Addy
“I’ll have a Cosmo, please,” I say to Tony, the bartender at the Cellar Bar. It’s one thing to know your worth is defined by your IQ. But it’s entirely different to hear your parents admit it so freely.
Having not slept well, I showered and packed my things, hoping the drive back to Sycamore Mountain would change my sour mood. It wasn’t uncommon to feel glum after spending time with my family, but this dismal state seeped into my very core. Once home, I’d tried going for a run and doing yoga to recenter myself. After they failed, I consulted Ben and Jerry. Maybe a few Cosmos can drown my sorrows when even ice cream can’t fix my mood.
I didn’t feel up to a loud, raucous evening at Pour Decisions. I just want a few drinks in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere so I can get a good night’s-
“Hi. This seat taken?”
Ugh. Spoke toosoon.
Turning to advise my new companion I’d prefer to drink alone this evening, my mouth goes dry as I connect with the ocean-blue orbs of Trevor Laurence. I’m normally not at a loss for words with anyone. But given my current state and our recent interactions, it’s probably best I not say anything.
Bringing my attention back to my cocktail, I attempt to ignore him and raise my glass to my lips when I feel a warm, muscular hand caress my cheek and jaw before rotating my head back in his direction. My cheek is sizzling from the contact.
“Addison. I’m sorry about how I behaved the other night.”
“Are you?” It takes effort not to roll my eyes at him.
“Yes. I’ve been surly with you from the start, and you didn’t deserve that.”
“At least you admit it.” I need to just let this thing with Trevor go. He’s made it clear he has no intention of giving me what I’m looking for. His offer of one night still stings. But that’s on him. I deserve better, and he knows it. At least he apologized.
“Truce?” he asks, his hand held out for me. My eyes are immediately drawn to the tattoos swirling under the sleeve of his shirt. They’re practically hypnotic. Is it limited to his forearm, or do they travel all the way- “Addison?”
His voice jolts me from my trance. “Oh. Sure.” Well, that didn’t last long. So much for letting this attraction to him go.Get it together, Addy.
“What’s the matter, cupcake? You don’t seem like yourself.”
“I just had a tough weekend. People can be really disappointing.”
“People or a man?” he asks cautiously.
I can’t help but smile, reflecting on my evening with James. “No, the man wasn’t the disappointing part.” A barely detectable wince crosses his face. A thought comes to mind, and I look about the small space, coming up short. “Are you here with someone?”
“No. Just needed a drink,” he says, leaning in slightly.
“Ah.” I nod. The warm hand from earlier has now moved to the small of my back. Tipping my drink in his direction as he receives his glass of scotch, I offer a silent toast.
“Are you seeing him again?” he asks as if he’s talking to the amber liquid.
“Who?”
“The man from this weekend.”
“No, he’s moving to Hilton Head.” Glancing in his direction, he’s still staring into the glass as if it’s sending him a message. “And he’s old enough to be my grandfather.” Not sure why I feel the need to clarify.
Trevor flashes a stunning smile in response, sitting taller as he moves closer. I can feel his warm breath hit the shell of my ear before his words fully register. “I want to take you home and fuck you until the only person you’re thinking about is me.”
A gasp escapes before I can stop it. My eyes close, and I feel my body tremble at the bold statement.
“Disappointing will not be a word you’ll use afterward.”
I need to clear my head for a moment. I want this. The flutter in my belly is traveling further south with each saucy word out of his mouth. But I need to think with my head and not my body. His words from the other night come back to assault me. “One night, cupcake. That’s it. If this is what you want, I’ll give you one night.”
“I told you, Trevor. I’m not interested in a one-and-done.”
“With you, cupcake, I don’t think that’s possible.”
