Ally grins in approval. “I like this new Emily.”
We navigate our way to a bar, skipping the line and going straight to the door.
A figure stands guard—black cotton stretches tightly around his chest, solid muscles bunching beneath. Lines of ink decorate the exposed skin of each arm. He smiles when he sees Ally coming and opens the door. “Looking fine tonight, Ally.”
He trails an appreciative glance down my body. “Who’s your friend?”
“Emily. Cole,” Ally leans closer to Cole with a devious look aimed at me, “Emily’s looking for company tonight. Come find us. Soon.”
My bottom lip drops, and the sting of a blush pinches my cheeks.
Cole winks at me, a promise behind his smile. He steps aside as Ally guides us through the open doorway.
“You can’t say stuff like that,” I whisper-shout as the music level increases with every step we take through the club.
Ally rolls her eyes. “Nothing wrong with being up front about what you want.”
Her comment hits me hard. She’s right. If I had been up front with myself, I would have admitted that I haven’t been happy with Kyle for a long time, and I would have kicked him to the curb sooner.
But if I tell Liam what I want… that might not end so well.
I follow Ally to the bar and order two drinks while she checks her phone.
Two martini glasses slide toward us minutes later. A rim of green salt outlines a fluorescent purple liquid.
“Here’s to a cock-induced orgasm,” Ally cheers.
I laugh, but it doesn’t stop the nerves twisting me up in knots on the inside. I’ve only ever slept with guys I was in a relationship with. Can I really go home with a stranger?
Cole's eyes find mine through the crowd, and a slow grin curls his lips.
That was quick.
Is it because he really wants to get to know me or because Ally gave away just how easy it will be to take me home tonight?
If he’s going to give me what I need, it doesn’t matter.
He moves toward me, his gaze raking down my body, slowly and deliberately.
Deep breaths, Emily. I force my eyes to trace a similar, confident path down Cole’s body. Solid muscles bunch beneath the tight black T-shirt, and jeans cling to his thighs.
“Cole.” Ally smiles as he reaches our table. “You remember Emily?”
Cole stands close enough that his thigh brushes my knees. The move is bold and unexpected, his intentions for the night obvious. “Hello, Emily.”
“Hi.”
“Can I buy you a drink?”
He’s sexy and confident, but there’s no spark of desire, nothing like what I left in my apartment.
Ally quickly swallows what’s left in her glass and hands it to Cole with a jiggle, ice clinking on the glass. “Yes, please.”
Cole grins at her eagerness but looks to me for my response. He’s gorgeous and confident, and based on what I see, one night with him could potentially result in multiple toe curls.
But he isn’t Liam.
You can’t think like that, Emily. Liam is at home rehearsing his friends-forever speech, and you need to prove to yourself that Kyle is wrong.
