Best to drink it down fast.
She took a steady breath and opened her throat. The fiery liquid singed a path from her esophagus to her stomach. She choked, coughed, and slapped her fist against her chest a few times, to what end she didn’t know. No amount of slapping would help the burn of the alcohol or the pain of what was to come.
“Jessa.” The deep, familiar voice came from behind her. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
Jessa screamed, her glass shattering as it dropped to the granite countertop. She whirled, heart in her throat, and stared back at the one person she didn’t want to see right now.
*
Where the fuck was she going?
Garrett frowned at the young man approaching. He bent his head as the host spoke in hushed tones, relaying Jessa’s message about the same time his cell phone buzzed in his pocket.
Garrett stared at his phone, knowing her excuse about work was a ruse. His little princess had the worst poker face he’d ever seen. Pain, confusion, regret. That’s what he’d seen in her expression. His gut clenched in anger, knowing she was upset and feeling that somehow, he’d been the cause.
“It sounds like you’re on your own,” the woman standing next to him said. What was her name? Lisa? Lindsey? He was pretty sure it started with an L.
“Only temporarily, ma’am.”
She giggled and Garrett bit back a cringe. God, did he ever think that was cute?
Only when Jessa did it. When he tickled her and she laughed with childlike glee it warmed his heart. But this woman, with her bleach blonde hair and fake nails, this woman struck his nerves. As though she’d pulled her manicured fingernails down a chalkboard.
“That’s right, sugar,” she cooed. “’Cause Lila is here to keep you company.” Like a snake, she wound an arm around his, coiling and pulling him against her.
Lila! He knew it started with an L.
Garrett shifted and raised his arm, effectively disengaging the annoying woman. What was it with these women thinking his body was their personal property? He wasn’t a damned animal to be petted at their whim.
They were like leeches and he was getting damned tired of pulling them off every time he turned around.
All he’d wanted was a quiet dinner with Jessa to discuss their future. He should have known better than to expect they’d find privacy outside their room.
He chuckled. He’d been to his own room once in the last forty-eight hours, but not to sleep. Not without Jessa. She’d invited him into her bed and he wasn’t going anywhere. Not tonight. If he had his way, not ever. Sharing a bed, feeling Jessa’s naked flesh against his as they slept, holding her. He was addicted, plain and simple.
His dick pulsed as he remembered the sight of Jessa bent over the couch, her ass pink and warm from his hand. Her cries of pleasure at each blow, her * hot and wet for him. She’d liked it. The slight bite of pain, the wickedness of it all. He’d given her the space to let go of her inhibitions, to free herself from social constructs and enjoy the pleasures of her body, and his.
And she’d been glorious.
Well, wasn’t this just fucktastic. Rock-hard pecker and the cause was nowhere in sight. Lila would probably think she’d been the one that made him hard. Christ. He’d never get rid of her then.
He shifted toward the bar, hiding the obvious bulge in his jeans.
“Sugar?”
Garrett narrowed his eyes on Lila. “Name’s Garrett, ma’am.” He shook with the effort to remain polite, his Southern manners ingrained deep. The media in the room also helped to keep his temper in check. Reminded him he was here to do a job. Gave him the focus he needed to hide his irritation behind a smile. “I’m flattered by the attention, and I’d be happy to buy you a drink.” He maintained eye contact. “But that’s where it ends. You won’t get what you’re looking for from me. My girl has been delayed, but I promise you, I’ll be spending my evening with her.”