Page 39 of Playing the Player

“Hey, babe.” She jumps up to hug me when I reach the table. After that painfully awkward dinner with us and the boys, I thought Olivia would be off with me for a while. Instead, we were completely back to normal the next day. That’s how our friendship works and I love it. I can always count on her to have my back. “I invited Charlie. I hope that was okay?”

“Yeah, of course.” Right on cue, Charlie drops into the seat beside me, slamming a tray of drinks onto the table.

“Okay, so I thought we’d start off the evening right with tequila shots.” Liv and I both grimace. Tequila was our drink of choice during our college days and to say we have the fear would be an understatement. “What?”

Olivia and I exchange a look before we burst out laughing, all the memories are our drunken nights out flooding back. “I’ll have one shot but that’s it.”

“God, you're both so boring.” Charlie whines but there’s a smile playing on her lips. The three of us lift a shot, clink our glasses together and down them. “That’s so much worse than I remember.” I choke out while Liv and Charlie laugh.

“So,” Olivia starts, eyeing me with a smirk, “how’s things with Conor?”

“Oh my God, that’s right!” Charlie shouts, earning the attention of people surrounding us.

“Emm, things are going good.” I tell them. Heat rises up my cheeks and Olivia’s smirk grows. “What?”

“Nothing.” She looks away, but I know that expression. I told Olivia about the kiss at the party because she wouldn’t stop interrogating me. It took a lot of convincing on her part, and by that, I mean she pinned me down and tickled me until I told her what happened. I did not tell her about before or after the party though. I don’t know if she would judge me or be pissed at me, but I couldn’t deal with her thoughts on the situation as well as my own.

Thankfully the kiss was enough information for her to satisfy her. She thinks that’s the reason for my wild eyes and heated cheeks any time Conor’s name is mentioned and I would like to keep it that way.

“So tell me,” Charlie says, turning towards me, “how did you manage to pin him down?”

“Why, Charlotte?” A deep voice says from behind us. “Are you looking for tips?” Charlie’s face instantly changes from her happy smile to glaring daggers at the man behind me. I spin around, seeing Christian Knight with Josh.

“What are you doing here?” Liv asks, jumping out of her seat and pulling Josh into a deep, toe-curling kiss. It’s cute that they’ve been together for so long and still want to rip each other’s clothes off anytime they’re in the same room. It makes me feel nauseous and horny all at the same time.

“Aunt Dee wanted to take Bella for the night so we decided to surprise you.” Josh says once he pries himself off his girlfriend.

“Did you have to bring him?” Charlie asks snidely, her glare never straying from Christian.

“I’m getting a drink.” Christian turns and stalks off towards the bar.

I look at Charlie. “What was all that about?”

She throws back another shot before answering. “Long story short, he’s an asshole.” She sighs, pushing herself out of the booth. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

She walks towards the toilets but her gaze keeps snagging on the bar. Interesting.

I glance around. I’m the only one here. Where the hell did Liv and Josh go? Horny bastards. I just hope they went to a different bathroom than Josh’s sister did. That would be traumatizing. I need a drink just thinking about it.

I make my way to the bar and order a sex on the beach. They are the ultimate cocktail and no one can change my mind on that. I reach into my bag for my purse, but a male voice stops me, “I’ve got it.” I look up into the most devastatingly beautiful blue eyes. “Hey, Angel.” Conor leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek before grabbing my drink in one hand and my hand in the other, leading me back to our booth.

“Thank you.”

The second we sit at the booth again, Conor pulls me onto his lap, wraps his arms around my waist and brushes his lips against the bare skin at my neck. Goosebumps race across my arms, followed by a shiver that runs straight down my spine.

He’s never touched me like this before. The most physical we’ve gotten is that kiss at the party last week. This feels different though, more natural. More intimate. And my mind immediately starts spinning. I need him to stop. I’m getting mixed signals and it’s all getting too confusing. It’s all an act, Sash.

Charlie comes back to the table with a faraway look in her eyes. She’s staring at us but I don't think she’s really looking at us. I wiggle out of Conor’s tight grasp. “What’s wrong?” I ask, reaching for her hand but she quickly pulls it away. “Charlie?”

“I, umm…” She blinks in quick succession. “I think I need to get my ears bleached.” A laugh bubbles up my throat before I can stop it.

“Josh and Liv?” I manage between laughs.

“Don’t remind me!” She snaps. She’s in shock, but this is fucking hilarious.

“Don’t worry, girl. We’ve all been there.”

“Captain.” She mutters. “Disgusting.”