Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“Afraid so.”
“I’ve got it.”
I walked over to the table and filled each of the shot glasses. I passed them around, and one by one, we each tilted our heads back and took the shot. This time the burn didn’t bother me. In fact, I barely even noticed it.
I thought that was a good thing.
But yet again, I was wrong.
Very, very wrong.
Q
“Oh, yeah, baby!” Jules did a quick twirl, and her long blonde hair landed smack dab in her face, causing her to stumble as she cheered, “That’s what I’m talking about!”
Even though I knew it was the booze talking, it was good to see Jules cut loose and have a good time. Her walls were down, and for the first time since we’d met, she seemed happy, confident even, and I would’ve given anything to make the moment last. I gave her a playful smile as I teased, “How about that! You made one.”
“Um-hmm. I sure did.” Jules was well on her way to being completely wasted, and while I was enjoying the show, I knew there would be hell to pay later. “Aaa-nnd I’m gonna make ann-other one.”
“That’s right, Jules.” Caroline swayed a little in her seat. “You show him how it’s done.”
“Oh, I’m gonna. You just wait and see.” She staggered up to the table and lined up her shot, and after several failed attempts, she finally managed to make contact with the ball. I wasn’t surprised that it didn’t make it into the pocket, but Jules, on the other hand, seemed positively stunned. “What! No way! This stupid table is rigged.”
“It’s not rigged, babe.” I felt a little bad fucking with her, but I couldn’t help myself. “You just suck.”
“I don’t suck! You suck!” Her words were slightly slurred, but flirty as she added, “And you’re mean.”
“Not mean, darlin’.” My lips curled into a smile. “Just honest.”
“Mean and arrogant.”
“Arrogant?”
“Don’t try to deny it. You know you are.” Her expressions were dramatic, and her words were over-accentuated, which made everything she did and said even more humorous. “Mister I’m So Sexy in my leather jacket. You know, there’s no reason anyone should be as good-looking as you are. It’s insulting.”
“Insulting?”
“Um-hmm.” Hayes handed her another shot, and before I could stop her, Jules tossed it back. She slammed the shot glass back down on the table as she told me, “You should be more considerate of others.”
“Sorry, babe, but that’s not something I can help.”
“Oh, no. You do that shit on purpose.” She stepped closer as her eyes skirted over me. “I mean, look at ya. You got those sexy, come-hither eyes and perfect full lips, and if that isn’t bad enough, you gotta go and smell good, too. It’s just not right.”
“I didn’t realize it was such a problem.”
“Well, it is.” She inched even closer. “But don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
“I’m a kind person.” A sexy smirk crept across her sexy, little mouth as she added, “It’s one of my best attributes.”
“You have many favorable attributes.”
My attention was drawn to Hayes when he stepped up to the table and took his shot. When the ball bounced out of the pocket, Caroline cheered, “Whoop! Whoop! Looks like it’s time for you boys to drink!”
“Looks that way,” Hayes replied with a chuckle.
“It’s about time.” She hopped off her seat and waddled over to the bottle of Tequila. After pouring us both a drink, she lifted the glasses high and shook her hips. “Come and get ‘em.”
Once we’d tossed them back, Hayes motioned Caroline forward and said, “Your turn, beautiful.”
“Unless you want to take a break,” I offered.
It was clear from the way they were behaving that the numerous shots were having their effect on both Caroline and Jules, and I was worried that it would be too much for them. I’d hoped that she would take me up on my offer, but instead, she replied, “No need for that. I’m good.”
Caroline made her way over to the table, then leaned in to make her shot. Seconds later, balls went rolling, but none made it into the pocket. It wasn’t until Hayes went over to pour the shots that I noticed that Jules was gone. I scanned the bar from front to back but saw no sign of her.
I waited a moment, hoping that she might come back. When she didn’t return, I decided to go look for her. I’d just started down the hall to the bathrooms when the door to the women’s restroom opened, and Jules stepped out. I walked over to her as I asked, “Hey, you okay?”
“Um-hmm. I’m fine,” she answered in a whisper.
“Good.”
We stood there for a moment, just looking at one another, and then Jules turned to leave. She took a step and tripped, stumbling into my arms. I quickly grabbed her, helping her steady her feet. We were just inches apart, her chest pressed against mine when her eyes drifted down to my mouth.