“Count us in. Where did you have in mind?”
“There was a bar we passed on our way here that I wanted to try out…” I roll my eyes with a smile as I leave Paige to make the plans. Not that I will admit it out loud, but she was right. Tonight is exactly what I needed to get me out of moping around my condo and feeling sorry for myself.
Turning to pack up my chair, I try to ignore the weight of Dom’s stare on my back. I’m not ready to face him, what am I supposed to say? Am I even supposed to say anything? I’ve never been in this position before. Is there a proper way to handle kissing someone you just met?
I might not know much, but I do know that asking twenty questions about if that kiss meant anything or not would be a sure-fire way to scare him off. No, I saw enough guys in college complaining over clingy girls. It’s best to just act like it didn’t happen.
Hoisting the strap of my chair bag onto my shoulder, I risk a glance toward Dom, I’m caught off guard by the intensity in his eyes as he watches me. His gaze doesn’t waiver as I catch him staring. Instead, he flashes me a wide, confident grin that has me thinking he wants more of that kiss.
Don’t be ridiculous. It was just a kiss. You’re projecting your own emotions into one look from an attractive man.
Dom’s smile falls slightly as he raises a brow, the question shining in his expression has me feeling as if he heard my inner monologue and doesn’t quite agree.
Stop fucking projecting Lilly.
I smile brightly back at Dom, hoping to portray a look that says, “what just happened is totally normal” and turn back to link arms with Paige. Another drink is exactly what I need. The two seltzers I had throughout the game were enough to maintain the buzz, but it definitely was not enough to blame kissing a stranger on the alcohol.
“Enough talking, Paige, either lead the way to more drinks or else I’m taking charge and we will end up back at my place in sweatpants with pizza and my drink of choice.” I wink at her as she groans.
“No. Just no. You’re the only person I know who could drink tequila like it’s fucking water. We’re getting at least one proper drink, made by a bartender, before I allow you to go crawling back to your one true love.” She meets Dom with a straight glare. “I swear she will never love anyone, including me, more than she loves tequila.”
I shrug my shoulders and smile innocently at them both. “What can I say, I don’t sleep alone when Patron is takin’ me home.”
It shocks the hell out of me when Dom is the one who responds.
“No one loves like tequila does.” His eyes dance with mirth as he watches me.
“Oh god. There’s two of them.” Garrett gasps as he turns to Paige with a horrified expression on his face. “What did we do?”
I don’t hear what Paige responds with, I’m too busy smiling up at Dom.
“You like Miranda Lambert?” His smile falls slightly, turning almost sad.
“My sister used to love blasting her music in the mornings when she got ready for school, some of the songs have apparently stuck with me.”
“Your sister has good taste in music.” His smile falls completely as he clears his throat and finally looks away.
“Yeah.” Dom shakes his head, almost like he’s trying to shake away his thoughts before he turns back and reaches to take the chair from my shoulder.
“Who’s leading the way?” He speaks loud enough for everyone to hear, causing Paige to throw her hand up and take off, expecting us to follow.
Two hours later, after we finish our first round of drinks and my clothes have finally dried from the rain, I notice the dart board machines at the back of the bar. Excitement takes over as I turn to Paige, barely restraining myself as I wait for her to finish her conversation with Garrett. Dominik chuckles next to me, causing me to whip around and face him instead.
“What’s got you all excited?”
“That!” I grab his shoulder, turning him as I point to the dart boards. Between my love for darts and the alcohol coursing through me, the excitement has definitely turned up a couple notches more than normal. Dominik turns back to me, one eyebrow raised in a silent question. I don’t even think twice as I grab his hand and drag him along with me as I explain.
“Paige and I used to destroy everyone in college on dart nights.” I shoot an innocent smile up at him as I stop next to a small, high-top table that sits in front of the dart boards.
He smirks at me, tugging my hand to pull me close, using his free hand to play with the ends of my braid before moving it off my shoulder.
“So, you wanna play?” I’m nodding before he finishes his question, still smiling up at him as I hear Paige squeal loudly from across the bar. I don’t have to look to know that she is bee-lining her way over.
“Only if you and Gare-Bear think you can handle being beaten by us.”
Dominik chuckles as he leans forward to whisper in my ear.
“I could handle anything you throw at me.” The hair on my neck rises and a shiver courses through my body as he slowly pulls away. Clearing my throat, I turn to watch Paige make her way over as I take a moment to calm my racing heart. Having finished my third drink of the night a few moments ago, I decide that my next drink should definitely be water. Not because I’m drunk, but because this man is making every inch of my body heat up in ways I never thought possible and adding more alcohol won’t help.
