Page 13 of Just A Kiss

“Remember how you reacted when you found out Aiden was married?”

“Of course, but it wasn’t what it looked like.”

“I don’t know why you’re doing this. I don’t have feelings for him. It was just sex. One time.” But I dream of it every night, and it feels like we’ve done it a thousand times, a hundred different ways. Every morning when I wake, the thought of him leaves me breathless and wanting more.

She cocks her head. “You are such a liar.”

I look away from her and pretend to be busy cleaning glasses.

* * *

For the secondnight in a row, I find myself inside a smoky bar. The same one as last night, but this time, I’m not here to meet a client. I’m here for her. I found myself on this side of town, and when I saw her car parked outside, I told myself it was fate. The funny thing is that I don’t believe in fate. I was raised to believe you make your own luck. You don’t leave it to chance or coincidence.

I walk up to the bar. Her back is toward me, and her hair is up in a bun. She wears tight-fitting jeans that hug her narrow waist and a black tank top that allows you to see the two dimples right above her ass. My dick instantly hardens as I imagine pulling her pants down and putting my hands all over her. A bar towel hangs from one back pocket, and I can see the outline of her cell in the other.

She turns around, and I lift my eyes to hers. They widen when she sees me. “Asher! What are you doing here?”

“Needed a drink,” I lie.

The surprised look drops off her face, and she walks over to me. “On this side of town?”

I shrug. “The view is nice.”

She snorts but doesn’t comment further. “What do you want to drink?”

“Whiskey. Neat.”

She nods her head once and grabs a glass. “How did you know I was here?” she asks, setting my drink in front of me. Then she rolls her eyes. “Never mind, don’t answer that.”

I take a sip and then set the glass on the bar. “Can you drink while working?”

She looks at me for a long second, her blue eyes slightly narrowing at my question. Finally, she nods once. “If I’m offered—”

“Hey, babe,” a man calls out, interrupting her as he comes up to the bar.

I look over at him. His blond hair is slicked back and to the left. He wears a pair of khakis and a white polo shirt with loafers. He definitely doesn’t fit in this bar.

“Hey … sweetie,” she responds with a big smile on her face.

I narrow my eyes on hers. I’ve never heard mention of a boyfriend. Wouldn’t Hadley have told me that when I questioned her this morning?

He leans over the bar, and she meets him halfway, giving him her cheek, and he kisses it. “Sorry I’m late.”

“No worries,” she says and makes him a shot of tequila. He looks at it as if it has two heads. We both watch him lift it and smell it before he takes a sip. He coughs, and she looks at me. “What was it you wanted, Asher?”

I glare at her, trying to find the meaning behind her words. Is she being funny? She must be. Because she knows I came here for her and her only. Not to consume their cheap and crappy whiskey. Instead, I say, “Didn’t know you were seeing someone.”

She smiles and holds up her left hand. “Actually, I’m engaged.”

My eyes widen, and the guy to my right spits out his tequila all over the bar and begins to cough harder than before.

“Are you okay, baby?” she asks him.

He nods quickly and grabs some napkins off the bar and begins to blot his face. “Fine,” he croaks out.

“Engaged? Since when?” I don’t believe her for a second. Especially after looking at the cubic zirconia on her finger.

“Since last week,” she answers with a smile. “We’ve been on and off for a few years now, and last week, he popped the question. Didn’t he do a great job?” She inspects her hand. “We’re thinking of a July wedding. Right, sweetie?”

His face is pale, and he’s breathing so heavy I’m afraid he may pass out, but he nods at her question. “I’ll … uh … be right back,” he manages to get out before he takes off toward the bathroom.

I look at her, and she places a new glass of whiskey in front of me. “It’s on the house.”

I reach over and grab her wrists, keeping her from turning away from me. “I know you’re lying. The question is why?”

She leans over the bar and lowers her voice. “Came by here for a drink? You’re the one who was lying.”

I release her wrist, take the shot, and nod to her. “I’ll be back, Andi.”

“And I’ll still be engaged.”