“Here you go.”
I jump, the unexpected voice breaking whatever voodoo Olly’s eyes are weaving on me.
I turn to find a fresh drink and Blake’s smiling face. “You don’t get out much, do you?”
I lift the new glass to my lips to hide my warming cheeks. “I’m kind of a book nerd.”
Blake rests his elbows on the bar, his smile growing. “I like books.”
I return his smile, curious about his attention. “Are you flirting with me?”
His eyes widen in surprise. “Uh… yes.”
I hold one finger up to signal I need a second, pull my phone out of my pocket, and unlock it. Olly’s penis stands erect on my screen in all its orgasmic glory.
I blush, not the soft peachy kind but full-on tomato red, my skin heating everywhere from the tips of my ears to between my thighs.
Note to self: Exit out of sexy photos after memorizing every pixel.
“Everything okay?” Blake asks.
“Yup.” I quickly flick the image away and open up the notes app. “Just, ah, wondering… what’s your best pickup line? Is there one that gets you laid more than the others?”
Blake slowly stands, looking toward the other end of the bar.
“What do you wear when trying to pick someone up? Do you think that impacts how successful your line delivery is?”
“I see some customers getting restless.” Blake walks in the opposite direction from me, faster than what would be considered safe with a wall of glass bottles so close.
“What was that?”
I jump again and turn to find Olly standing behind me with awhat-the-fucklook on his face.
“Research?”
“Jesus, Lacey. Don’t let the guy know that.” He gives my phone a pointed look.
“I told you I have no clue what I’m doing.”
Two drinks and a bundle of nerves make my voice louder, and my arms weave like a marionette’s, moving in time with my mouth. “I need this plot outline by the end of the week. How am I supposed to seduce my professor when I terrify the bartender?”
And I keep picturing myself in those photos…
Olly pulls out his wallet and throws some cash on the bar. “Let’s go.”
“Home?” I squeak. “But I’ve barely watched you in action. I need to research.”
The corner of Olly’s mouth twitches. “Oh, we’re still going to research?”
My stomach knots so tight I’m not sure it will ever unravel. “How?”
His eyes darken and drop on my mouth. “One-on-one, on my couch.”
My mouth is dry, my tongue a useless floppy muscle, unable to form words. Is he talking about sex?
Olly’s chuckle is deep, dry, and crackling with sexual energy. “Relax, Lovely Lacey. We can change into pj’s, eat some greasy food, and I’ll talk you through how to seduce your professor like a good friend.”
Because going home with the guy whose dick pic is flashing on repeat in my mind is precisely what I should be doing if I want to not ruin my friendship…
