“I should be honored to share libations with such a lovely queen,” he replied.
Libations? The man most definitely was not the standard bar slug or even a hipster (the brewery’s standard customer). And Eryss remembered that she had been feeling horny not too long ago. How lucky could a girl get to find her soul mate and have him be übersexy, as well?
When he offered it, she took his arm and allowed him to lure her over to the bonfire. They found a spot close enough to warm their hands but far enough away so as not to ignite Eryss’s sparkly skirt. The man with the sudden and seductive laughter got them hot chocolates from the bar posted outside the front of the mansion. It served eggnog, hot chocolate, hot brandy and some kind of drink called a Dirty Snowman. Despite her trade, Eryss didn’t like beer all that much, so she was thankful to sip something sweet with just a touch of alcohol.
“I’m Dane Winther, by the way.” He handed her a paper mug. “I was on my way inside to find my coat, but I suddenly find the need for warmth has dissipated. And I’ve yet to take a sip of this thick brew.” He winked at her. “Must be the company.”
A charmer? She could work with that. “Eryss Norling.” She offered her hand, which he shook. “Stand closer to the fire. You really need to warm those hands.”
He moved closer and wrapped both hands around the mug. After blowing over the hot chocolate, he took a sip. “Norling? I believe that means something like ‘they who come from the north’?”
“Got it in one guess. But I’ve always lived here in the north. I own The Decadent Dames brewery in town.”
“Ah, yes, I noticed that place. Across from the antiques store? I had wondered how decadent a beer could be, but you were closed when I passed by.”
“We had to finish kegging the Iced Kiss for tonight. We’ll be open tomorrow. And I promise a very decadent experience if you try the oatmeal cream stout.”
“I do like a nice dark beer. And chocolate.” He held up his mug, tapped it against hers in a paper-thud toast, then tilted back a swallow. “Mmm...you Minnesotans do know how to do hot chocolate. I think there’s booze in this.”
Eryss smirked. “It’s got crème de menthe in it. We call it a Chocolate Kiss.”
A bemused smile danced in his eyes, and once again captivated by his utter and easy merriment, Eryss swayed, but stopped herself as soon as she felt her body lean toward him, toward his interesting ocean-surf scent. It was a scent she’d recently smelled. But...where and when? Wow, she was really leaning close now. She did not want to scare the man away because he thought she was weird. Or excited over finding someone she had known for ages.
“Mmm, yes, it’s got a touch of mint in it. A kiss, indeed.” He grinned and took another sip.
His eyes actually smiled. And with all that thick, carelessly swept hair that virtually demanded a woman run her fingers through it, could the man be any cuter?
Eryss stepped closer until they stood shoulder to shoulder before the bonfire. The blaze toasted her cheeks. Or was that Dane? She loved the name. Very Nordic.
Did he feel the same way about her? As if he knew her? She jittered on her toes, knowing she stood next to him. The one!
Maybe. She shouldn’t get ahead of herself. She could simply be feeling giddy over bumping into one heck of a hot man.
“I’ll have to stop in to your brewery,” he said. “I find I’m on a forced vacation in your chilly little town. I was supposed to pick up a rare dagger from Stuart’s Stuff, but the proprietor is out of town.”
“Hawaii for a funeral. Isn’t that lucky?”
“I said the same thing, but I don’t think the owner’s sister found the humor in my wishing for warmer weather. Though she did allow me to take a second cookie.”
“Ha! Gladiola Stuart is discerning about whom she allows to have a cookie. Apparently, you passed the test. And I can see why.”
Eryss cautioned herself from drawing her gaze up and down his body in an indiscreet droolfest. She wasn’t that kind of girl. Mostly. She was much more stealthy, and had already checked out his ass when he’d gone to get the hot chocolates. Nice and tight. And no, he hadn’t given any indication that he recognized her in any way.
Chill, she cautioned inwardly. Do not freak the man out.
“Where did you come from?” she asked over her steaming mug. “I’m guessing someplace warmer by your thin shirt and vest? And the tan.”
He palmed his chest. The tweed vest granted him an astute, teacherly vibe, which, when added to the smoldering dark looks, Eryss found intriguing.
“I’m from Santa Cruz, about an hour from San Francisco. I’m afraid the tan is a permanent condition. And I had to buy a warm coat in the Minneapolis airport after I’d arrived. Can you believe I’ve never experienced snow before? And I’m a geologist.”
“You’ll be baptized by fire, or rather ice, here in Minnesota. What branch of geology?”
“Geochemistry. Which means I really like rocks. But I also dabble in botany and anthropological genetics. I like to have options.”
“I guess you do. I like rocks and plants. Genetics is beyond my grasp.”
“It’s my weakest field of study. But the little I know tells me that you had at least one blue-eyed parent to be sporting the color yourself. Gorgeous.”
Eryss parted her lips to speak, but then couldn’t think of a thing to say. He smiled a little when she caught him staring into her eyes. It was a flirtatious moment that made her giggle.
“So what are you dressed as tonight?” she asked.
“I didn’t have time for a costume. Gladiola Stuart told me about the party earlier. I guess you could say I’m a scientist.”
Eryss purred over the steamy chocolate. “I suddenly find myself quite fond of science.”
His brow lifted and a smile glittered in the man’s deep brown eyes. And like that, Eryss’s ovaries did the dance of joy.
“To science.” He offered his mug in another toast.
Eryss tapped her mug gently against his and shivered one of those good, warm-all-over shivers. First handsome man she’d met since the anacampserote, and here she was thinking he was the one.
Or was she overreacting because he was also the sexiest thing on two legs that managed to touch her with his dancing eyes and laughter?
“So you said you’re in town for a while?”
“Seems Mr. Stuart won’t be back for a week. Can you recommend some good restaurants and places to visit?”
“I probably can. But you’ll have to drive into Minneapolis for culture and fine dining.”
“I may do that. If I can find a car rental place. I took a cab here. Though I’m not so sure how I would fare driving on these snow-encrusted streets.”
“It does require some talent to navigate the black ice. But you’ll have a few good days before we get walloped again.”
“Walloped?”
“There’s snow headed our way. It’s going to warm up to the twenties, which provides great conditions for snow.”
“Warm up to the twenties,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I suppose you think that’s downright balmy?”
“Oh, it is.” It was always fun to tease the out-of-towners. In reality, Eryss wasn’t much for the below-zero weather, but she took it all in stride. Living in Minnesota afforded her all the seasons. Too bad winter generally lasted almost six months. “So what kind of dagger would a scientist be looking for?”