The bartender slid two bottles across to us, a wedge of lime stuck into each. I watched as Jake took the limes between the fingers of both hands, squeezed the juice into the beer, stuffed the rinds into the bottles and handed me one.
“Cheers.” He slanted the neck of his beer toward me.
“To new friends.” I clinked against his. “And ... to the beginning of a fun night?”
A slow smile spread over his lips. “Here’s hoping.”
We both chugged the beer, but I didn’t miss the way Jake’s eyes stayed on me, taking in the touch of my lips to the bottle and the movement of my throat as I swallowed. Consequently, I might have played it up just a tad, caressing the neck of the bottle with my fingers and letting my tongue dart out into the opening. I watched his pupils dilate and had to hide a triumphant smile. It was time to make my move.
I rose onto my toes so that I could whisper into his ear. My boobs pressed into him, and I felt my nipples harden into points as they brushed the solid plane of his chest.
“I like to be honest. I don’t play games. I came here tonight looking for someone who wants the same thing I do: one night, no strings, no commitment ... just sex. I’m only after one night of a good time. If that works for you, I’m all in favor of not wasting any more time. If it doesn’t, then I’ll say thanks for the beer, and I’ll move on.”
Faint surprise gleamed in his dark eyes. “Direct, aren’t you? Cutting right to the chase?”
I lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I don’t see the point in being any other way. Why should I pretend to be something or someone I’m not? I don’t do the whole romance or relationship deal. I work in a high-pressure field, and sometimes I need to let off steam. I’ve found the best way to do that is with lots of really good sex.” One side of my mouth curved up. “I’ve been told that I can give a guy an amazing time, if that helps you make your decision.”
“Oh, sugar, my mind’s already made up.” Jake’s hand was on my rib cage now, and his fingers teased the underside of my breast. “I’m in. I came here tonight with the same goal in mind. But I’ll be honest—usually, I have to do a little more to talk a girl around to my way of thinking. Or I have to wait a while to find one who’s on the same page as I am. You’re a pleasant surprise.”
“I’ve heard that before, too.” I winked. “So my suggestion is that we finish our beers and get out of here.” I took another pull from the bottle and ran my thumb around my lips. “Oh, but I need to find my friend first. I hope you don’t mind, but I have a safety procedure.”
His eyebrows shot up. “A safety procedure? Sounds like a fire drill.”
I laughed. “Kind of does. The thing is, while I’m all for meeting new people, I’m not stupid. I don’t intend to end up a statistic, or the victim-of-the-week on some cheesy crime drama. My friend Corey and I have worked out a system.” I finished the beer and set the bottle on the bar. “Did you come with anyone tonight?”
He nodded. “My friend Owen is ...” His eyes scanned the area. “Over at that table, trying to get the girl with him to see things like he does.”
“Good. This way, we both have safeguards.” I winked at Jake. “Because you know, I could be the serial killer in this scenario.Youcould be the victim-of-the-week.”
His eyes smoldered. “Honey, I have a feeling that I’d go down with a smile on my face.”
“I promise that you would.” I pointed to the table Jake had indicated. “Give me a minute to find Corey, and I’ll meet you over by your buddy.”
“I’ll be there.”
A few minutes later, I’d located my friend back on the dance floor, by herself. Slinging an arm around her neck, I leaned in to talk to her.
“I met someone. Can you come check him out for me?”
She nodded and followed me away from the dancers. “Lucky you. The dude who bought me a drink was a loser. He wanted to talk about politics and poetry and shit.” She rolled her eyes. “Why can’t I ever find the men who just want to fuck?”
A woman passing us at that moment overheard and stopped in her tracks, frowning at Corey, who giggled.
“Maybe I said that just a little too loud?”
“It’s possible.” I tugged her arm. “Over here.”
Jake was leaning against an empty chair at the table, and his friend was frowning. I wondered if he was pissed that we were interrupting his campaign to get into the pants of the brunette who was nursing some kind of girly drink.
“Corey, this is Jake. Jake, my friend Corey.” With a smile, I offered my hand to the other man. “Hi, I’m Harper.”
With faint surprise on his face, he shook my hand. “Owen.”
“Awesome. Nice to meet you. Jake, can you take out your driver’s license, please?” I reached into my pocket and produced my own ID. “Owen, if you would, take a picture of mine.”
His mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. This way, you have a record of my name and address. If your friend here doesn’t show up tomorrow, you can tell the authorities that he was last seen with me.” I pointed to Corey. “And Corey will do the same with Jake’s info.”
