Chapter 1
The music blares around us as we move through the dancing crowd, the red and purple lights shining within the darkness of the club as we head to the bar.
“I don’t know if we should be doing this with class tomorrow. Promise me you won’t go all out,” Beth says as she trails her hand over my bare shoulder, keeping herself close by.
But she should know better. With my dark hair down, a short little dress on with sleeves that always slip down my shoulders, no bra, and heels. That means I’m here to have as much fun as possible.
After being home for a month, and the new semester starting tomorrow, I need all the stress relief I can get.
“Let’s have fun!” Danielle yells before I can voice my own opinion.
“Fine, but everyone has early morning class, so we need to behave... somewhat,” Beth replies.
She’s always responsible until the drinking starts. After one shot, she’s eager to enjoy everything just like Danielle and me. We just have to get her there.
I flash our fake IDs to the bartender with a smile on my lips. The bartender’s gaze wanders over us and then he shrugs, accepts it, and asks us what we want. We all start with some beers and move to the dance floor. My hips are already swaying with the beats as I gaze around.
Plenty of college guys are here tonight, with too-smug faces or a shyness that proves they wouldn’t know what to do with a woman. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been into older, more experienced men. At least they know how to please a woman and know that it’s not just in and out to get a girl off.
“Emily, promise me you’re not going to get crazy drunk,” Beth begs. “I love you, but I hate hungover morning you when we have to do something.”
“Don’t worry. If I’m late, it’s all on me. Plus, we both know that some food will sober me right up,” I say with a wink and downing half my beer. “I’m not planning on ditching you two here tonight.”
“Yeah, right,” Danielle teases.
We all laugh, then start dancing. It doesn’t take long before big hands grip my waist. As I glance over my shoulder, I turn and shake my head. He doesn’t seem to get my answer as he crawls closer.
He grips my dress and tugs it slightly, enough for it to move and show more than I want to show off tonight. I push him back, my brows low, and I shake my head.
“Back the fuck off,” I snap, and it seems we aren’t speaking the same language as he just grins at me and draws closer again. He’s flung around in a single blink, the low lighting shields me from seeing what’s happening, or even seeing who’s talking to my obnoxious stranger.
A soft tap on my shoulder makes me turn, and I stare down at Beth’s confused gaze.
“What’s going on?”
I look back and shrug my shoulders as the two men are gone. “Nothing,” I say. “I’ll go get us some shots.”
Beth sighs, and I grin spreads on my face. I scoot past them and walk over to the bar.
I ask for a shot of tequila and the bartender shakes his head. “I don’t know if I should give this to you, sweetheart. Tequila means bad decisions.”
“Maybe I’m in for some bad decisions,” I say with a teasing smile, half leaning over the bar.
He’s hot and reminds me of a buff surfer with his long blonde hair, tank top, big muscles, and scruffy face.
The shots glide over the counter as Danielle and Beth join me. With a quick wink, we fling them down, welcoming the familiar burn of tequila. Beth winces, shakes her body out, then looks at me.
“Stop flirting and coming onto the man who’s making us drinks. He’s not an option,” Beth insists.
“Killjoy,” I huff.
The bartender slides me another drink after making it. “That bit of sour should help.”
The lemon drop makes my face pucker, and I shake my head. “No. Oh god! That’s more intense than the lemon itself.”
“Then what would you like?”
“Sex on the beach,” I say with a grin.
He sighs with a shake of his head, but the shy smile doesn’t go unnoticed as he makes my drink.
The world is kind of wavy, and I know I’m drunk. I know I’m going to get drunker as time goes on, but I also know how to handle myself.
As the bartender hands me my drink, I turn as Beth’s warning gaze burns my skin. I move between the dancing crowd, sipping my drink that I can tell is more fruit juice than alcohol... actually, I can’t taste the alcohol. Either I’m drunk or he gave me a virgin...
Sneaky bartender.
As I sway with the music and consider going to have a conversation with him, my eyes catch on the most gorgeous green eyes I’ve ever seen in my life. They’re spellbinding, perfect. There’s something smart and easygoing about them, until those same eyes catch on me.
Then they’re questioning, hot, full of desire. I smile very slightly and wonder if I should go to him. I take another sip from my virgin drink, and my eyes stay on him as his remain on mine. My body tingles, a warmth spreading inside me, and with a deep breath I edge closer, not shy enough to stay away. His eyes are glued to me as he leans back against the wall with all the confidence in the world.
“Hello, kitten.” The words roll off his tongue in such a velvety, sexy, natural way that I almost moan.
