Her eyelashes fluttered. “I’d forgotten what it sounds like.”
“What?” I traced the outline of her knuckles, then the expanse of her wrist.
A voice I’d rather forget cut in from behind me. “What’s up with Finn? He found him a new young thing to mess around with?”
I prayed to all things holy that Bree couldn’t hear my ex hissing her vitriol. I’d hoped she’d have the decency to find a new place to drink after we broke up, but I’d never been quite that lucky when it came to exes.
It hadn’t ever mattered what people had to say about me, and no one truly cared about me having a bit of fun.
“That man can charm anyone.” This came from a man off to the side, and he said it with a hint of laughter that brought out a matching smile from me.
“Aye, but that one doesn’t have a prayer. Look at her. Stranger to town and all. She ought to be warned.”
Yep, time to tune out the haters and live my life my way…the same as always. I focused on Bree. “What did you forget, love?”
“That.” Her eyes closed and she drifted closer to me. “Being talked to like a person. No one talks like that in Boston.”
Ah. Now that was a shame. “You deserve to be spoken to like that every second of every day.”
Three hours later, we’d talked about a dozen topics, had a few more shots, and were properly drunk.
Bree wavered on her stool, her giggles more loose and every shred of tightness gone from her body. “I should head upstairs.” Her gaze drifted longingly over me.
“I can walk you up.” I slid off my stool and offered her my arm.
She took it with a grin. “Probably a good idea. I’m not exactly steady on my feet.”
I caught her at the first wobble, our arms linked together and steps moving in sync as we crossed the room.
Declan popped a towel in my direction, the pointed look telling me to back the fuck off.
I saluted him with a tap of my finger to my forehead, simultaneously flipping him off as I smirked.
The hell with what he thought.
I helped Bree up the steps one at a time, stopping when she swayed and letting her regain her balance.
For all my snark at Declan, I fully intended on leaving Bree once she made it safely inside.
I might be a player and a flirt, but I didn’t take advantage of drunk women.
She was Shayla’s daughter. That by itself made her off limits.
Bree twisted the knob and pushed the door open, stepping through when I released her arm.
“Good night, Bree.”
She spun around, her eyes going wide “What?”
“Good night.” I said it slowly, reaching for the door so I could close it for her.
“Wait. I thought…” she chewed her bottom lip. “Aren’t you going to come in?” Her chin dipped, and she looked up at me through those long lashes of hers. “You promised to get me properly smashed. I’m pretty sure that involves making a few decisions we’ll regret tomorrow.”
When she put it like that…I wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her flush against my chest.
Our lips crashed together an instant later.
She was everything warm and sweet.
