Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 224334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1122(@200wpm)___ 897(@250wpm)___ 748(@300wpm)
“Natasha, you are an intolerable flirt as ever.” I push Ava on, feeling her resistance, and tuck her into my side, lavishing her with my mouth—a message to both Ava and Natasha. I get her to the bar without delay, mindful of the many women around who could tip Ava over the edge. I truly never appreciated the effort this evening would take. The gauntlet I would be running. I don’t know why, perhaps because none of these women ever meant anything to me so I’ve underestimated how Ava might feel about them. It was only ever sex. Ava would never only ever have sex. Each time, each man, would have meant something to her, so she can’t comprehend the concept of meaningless.
And there’s just one more reason why I love her.
When we get into the bar, I nod to a guy who’s on the stool I need for Ava, and he respectfully gives it up when he sees us approaching. I nod my thanks and put Ava on it. “What would you like to drink?” I ask, willing to show some flex. “Most Marvelous?”
“Please, Mario.” She smiles his way before turning her attention to Kate who’s leaning into me. I pinch my thumb and index fingers, my way of telling Mario to make it a small one.
“I’ll have one of those.” Kate nods at the jug of pink, holding my arm for support. “These shoes are killing me,” she moans, prompting me to look down at the heels gracing her feet. By the sounds of things, they’ll be off soon. Everything will be off. “Seriously,” she says. “A man categorically devised the high heel, and he did it in an attempt to make it easier for you dudes to rugby tackle us womenfolk to the ground and haul us back to your beds.”
I laugh loudly, watching Mario pour the drinks, giving him my fingers again, this time with less space between them. Smaller.
“What’s the score?” Sam asks as he eyes me laughing and I wave him off. Kate slaps my shoulder, and I look at her tilted head. The questions in her eyes. There are so many fucking questions. I wouldn’t know which she wants an answer to in this moment.
“I’m sorry, drinks?” I ask instead, finding Ava smiling at me fondly. I wrinkle my nose and flip her an endearing wink as she collects her drink, giving one to Kate.
Drew moves in, looking at his watch in front of me, a hint if ever there was one. “All right, rampant pants.”
“Not even half hour earlier?” he asks.
“Are you joking? Why would I have a band at the anniversary dinner if there’s no one here to enjoy them?” The moment those doors open, people will disappear.
“You and Ava will be here to enjoy them. And John.”
I roll my eyes. “What the fuck’s going on, anyway?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you, Sam, and Kate.”
He shrugs. “Nothing to tell you, mate.”
“Bullshit, Drew. Be careful.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” I say, moving in closer, checking Sam’s whereabouts. “I think Sam has feelings for Kate.”
“Of course he has feelings for Kate, you dick.”
I recoil.
“But the stubborn fucker won’t admit it.” Drew shrugs, slurping his beer. “Neither will she. She thinks she wants to dabble.” He smiles, a rare, smug smile. “So I’m here to help.”
Oh no. “By fucking her?” Makes perfect fucking sense.
“Aren’t they pissing you off?” he asks. “All I keep hearing is just fun. Give me a fucking break. If there’s something there, I’ll make sure they both realize.”
I laugh, and it dries up when Sam appears. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Drew and I say in unison, both sinking our drinks. If it didn’t sound really weird, I’d say I’d like to be there and watch that happen. Not the fucking. The moment Sam realizes and stops Drew putting his dick in Kate. Jesus Christ, this isn’t going to end well.
Ava catches my eye, trying to get my attention. “What’s up, baby?”
“Nothing.” She motions to the exit. “I’m just going to use the ladies’.” She hops down and gets her purse, giving me her hand when I silently ask for it. I kiss the top. “I won’t be long.”
“Okay.” I watch her go with Kate, smiling at her bare back. And growling when I see another member admiring her too.
“Is it ten thirty yet?” Sam asks, distracting me from teaching the guy a lesson on manners when it comes to staring.
“No,” I snap, giving him a tired look. Poor fucker has no idea what’s coming. “God, you’re a dick.” I turn to Mario for some more water, hearing Drew chuckle.
“What happened with Coral?” he asks, settling on the stool Ava just vacated, Sam moving in too, eager for the details.
“Mike. It was him who called the police and now he’s playing nasty with Coral.”