Someone bumps into me from behind, and I shift slightly to the right so he or she can squeeze in beside me. Damn, this bar area is small and crowded. I pull my phone from my purse, punch in the code, and attempt to read my message, but I can’t because I’m suddenly shuffled away from the bar by a small group of people who are determined to shove me out of the way so they can get within yelling distance of the bartender. I barely have enough time to grab my drink before I’m being pushed through the mass of people. I grip the glass of Crown and Coke a bit tighter and pull my purse and phone against my chest to keep from dropping everything. I stumble through the crowd, moving away from the bar, and then my phone begins to slip from my grip. I decide to save what’s most important, so I let my drink fall from my hand. Luckily, I’m able to catch my phone, but somehow in the middle of this juggling clusterfuck, I drop my purse.
“Dammit!” Everything that was tucked nicely inside it is now spread out all over the floor. Motherfucker!
I drop down to my knees and grab everything within reach. It’s so dark and smoky that I can hardly see what’s directly in front of me, much less what’s scattered across this nasty, sticky floor. Panic takes over because I can’t remember exactly what was in my bag. I spy my empty glass lying a few feet away and am thankful it wasn’t actually a glass but a plastic cup; otherwise I’d be pulling shards of glass from my skin right now. I find my wallet, keys, and lipstick, as well as a small notepad, a pen, and a loose credit card. I shove them into my purse as I continue to move around on my knees searching every inch of the slimy floor. What else was in there?
“Oh, shit,” I mumble as I survey the area again. “Fuck, where are they?” I feel around across the sticky mess as I say a silent prayer that maybe I am mistaken and there wasn’t anything else in the small bag.
“Looking for these?” a gravelly voice asks from several feet above me.
Please, God, no . . . this can’t be happening. I squeeze my eyes closed, heave in a deep breath, and try to regain my composure. As my eyes flutter open, I’m met with a pair of muscular legs covered in dark jeans. I blink a couple of times as my gaze slowly takes in every single inch of the denim. The black T-shirt quickly comes into view, and I know it’s him. That voice fits perfectly with his smug, confident, vain, cocky demeanor. I swallow hard as I force myself to stand and face the music—or in this case, the jackass who is currently taunting me with what is mine.
My knees and hands are grimy, sticky, and all-around disgusting. I need a freaking shower after the bar floor crawl, but first I have to take care of the six-foot something, blond, completely hot asshole standing directly in front of me. My gaze travels from the hem of his black T-shirt, over the hard muscles of his chest, and lands on his face. His smirk has returned, and his eyes have a certain twinkle to them that I didn’t notice from across the room. I grip my clutch tightly with my right hand and extend my left arm out in front of him with my palm up.
“Give it to me,” I say loudly.
He laughs. Dammit! Even his laugh is captivating.
He takes a step closer and tilts his head slightly to the right. “What’s it worth to you?” he asks as his smirk transforms into a full grin.
I roll my eyes. Seriously? “Oh my God. What are you, twelve?”
His grin grows wider as he moves even closer, teasing me with his arrogance.
That smile, his look, the way he wears his self-assurance—the combination is both a turn-on and irritating as hell. My body temperature increases about twenty degrees, and I can’t tell if it’s because I’m mad or turned on. Ugh! The thought of someone so arrogant being a turn-on makes me angry, mostly at myself.
I cross my arms over my chest and tap my foot on the floor. I’ll just wait him out, see how long he wants to play this game, because I’ve got all night.
Five
Slade
Karma—I’m holding it in my hand, twirling it through my fingers. Okay, okay, maybe it’s not exactly karma, but it feels like a sweet victory to me. The blonde chick standing in front of me in all her body-hugging black dress and red-cowboy-boot glory thought she was too fucking cool when she snubbed me earlier, but now I’ve got her right where I want her. Well, maybe not exactly where I want her, but it’ll have to do for now. Her arms are folded across her chest, pushing her perfect tits up and giving me a much-appreciated look at her cleavage. Pale skin peeks out at me as she hugs herself tightly. Her full lips are pursed, her cheeks are flushed, and she smells like fucking heaven.
I chuckle. “If you think I look twelve, you haven’t been around a real man in a long time.” She gives me another eye roll, and I can’t help but laugh again. She’s so fucking cute.
She unfolds her arms and moves toward me until only inches separate us. Fuck, I was right, she does smell like heaven. Her emerald green eyes meet mine as she sucks on her bottom lip. Suddenly the item of hers that I’m holding on to so tightly becomes less important. My dick jumps around behind my zipper and I need to adjust myself, but I can’t because I’m too caught up in this crazy moment we’re having.
“You’re right.” She blinks a couple of times before giving me a seductive half-smile. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve been around a real man.” She tucks her purse under her arm then presses her hands against my chest. My body jerks at the sensation of her touch.
She takes a few steps, walking us away from the crowded room and into a narrow, dimly lit hallway. My heart races as she rises to her toes and her hands slide to my shoulders. Her breath is warm on my neck, and my cock swells. I forget about where we are and how we got here because I’m completely consumed with her.
“Show me what it’s like to be around a real man,” she whispers near my ear. I’m hot and speechless, and all I can think about is being inside her. I open my mouth to say something—anything—but nothing comes out. Pull your shit together, Slade. Usually, I’m witty and charming, and that combination has never failed me before. For some reason, right now all I want to do is drop to my knees and beg this chick to keep touching me.
She moves her right hand from my shoulder, slowly gliding it over my chest with her soft touch. I laugh—a nervous laugh, one that’s weird and unfamiliar even to me, but thank fuck she doesn’t know that.
“I’ll show you whatever you want,” I say as her hand travels lower, reaching the waistband of my jeans. I look away for a second to regroup, and when I bring my head back to center, she’s looking up at me with so much heat in her eyes. My gaze flits from her emerald green globes to her full red lips. Holy fuck, what the hell is this chick doing to me?
“Hmmm . . .” she hums, her fingers toying with the button of my jeans.
I lower my head to bring my mouth just inches away from hers. “What do you want?” I whisper, the words brushing her lips.
Her eyes widen and she laughs. “My fucking birth control pills, you jerk!” She snags the small round case from my hand.
“What the hell?” I ask as she quickly steps away from me.
“You’re an asshole,” she spits out, shoving the pill case inside her purse.