Owen frowned. “But how do I know this is even your real name or address? And even if it is, what if it’s too late by the time I realize Jake’s missing?”
I sighed. “Then you’ll know where to send the cops to find his body. Look, this isn’t a perfect system. But it’s something. Whether or not you believe it, I reallyamHarper Drummond, and thisismy real address. If you want to take a picture of Corey’s license, too, as an added precaution, it’s fine with me.”
“Harper.” Jake laid a hand on my arm. “It’s fine. This is a good idea. Here you go, Corey.”
I stood aside as Corey aimed her phone at Jake’s ID and Owen did the same with mine. The girl sitting at the table watched us with growing disbelief. “You guys are serious? This is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen.”
Sparing her a glance, I tucked my license back into my pocket. “Look, honey. I get that you like the illusion of being able to say that you were drunk when you go home with a man you’ve just met. You want to be able to pretend it isn’t a decision you make. If you need to have that plausible deniability in order to sleep at night, great. Live the lie. But I’d rather own my choices and be smart about what I do.”
She stood up, lifting her drink from the table. “Bitch. I don’t need to listen to this.” So saying, she stalked off, not even glancing backward at Owen, who gave a long and heavy exhale of breath.
“I think you just cost me my date tonight.”
I grinned at him. “I’d say I’m sorry, but honestly, dude, if she’s the kind of girl you’re interested in, that’s sort of sad. This place is rocking. There’s got to be someone else more your type here.” I tilted my head. “Have you met my friend Corey?”
“Nice and subtle there, Harper.” Corey shook her head.
“Hey, just saying. You’re here, he’s here ... I’m happy to snap a pic of his license before Jake and I leave.” I flipped my hand over and wiggled my fingers. “Turnabout’s fair play and all that.”
Jake snagged my hand and twined his fingers with mine. “I think we should get going now and let Owen and Corey figure out their own, uh, situation.” He sketched a wave at his friend. “See you tomorrow, unless of course Harper ties me up and keeps me as her sex slave. In which case, don’t call me, I’ll call you.”
I pasted on my sweetest smile. “You never can tell.” I kissed Corey’s cheek. “See you at work tomorrow, chick. If you end up hooking up, send me the license pic.”
“Will do. Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she called as Jake and I began to walk away.
“No promises!” My saucy parting shot made her laugh, which had been my intent.
When Jake and I stepped outside, the sudden quiet in the parking lot, a contrast to the noise inside the bar, made my ears ring. He glanced down at me.
“Did you drive?”
I shook my head. “No, Corey and I took a cab over. How about you?”
“Owen and I called RideIt.” He squinted. “Uh, do you live alone?”
“I do.” I tightened my grip on his hand. “Do you live on post?”
“Yeah, in the barracks. So that narrows the choice of where we can go.” He used the hand not holding mine to pull out his phone. “I’ll get us a ride. Give me your address.”
I spelled out the name of my street and the unit number, watching as he tapped it into the app.
“Okay. A car is on its way.” He cleared his throat. “You seem to have this down to a science. I assume you do it pretty often?”
A tiny fizzle of uncomfortable guilt made me frown. “Not as often as I’d like, actually. Work keeps me too busy three out of four weekends a month, and most of the time, all I want to do during my very infrequent down time is sleep.” I hesitated before going on. “But yes. When I have the opportunity and energy, I don’t have any problem with finding someone who’s willing to fuck me senseless and spending the night with him. Or part of the night, as the case may be.”
“Hey, no judgement. I was just curious.” He held up his hand. “Like you said to the girl in there ... I’m used to chicks who want to play coy and pretend they’re not interested in the same thing I am, until they can find an excuse to admit otherwise. It’s refreshing to meet someone who doesn’t roll that way.”
“Does it bother you to take out the mystique?” I stared into the darkness. “I’ve run across guys who tell me that the give and take, the will-she-or-won’t-she uncertainty is part of the foreplay. A couple have told me that I’m too matter of fact about it.”
In the glow of the neon sign, I saw his mouth curve into a smile. “The only foreplay I’m interested in takes place when you’re under me, naked and screaming.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “When my mouth is on your pussy and I’m pinching your nipples. So for me, a sure thing doesn’t take away the allure. It gets us to where we both want to be ... only faster.”
My heartbeat had sped up as he spoke, and my throat was suddenly dry. A car slowed to a stop in front of us, and the driver opened the window.
“Did you ask for a ride? I’m Bart from RideIt, picking up ...” He paused. “Jake?”
“That’s us.” Jake opened the back door and stood aside to let me climb in first. As he took the seat next to me, I leaned forward to speak to the driver.
“How fast can you get us to my place?”
