“Nothin’.”I rub at my eyes, not quite used to the contact lenses.I take another long pull from the bottle and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.“Did I interrupt your big moment then?”
The whiskey is just taking the edge off whatever shite is running through my head.
“I got what I needed.”He shrugs, reaching for the bottle.
I pull away, guarding it for myself.“You’re a fucking selfish bastard, man.”
“And you couldn’t find a warm body to bring home, so you can fuck right off.”
“Had the offer.Just wasn’t the one I wanted,” I boast, pushing off the counter and heading down the short hall toward my room.Green tresses swirl through my mind.
“You giving up the game?”Jimmy shouts after me.
“Just getting choosy,” I toss back.
I strip down and warm the shower.The whiskey bottle gripped tightly in one hand, I step beneath the stream and tilt my head under the water.Surely, I can get some relief.My free hand slicks up and down the length of my cock, jerking, as thoughts of Addie fill my head.The way she tasted.The way she gripped my arms—not quite pulling me in, but not really pushing me away.
Christ, I’ve gotten my release any number of ways, but when I think of Addie, the feeling is entirely different.With my eyes squeezed shut, cock aching in my fist, my thoughts go straight to her.I wonder what she’s doing at this God-given moment.The inkling that maybe, just maybe, she could be thinking of me has me stroking faster, harder.
I steady myself on the wall of the shower, whiskey bottle clinking against the tiles.And the face I see when I come is Addie’s, the look of pure lust when I took her lips earlier.
* * *
Christ,can I not wake up just once in the morning with my cock not aching for a change?
I close my eyes, hoping to fall back to sleep, but the ear-splitting wails of, “Jimmy, oh, Jimmy,” are far too loud and not at all genuine, but they do the trick for me, killing any fantasy I might have fallen back into.
The man needs to pay attention to his girls’ tells.Or have some fucking pride and find a girl who’s a step further away from desperate.
I grab my earbuds and crank some music at a high enough volume to mask what I’d rather not experience.At least I take my time.Pay attention and leave whoever the lucky lady is satisfied but wishing for more.
* * *
When I pushthrough the door of McBride’s, only five minutes late for my shift, the last person I expect to see sitting at the bar is Francie.He’s not been around much for the past few weeks, but with St.Patrick’s Day quickly approaching, it makes sense that I’d be seeing a lot more of him.
“You’re late again, Finn.”Francie peers at me over the top of his coffee mug.“What’s your excuse’s name this time?”
“Erm, Jimmy?That bastard is loud as fuck when he?—”
“I don’t need to know that.”Francie holds his hand up, palm out, stopping my words.Hell, no one should be subjected to it.“What’s goin’ on wit’ ye?I’ve heard that you’ve been keeping company with someolderladies again, not acting quite yourself.”
“Been talking to Aidan then?”
I can take their shite and them riding my arse about things.I grew up with two older brothers who showed no mercy for taunting me until the day I left Dublin, but there are times I just wish the McBride’s men would leave well enough alone.
“I have.Don’t want you repeating history,” he puts out there without any pretense.“He also mentioned a lovely little thing who is doing some work for him.I like her.”
At that, I snap my head up to meet his inquisitive stare.“What did he say about her?”
“Finn, maybe it’s time you settle yourself and take a break from the quick and easy.”
My eyebrows disappear into my hairline at that.
He stands from the stool and pauses a moment, swaying a bit on his feet.“You’re off this year for St.Paddy’s.Why don’t you ask her out?Take her someplace nice, treat her like a lady.And keep things respectful for a first date for a change.”Francie nods at this sage advice and turns for his office.
13
“Do you have a map?Because I keep getting lost in your eyes.”
