“And we’re going to have a word with Max again to make sure he looks after you.”
He’ll look after me more than you can imagine.Zoe’s breath caught in her throat as she remembered last night. Even if it were only half as good, it would still be fun, and worth seeing him again. Her expectations rose, her body heating up with the thoughts of Max. She quickly pushed them away.It will happen in real life soon enough.
“You guys are worse than my parents.”
“Yeah, but there are things you can tell us that you can’t tell your parents, which is why we’re looking out for you.”
Zoe laughed. She had to admit that while she felt safe with Max, it was good to have friends like Ellie and Billie.
“First beer on me,” said Ellie.
Zoe went to open her mouth to say she didn’t have time but Billie interrupted.
“And you do have time. Max will be inside drinking, and if he really wants you, he’ll wait until we say you can go.” Billie winked.
But I don’t want to wait. Zoe sighed. She was going to have to.
Max only had a sip or two of his first beer. He wanted to drain it to settle his nerves of seeing Zoe again.Get a grip. He was never this unsettled before seeing a woman before.What am I doing?
“Where’s that second beer?” asked Sam, he leant on Max’s shoulder.
“Coming.”
“And why are you not drinking?”
“Oh, I’ll catch up.” He shook Sam away and went and ordered another beer. Drinking was the last thing on his mind, as much as he wanted to. It would take the edge off his nerves, or anticipation. His thoughts had been swinging between,will she come, won’t she, and will I still think she’s sexy hot?Stupid thoughts that just wouldn’t go away. But he didn’t want to be beer affected when with Zoe. He wanted his senses alert, ready for the enjoyment ahead.
He left his unfinished beer, and took the two freshly poured pints back to Sam, pushing through the largely dominated male crowd in the pub.
“Here you go, beer number two.”
“And the start of a high number to come.” Sam took the beer and clinked glasses with Max’s. “Bottoms up.”
Max resisted the urge to down the beer. He was too old for such behaviour anyway. He did take a big gulp. The cold amber liquid eased the burning desires within him which had been ramping up all day in anticipation of seeing Zoe again.
Max looked up from his beer and saw her walking into the bar with her two friends. His body tensed. She was even hotter today. A tight skirt, loose top, straight hair, she looked like she’d just come from some photoshoot for a magazine. But he also noticed something else. She was young.What the hell would she want with someone like me?
She smiled at him. A bolt of desire ripped through him. Why bother with a small detail of age. She was old enough, she matched him, and she turned him on.
He held his breath as she walked up to him. “I’m looking forward to spending some more time with you.” She winked, ran her hand down his arm, then walked away.
Fuck. Every bit of his body felt like it was flamed with desire and she’d just set him on a slow burn. He watched her walk away, her arse firm and full in the short skirt. Fuck, he wanted to squeeze it. He went to follow her then caught a glare from her two friends. He stopped short.
“We’re having a drink with her first,” said Billie.
“Then maybe we’ll let her go with you, but you know your reputation and all,” said Ellie.
Max swallowed hard. He was a grumpy old man, a prick, and he was well aware of some of the things the women he’d been with had spread around. His ex had told him that was what he was. He had a farm to manage in his mid-twenties, and his stress was high, he’d turned to women for a release, and somehow it had backfired. But not so with Zoe.
“Hey, let me get you a drink.” Sam tapped him on the shoulder. “You better drink up.”
“In good time,” answered Max. He turned away from the women, from Zoe. He didn’t like having to wait for a woman to come to him, not after what was promised. His temper boiled under the surface, just a little.It will be worth the wait,he reminded himself.
He downed his beer. “I’m ready.” He handed his empty glass to Sam. “Hit me up.” He couldn’t keep in control without a bit of amber liquid help, not with Zoe in the same room. There was no doubt now that she was going to come to him, and they’ll continue from last night. But for now, he had to wait.
He silenced a groan. It was the last thing he wanted to do. He was going to pass the time with his mates.Maybe I won’t be ready when she comes to me?But he knew damn well he was ready now, and no matter how long she made him wait, he wanted her and would say yes.
“I think we’ve made him wait long enough,” said Zoe. She barely touched her beer. Her friends decided she had to get used to the taste if she was going with a country boy, even if it was only a fling-sex-type thing. They’d ignored her protests. And she was forced to cool her desires with a sip of cool beer, and not glance across to room to where Max was standing drinking with his mates. He didn’t appear happy.
