“What’re you drinking?” I asked, playing the part. I knew what I wanted to drink—her . . . all of her, take her mouth and suckle the tender part of her bottom lip.
She tilted her head back, the light from the moon catching the blue in her irises. As her eyes turned lustful, giving me permission, I closed the gap between us, about to quench the desire inside of me.
Then the car jerked to a stop, and I flew backward against the seat, which broke the tension between us. Moment gone.
I blinked a couple of times like I’d been shocked by the impact. She let out a nervous laugh.
“Is that enough body language for you?” I rubbed my neck and took a huge breath and blew it out slowly.
She nodded as she averted her eyes and stared out her window. “Perfect.”
“We’re here,” I said, observing our surroundings.
I paid our cab driver, stepped out, and extended my hand to assist her.
When she placed her hand in mine, heat spread through my fingers, but she pulled away and glanced at her watch, the round gold dial spanning her whole wrist.
“He’ll be there now. I just hope to God this isn’t another waste of a Saturday night.”
I felt a sudden sourness in the back of my throat as I remembered our arrangement.
She extended her fist and gave me the cutest smile ever. “We got this, right?”
“Yeah, we got this.” My fist connected with hers in some sort of pact.
It was funny, because I had no idea how I’d gotten pulled into this, when I really wasn’t getting anything in return. I could get my own women just fine. But I sensed Kendy always had a way of getting people to agree with her plans. This girl entertained me, for sure. Before I knew it, I was saying yes to her crazy ideas.
The next second, she surprised me again by reaching for my hand. Her eyes danced with excitement as she squeezed it. “I’m so excited. I just have this feeling, like tonight is my night.”
I smiled at her, all the while thinking, This guy—this Stiff—better not be a dick.
***
The thunderous music played on the speakers as the bass pounded in my ears. I walked straight past Stiff and his friends and sat down right where we’d be seen. After I ordered a beer, my eyes focused on the group of guys in front of me laughing. Stiff already had a blonde practically sitting on his lap. She was wearing a black fitted tee with ‘The Bartlett’ across her chest. My jaw tightened at the sight. Immediately, I wanted to rush outside and intercept Kendy before she saw this scene, to protect her in some way.
When the blonde stood, he slapped her ass. “I want your fine self back here when you’re done with your shift,” Stiff yelled at her as she threw him a flirty smile before turning to walk away.
His friends gawked at a group of ladies next to them. Then Stiff, the bravest of them all, strolled over and chatted up his next victim, the most attractive of the three. Tonight, he was in blue jeans and a fitted, striped button down. It looked multi-colored under the dim lights of the club.
Whatever he said to the woman was working as she placed her hand in his, most likely introducing herself. My insides heated with irritation. Last weekend, he’d been with another woman, and tonight, here he was. Again.
Screw. This.
This shithead.
There must be some sort of appeal with the unattainable. I could see Kendy always being up for a challenge. He was nowhere near settling down material. I had no clue why she thought he was.
The redhead stood and followed him to the bar, and I fisted my hands at my sides. I was about to walk outside and snap some sense into Kendy, but she strolled through the double doors.
Kendy stood tall, her head high with an air of confidence that everyone took note of. All of Stiff’s friends turned to check her out as she sashayed across the room and sat two stools away from me.
Even though tonight I was playing a part, if she were a stranger to me, I’d be checking her out as soon as she stepped into this bar.
She crossed her legs, which hitched up her skirt, revealing more of her perfect thigh. When her eyes caught mine, she threw me a flirty smile, one she was used to throwing. But then I watched her eyes skitter across the room in search of Stiff. I knew when she found him, because her smile faltered. She blinked a couple times, unable to hide her disappointment.
I got up and charged her way. I no longer gave a shit that I was supposed to wait five minutes. I needed to see that smile again. “Hey, gorgeous. Someone sitting here?” Those had been the exact words we’d practiced at the park.
It was comical, because we’d had to rehearse it multiple times until she stopped laughing. I had used every accent I knew just to hear her crack up.
Kendy’s laughter was like an epidemic. It could spread across a room, or over a crowd like wildfire. It was high-pitched, cute, and irresistible. Kind of like a child giggling. And whenever she got into her fits, she looked younger, lighter, and I let her energy wash over me.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I repeated when she didn’t respond.
Her eyes were still on Stiff.
My chest tightened at the look in her eyes. Her smile was fake, forced, but I didn’t even give her a chance to respond as I plopped down next to her. “You’re the hottest girl in here, and I’d like to buy you a drink.”
“Sure. I’ll just have a gin and tonic.” Her voice was resigned, sad even.
I got the bartender’s attention and ordered her beverage when her eyes flickered back to Stiff, watching as he sweet-talked the redhead, who was obviously taking the bait.
I placed my hand on Kendy’s forearm, trying to break her from her trance.
“Hey, so let’s cut to the chase. Do you want to go to my place, or would you rather go to yours?” I joked, winking at her.
I was rewarded with a small smile, which kept me going. “Or we can just go to the back, the bathroom maybe? You’re just so damn hot I might not be able to make it home.”
“You’re too funny,” she droned, her small smile widening just a tad.
The bartender set her drink on the counter, and I threw my money on the bar and a couple dollars for the tip.
I handed her the glass and angled toward her. “Don’t let Stiff ruin your night. We’re still going to have fun.”
I wished I hadn’t mentioned his nickname, because her eyes flipped back to him. Now, he was making his way back to his group of friends with the redhead.
They were closer to us, but Stiff’s eyes didn’t make it our way, because he was preoccupied with the woman I was sure he was trying to bed.
“Hey, is your dad a terrorist?” I teased, pumping out my cheesy one-liners.
Her eyebrows pulled in. “What?” She finally gave me her attention.
“Because he made the bomb.” I tried to maintain composure and keep my voice level.
A flash of humor crossed her face, making this man desperate for another dose. “Is that a space dress?” I paused for dramatic effect. “Because your body is out of this world.”
Her laughter was contagious, which had me grinning like a crazy person. Still, I kept going. “My love for you is like diarrhea. I just can’t keep it in.”
“Stop,” she wheezed, slapping the bar. “Aren’t you the comedian?” Her laughter was a full-hearted sound, rippling through the room.
I chuckled along with her. “Are you a library book? Because I’d like to check you out.”
She pinched my arm playfully and brought her hand up to stifle her giggles. “Please, I can’t take anymore,” she cracked up, but then her body stiffened. Her hand flew to my forearm as her eyes widened. “Shit, he’s looking our way.”
When I peered over her head, the group of girls had disappeared and Stiff had indeed zoned in on Kendy.
“Stop staring,” she squealed. “Quick, lean into me; say something in my ear.”
I did as I was told, though her proximity was unnerving. Being this close to her, I had a sudden urge to lick the sensitive spot right below her ear. “What do you want me to say?”