With a grin, I change back into the polka-dot minidress, redo my hair and makeup, and slip on a pair of heels. Then I walk the few blocks to Bounce, fighting the urge to skip there the whole way.
I wave to Jimmy on the way in, and once inside I can see it’s packed. I suddenly remember who Myles is when he’s working here, and there’s a pinprick of anxiety in my gut. What if I see him with women draped over him, twirling the bottle and flirting? It irritated the shit out of me before, but now I realize I was probably a bit jealous.
Oh, who am I kidding? I was jealous as fuck.
I spot him through the crowd and my heart does a somersault.Godhe’s sexy. But it’s more than that; he’s sweet, too, and he cares about me—reallycares about me. I still can’t believe that this guy lovesme.
As I thread through the crowd, watching him work, I notice he’s not his usual bartender self. He’s smiling as he serves people, but it’s not his cocky smile. I don’t see him prancing around in front of the ladies, and when a woman leans over the bar to touch his arm—and my whole body tenses with rage—he politely pulls himself away, keeping a professional distance. At every turn, instead of being his old flirty self, he’s just a regular bartender—one whose body language says that he’s taken.
He’s taken. Byme. A thrill zips through my bloodstream at the thought, and I giggle. He’s going to lose a lot of tips because of me.
I push through the crowd until I’m in his eye-line, and he glances up immediately, as if he can sense me, his face breaking into a huge grin. His gaze dips down to my dress and back up, and he bites his lip, giving me a look that’s pure lust.
Goddammit. I still have to waitfourhoursto get him into bed.
I inch forward in the line up to the bar, and he leans down onto his elbows, so he’s at my eye-level, ignoring everyone around us. It reminds me of the night we first met, and here I am, hisgirlfriend, and I can’t help but beam.
“What can I get you, beautiful?”
I chuckle. “There’s that bartender charm. I was watching you work and thought you’d lost it.”
“I have.” He brushes his fingers over my arm, his eyes lit with affection. “For everyone but you.”
“Good.” I lean over the bar, close to his ear. “It’s only for me now.”
He rubs the side of his face against mine, so his bristles tickle my cheek. “Fine by me.” He draws back with a smile. “Vodka?”
I shake my head. “Kiss.”
He gives a grunt, tossing aside the dishcloth from his shoulder. “Josie,” he calls down the bar, “I’m taking a break.”
Her gaze pings between him and me, and she nods. He grabs my hand, pulling me down the corridor and out the back door until we’re in the dimly-lit alleyway behind the bar, alone. The door slips shut behind him and he turns, pinning me with a gaze so hot I nearly burst into flames.
“That dress,” he growls as he steps closer. “You look so sexy.”
I sigh as he threads his hands into my hair, tilting my face for a kiss. He captures my lips with his, sweeping his tongue hungrily through my mouth, making me drunk with desire. When we finally come up for air, I glance around, spotting a dark corner behind a Dumpster.
“How long is your break? Do you think we could—”
“I’m not fucking you in the alley behind the bar, you horndog,” he says with a teasing smile. “As much as I might want to. But you deserve better than that.”
I giggle, half appreciating his sweetness, half wishing he wasn’tquiteso sweet.
“You forced me out of your bed this morning without even kissing me.” His fingertips settle chastely on my waist. “You can wait a few hours.”
“Is this my punishment?”
“Something like that.”
“But the thing is,” I say, letting my hands drift down the front of his shirt, “I don’t think Icanwait.” I slide my palm over the hard bulge in his jeans, delighting in the rough sound it draws from him.
“Fuck, Cat, you’re killing me.” His mouth lands on mine again in a blistering kiss. He lifts a hand to cradle my breast, stroking his thumb over my nipple through my dress. Wet, molten heat pools between my thighs and I arch against him, moaning into his mouth.
“Okay, okay.” He drags his body away from mine, reaching to adjust the arousal threatening his zipper, breathing hard. “If we don’t stop now Iwillhave to take you behind the Dumpster and you’ll lose all respect for me. Although,” he says, grinning as he watches me try to pull myself together, “I’m pretty sure you only want me for my body, anyway.”
A smile sneaks onto my lips. Because his body is delicious, yes—but it’s more than that. “Also your business knowledge. And the way you play the piano.” I pause for a second, thinking. I remember earlier today, when he told me he loved me even after everything I’ve put him through. “And your heart,” I add, quieter.
Emotion glistens in his eyes and he pulls me close, gathering me against his chest. “Cat,” he murmurs, kissing my head and burying his face in my hair.
