I averted my eyes. "Ah, yeah, sorry. I had an early start the next day."
"You haven't called me," she pushed.
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Been busy."
I hated thinking about that night. It had started out with rousing banter and fun before slowly disappearing into brooding irritation. I went from drinking my chest ache away and flirtingwith Lissa, to searing rage and jealousy whenever Logan opened his mouth.
After Lissa's shift ended, I had invited her to join our table, determined to replace the myriad of explicit images Logan's words invoked with new memories of a buxom, blonde bartender.
Harry had given up his seat to her, and I’d yanked it closer. I needed another woman's skin and scent to replace the sensory craving that wouldn't abate.
We flirted throughout the night. I stroked her hand while she murmured dirty things in my ear, promises of what was to come later that night. I had my arm around her shoulder, caressing her bare skin while she rubbed my thigh in a smooth up-and-down motion—her hand moving closer to my dormant cock each time. I didn't let it deter me. Just because that bubble of desire refused to rise in that moment, didn't mean I wouldn't enjoy the act once I had her naked.
However, as the night wore on and I sank more beers, I realized that the likelihood I would fuck Lissa that night was slim to none.
And it wasn't because I was afraid of having whiskey dick. I just...couldn't.
Logan, the fucker, had pushed his dinner plans back since he was"having too much fun with us."The more he drank, the more pretentious he became. It also didn't help that I was directly across from him, so whenever I lifted my eyes, his pompous face was all I saw. And no matter how hard I tried to tune him out, his voice seemed to rise above us, determined to interject his opinion on any nonsensical topic. Or maybe my ear was sensitive in case he brought up the reason for my surly mood.
Despite my best attempts, images of Logan and Maria plagued me throughout the night. I envisioned her face flushed witharousal, her hands and mouth seeking, her back bowed in ecstasy...and then my eyes would fall on Logan, and the cycle of envy would start up again. How could she sleep with this douche? He was smarmy and braggy, and I'd bet my left nut he was selfish in bed.Thiswas who she was clingy with? Andherejectedherintent for a relationship?
Just like you did.
Lissa's hand stroking my thigh no longer distracted me. Even her whispered suggestion for a blow job in the back office failed to tempt me. My head had been all over the place. So, when Lissa was busy chatting with a colleague at the bar, I took the cowardly option and snuck out. I didn't care if I ever saw the pretty bartender again. I just needed to leave.
I knew my anger stemmed from jealousy, and perhaps misplaced anger and confusion. Maria wanted a serious relationship, so how long did she hang onto Logan, waiting for him to commit? Did he lead her on? Was he truthful that she was clingy? Did it even matter anymore?
I needed Maria out of my head, but fucking Lissa was not the way. I wasn't that much of an asshole.
Now, though? A couple of weeks had passed, and I was back in control. I never thought of Maria. Much. And Logan no longer had me seeing red.
As long as I never saw him again.
I was ready. Not to mention horny. And lucky me, the perfect solution landed on my lap.
I indicated to the tray. "Have a shot."
Lissa flicked me a sultry grin, her hand grazing my shoulder again. "Thank you." She wagged her finger at me. "Don't go disappearing on me again."
I returned her grin before grabbing a salt shaker and dabbing a little on the back of my thumb. I lifted it toward her lips. Her eyes darkened in desire. "Not a chance."
I meant it this time.
Lissa's tongue flicked out to slowly lick the salt off the back of my hand. She took her time with it, too, making sure she scooped up all remnants with a slow, seductive swirl. I felt a small flame of desire light my stomach. It wasn't the raging inferno I was expecting, but I couldn't deny that I was looking forward to what else she could do with that tongue.
Keeping her eyes on mine, Lissa picked up a shot and downed it in one smooth gulp. No sputtering or coughing for her. As she sucked on the lemon wedge, her eyes watered, and I wondered if they would do the same, choking on my dick with her dark strands twisted in my hands.
Fuck.Blonde. Blonde strands.
As the night wore on, the atmosphere at The Homestead grew rowdier and busier. A live band set up and started playing cover songs ofCCR. Out-of-towners squeezed into available booths and took turns twirling on the dance floor. Locals joined tables of folks they knew, including ours. I enjoyed the conversation around me, meeting new faces, and people-watching.
There was a brief moment in the night when I swore I caught sight of Maria. But just as I sat up, disengaging Lissa's wandering hands, the vision of her disappeared through the crowd.
My foul mood briefly returned as I cursed my knee-jerk reaction. So what if it had been her? So what if she saw me laughing away with another woman, allowing her to put her hands intimately on me? Would she be jealous? Regretful? Or would she not give a damn?
I shook the stupid notion out of my head. It didn't matter. It wasn't her. I'd never seen her in The Homestead before, so there was no reason she'd be here tonight. I was seeing things.
"Wanna get out of here?"
