Then, continuing onto the next table, he sat down and started his intro before looking at the woman. “Hey. Cade Fenix. And before we get started, I’m not looking for anything ser—” he cut himself off when he glanced at the woman, then blinked.
A warmth enveloped him, his heart sped to twice its normal beat. Heat, like an oven, cascaded from deep within, pouring out through the rest of his body. This woman had silvery blonde hair, striking blue eyes, a beautiful face, and lips that screamed to be kissed.
He leaned forward and words escaped him for the first time in his life. He simply just stared, dumbfounded, and gob smacked.
She raised her brow. “Umm, hi. My name is Annabelle. What’s yours, again? Cade Fenix? Interesting name.”
Her voice was like notes of music only written for her. It was a choir of angels who sang as the heavens opened up in her glory.
She waved her hand in front of him and giggled. “Cade? Are you in there?”
“Go out with me after this. Please, I beg of you.”
She sat back in her seat and her smile shifted to concern. “You beg of me? You don’t even know me.”
“Funny, I feel as if I do. Do you feel that, too?”
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to feel for a man that just sat down at my table.”
He leaned in further. “Can I be bold?”
“Haven’t you been already?”
He chuckled. “Yes, and no. I live in the mountains near San Antonio. I’d love to show you around sometime.”
“San Antonio, Texas does not have mountains.”
He grinned. “No, the mountains just east of here. I have land up there I live on with my family. You’d love it there.”
“That’s quite inconspicuous of you to ask me this. You know, I could be a serial killer.”
His smile grew. “Then stab me in the heart because I’m captivated by you.”
What the fuck were these words coming out of his mouth?
The buzzer sounded and she smiled with a tilt of her head. “Well, Cade Fenix. It has been quite… interesting. Thank you.”
He didn’t stand. Rather, he remained where he was, not wanting to let this woman out of his sight.
Was this what it meant by finding your mate?
He’d never wanted to lay with someone as much as he did with her. To sink his cock deep inside, claim her as his mate, and never let her leave his bedroom.
“Hey, buddy, time to move on,” a man’s voice said next to him.
“Take the next table,” he growled.
“That’s not how this—”
Cade stood abruptly and grabbed the man by his shirt, moved him to the next table, and shoved him into the seat. He sat back down across from Annabelle. “Sorry about that.”
“Umm,” she started and glanced past his shoulder. She shrugged, then moved her eyes back to his. “It looks like one of the hosts is coming this way. You might want to make a break for it.”
Picking up the teasing tone in her voice, he held out his hand. “Come with me.”
She laughed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Not a chance. I’m not in a romance story and you’re not a prince trying to save a damsel from a dragon.”
He chuckled at her chosen words. “Oh, if you only knew.”
Snag your copy of Hell's Belle by Julie Morgan at your favorite online retailer.