Page 59 of Bastard Bartender

I smile, albeit I’m a bit confused by the tone of his voice. “I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d come out for a drink.”

His eyes roam the deep V-neck of my dress and my breasts that are on display. “You out on the prowl?”

I giggle. “Maybe,” I tease.

Nic shakes his head with a half-smile and walks away. I admire his firm ass as he saunters, biting my lip at all the things I plan to do to it later tonight.

“Be careful. You have some drool hanging from that mouth.”

I look over and see a gorgeous woman with long, dark hair, sinfully sexy eyes, and a tight-fitting dress that rivals my own.

“Destiny!” I open my arms and hug Nic’s friend. It’s funny how easily I recognize Mario in his drag, and it looks as natural on him as did his jeans and T-shirt the other day. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“No, thank you, love. I am a sober gal. Always keep my wits about me at the club. But when I get down, it’s always with champagne and every drop of it had better be Dom Pérignon.”

“I like your taste.”

“And I like yours. See from the way you’re eye-fucking my boy over there that things have heated up between you two.”

“Aren’t you perceptive?” I playfully nudge her with my shoulder. “So, what’s the advice? Do you have any words of wisdom?” I bat my lashes as I laugh.

Destiny, on the other hand, is not laughing as she points in Nic’s direction and levels her eyes with me. “Maintain high expectations in the sheets and lower them in the streets. Do you know anything about the zodiac, sweetheart?”

I shake my head, so she continues.

“Nic is a Gemini. He’s positive, adventurous, and surprising. Our boy is always on the move, which I’m sure you’ve figured out already.”

I nod. “He literally jumped off a cliff mid-conversation once.”

“He’s free-spirited, airheaded, bent on spontaneously coming to the decision to leave on a three-week vacation to the Himalayas. The truth is, his nature isn’t all light and superficial. Underneath all that childish charm is a complex man who is very hard to reach.”

“How do I break into the inner emotions of Nic?”

“Oh, sweetie, you don’t. That man is as distant from his own emotions as anyone. My advice is to play hard to get.”

“I don’t play games,” I say and immediately take it back. I mean, I am the girl who is dating her way through the alphabet. “If I like someone, really like them, then I’m willing to take a risk and give it a chance.”

Destiny widens her smile and pats my arm like I’m a kitty. “I like you, Evette. I think you’re good for Nic. Now, don’t let that red dress go to waste. You do your thang-thang and make his tongue wag like the out-of-control puppy he is.”

I laugh as I give her a wink. “That’s the plan.”

Destiny saunters off, and I turn to my drink. I haven’t touched it yet, which is fine because I’m not here to get a buzz. I’m here to watch Nic.

He heads over to me and leans across the bar. “You doing okay? I see Destiny found you.”

“Yes. We had a very interesting chat.” I smile as I bring my drink to my lips.

“You have to watch it with that one. When Destiny’s around, there’s bound to be some sort of trouble.” He searches around me. “No Marie tonight?”

“No. I just came here to see you.”

He nods his head slowly and looks to the side, as if he just realized something. A woman calls Nic over, and he turns to see what she wants to order.

While he works, I sip my drink. A hand touches my shoulder, and I turn to see a guy with light hair and a handsome grin standing next to me.

“Hi. I just wanted to come over and say you are the most beautiful woman in this bar.”

I hold up a hand and stop him. “I’m sorry. I’m here with someone.” I point to Nic, who is turned away from us. “I’m with the bartender.”