
“The vending machine?” I remind him. “You bought me a Pop-Tart.”
“That’s right. That was you.” His eyes squint like he is trying to place my face in that scenario.
“In your defense,” I offer, “I look much better tonight.”
He smirks, accepting my awkward flirting. God, I’m so bad at this. My booty-call bench is so much easier. All I have to do is text one of them, at random, so no one’s feelings get hurt, and ask: Free to fuck tonight? Somehow I don’t think that methodology will go over well with Rory. “Can I buy you a drink?” I ask.
“Um—” he looks toward a group of men sitting at a table in the corner of the bar.
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” My heart sinks a little, but I keep smiling. “I just wanted to thank you for the Pop-Tart and for coming to my rescue tonight. Let me buy you the drink—no strings. You can take it over and enjoy it with your friends.”
“No, that’s not what I—um, just, let me go say bye to them, and I’ll be right back.”
My heart flutters, and I don’t understand this new sensation. It must be the whiskey. “Sure. I can order in the meantime. What’s your poison?”
“A beer?”
“You got it.”
I order his beer, and Sofia has it ready for him before he gets back. I swivel in my barstool to look at him standing near the table with his buddies. They roar with laughter, and one of them pats him in the back. His fair complexion makes the reddening of his neck glaringly obvious, and I smile. He palms the back of his neck as if he can feel the heat there. It’s cute, really.
Rory is nerdy and slim and oh so very handsome. I hope he’ll let me take him home tonight. If this fails, I have to make a mental note to hit the nearest adult toy store first thing in the morning.
He grins as he takes the barstool next to mine. “Thanks,” he says as he grabs his beer and takes a long pull. He is nervous and buying time. It’s adorable.
“It’s the least I could do,” I say, opening up the conversation for him. He seems lost for what to say next, so I speak again. “Are you from Kansas City?” I ask, starting with a safe topic I hope will engage him.
“No,” he says. “I’m from Minnesota.” His entire face brightens when he thinks of home, and I know I’ve chosen the right topic. “Here for work. I’ve been here a few years now.”
“I’d love some advice on what to check out. It’s only my second night in Kansas City. Sofia?” I call her attention, and she looks over right away. She smiles knowingly as she looks between Rory and me, and I point to my empty drink.
“Oh, KC is great. You’ll really love it,” says Rory.
I start on my third drink, and Rory falls silent. His brows crease like he is thinking of something and he is unsure if he should say it. “Well?” he asks finally. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
“Go where?” I ask.
“I’m going to show you Kansas City.”
“Tonight?” I set my drink down and wipe my mouth with a napkin.
“No time like the present.”
I cock my head to the side. Is this man serious? No time like the present?
“Come on. You are wearing walking shoes. Let’s do this.”
“Can I at least finish my drink?” I ask.
“Yeah. Sure. The night is young.”
I almost spit my drink. Does he only speak in clichés? “Did you just say that?”
“What?”
“The night is young? That’s such a cliché,” I inform him.
“It’s going to take a lot to impress you, isn’t it, Miss Valentina, um—what’s your last name?”
“Almonte. And are you trying to impress me, Rory . . . ?”
“Dennis,” he says. “And, yes. Maybe I am trying to impress you.”
I bite my lip as I lock eyes with him, and his jade-green eyes darken. The third drink is plunging me into tipsy territory, and I push it away. As I stare deep into his eyes, I realize even his eyes have freckles.
“What are you looking at?” he asks.
“Your eyes have freckles. These little flecks of brown swimming in the green.”
“Ah, that.” He takes another swig of his beer. “Yeah, my mom used to tell me it was poop.”
“What?” I almost yell as I ask, my eyes wide with surprise.
“Yeah, when I was a kid, she had me convinced the little pieces of brown were tiny flecks of poop floating around my irises. Said it was because I was so full of shit.” He smirks and drinks from his beer bottle again.
I throw my head back with laughter. This man is funny. “Your mom sounds like a badass,” I say.
“She really is.”
We are both laughing and relaxed. I don’t remember feeling this way with anyone on a first date. “I don’t think I’ll be finishing my drink after all,” I say. We both stand, and I press my hand to his chest. It’s firm, and my body heats at the feel of it. “Rory,” I say with a breathy voice.
“Yeah?”
“If we go out tonight, I hope you understand I intend to take you to bed before the date is over. Don’t leave with me if you are not interested in that.”
His eyebrow arches, and he pushes his glasses further up his nose so he can better look at me. His jaw slackens, and I know his brain is misfiring. I walk out of the bar without looking back but hope he is right behind me.
I step into the warm night and tak
e a deep breath of air. Not even three seconds pass before Rory is at my side.
“Sorry,” he says. “You kind of caught me off guard there.”
“You’re here, so I take it you are interested?”
He nods. “You’re very forward, aren’t you?”
“Not really, but I don’t have any time to waste,” I say plainly because it is the absolute truth.
Valentina’s story is releasing September 17, 2021.
Click here to order your copy now.
Also by Ofelia Martinez
The Heartland Metro Hospital Series
Valentina & Rory’s Story: Contusion
Izel & Logan’s Story: Incision (Novella)
Acknowledgments
I want to thank all the women in my life who inspire me with their strength, grace, and love: My namesake, the O.G. Ofelia, Lety, Alma, Aida, Crystal, Andrea, Melissa, Aubrey, Anny, and Liz. You've all taught me what it is to lift each others' crowns. There are no words that could adequately describe how much I love you.
Also, much gratitude to my beta readers without whose feedback this book wouldn't exist: Claudia and Chris. You are both the best!
Big thanks also due to the editors at Midnight Owl Editors. Your amazing team saved this manuscript.
Lastly, to my partner and best friend, Robert. Though you never understood the dream, you fueled it with your encouragement and love. Thank you for setting up my writing space, keeping my technology alive long enough to finish this book, and providing the snacks and chocolate when I was buried in deadlines. But most importantly, thank you for being a prince among men and giving me my happily ever after.
About the Author
Ofelia Martinez is a Mexican-American author. Originally from the Texas border, Ofelia now resides in Missouri with her partner and their dog, Pixel.
This is Ofelia’s first book.
She loves good books, tequila, and chocolate. She proudly shares a birthday with Usagi Tsukino. When not writing, you can find Ofelia making visual art.
Visit OfeliaMartinez.com to learn more.
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