He shrugged, “Why? This is a bar and I’m a paying customer. All I did was order a drink.”
I wanted to kick him off that stool. I narrowed my eyes at him. “You know exactly what you did with that porn show in your mouth.”
Blake leaned forward, sending his hair to the edges of those gorgeous eyes. The tips of his fingers covered my own, electrocuting me. His voice was husky. “Did you enjoy what you saw?” Arching one perfect eyebrow, he continued, “There could easily be an instant replay.” Reaching out, he traced my lips with his index finger, and it tasted like the wet nipple and the cherry and him and . . .
Oh god.
My mouth opened and closed like a fish, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes behind my head. Trying to regain some dignity, I straightened my back, clamped my fish-mouth shut and turned my attention to the parched, yelling crowd.
Blake’s deep, hearty laugh bellowed from behind me.
I was glad he found it amusing.
For the next hour I found a way to block him out and took my game up a notch. I satisfied every customer, making them all feel loved, and redeemed myself with Rick. Jasmine was cool. She didn’t talk much. Just did her thing and tended to the customers.
I turned as Jace, Jessie, and Sandra bounced through the door. Jace, ever the eccentric, was wearing blue sunglasses, his hair perfectly coiffed. Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. I was being rescued. Thankfully, we all had kickass fake IDs, and Rick was cool people, so we’d all be able to enjoy ourselves. He didn’t care if I drank as long as I kept it clean, thinking it’d help business for me to accept shots and be social. I was happy to take the edge off.
“What up, girlie?” Jace hopped over to the bar and propped himself up, leaning all the way over to give me a kiss. “We came to see your new digs.”
He pulled his glasses down his nose and looked around. “Not bad.” His eyes caught hold of Rick. “Well hell-O there.” He took a step in his direction.
“Jace,” I warned. “Don’t even think about it. That’s my boss.”
“Well, maybe I can put in a good word for you.” He wiggled his eyebrows and tried to veer off in that direction again.
“Jace, I’m serious. No!”
“Oh, fine.” He pouted perfectly plump lips. “You’re such a grandma Mary. Why do you hate me?”
“You’re so dramatic. Go find a different piece of meat. There’s plenty to choose from.” I waved him off, dismissing him into the crowd.
He stomped off in a huff, which only lasted a few feet before I heard, “Heyyy . . .” And he made a sharp left turn, honing in on a group of tasty men.
I shook my head, grabbing a bottle of Jameson.
Sandra looked over at me, eyes bright and hopeful. I knew how long it’d been since she’d been on a date. “I, uh, think I’ll go stick by him.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” I laughed.
“Hey, Ri—“ The sight of a goo-goo eyed Jessie, kneeling on a stool, and talking to Rick, interrupted my thoughts. My mouth hung open as I watched him stare back at her with a similar expression.
Jasmine nudged me. “Grab the tequila for me, would ya?” When I didn’t respond, she followed my line of sight. “Didn’t know they were sweet on each other, huh? He’d never admit it, though.”
I shook my head. “Guess not. But they’re a good match.”
“Probably not gonna happen. I’ve never seen Rick tied down.” She reached over me and grabbed the liquor before walking off.
“Ahem,” Blake cleared his throat. He was on his fifth nipple, but I hadn’t stuck around to witness any more of them.
“Ready for another?” I glanced over.
His lip curled. “I don’t want to spoil myself with too many nipples at once. I’ll take a Blue Moon this time.”
He was a blue moon.
“Sure thing.”
As I set his glass down on the bar, a familiar voice overtook the speakers coming from the cover band. I turned so fast, the air whooshed around me.
No. He. Was. Not.
Jace was behind the mic as Kryptonite by Three Doors Down blared. Our eyes locked and with one finger, he summoned me over. This was our song.
Oh, he was not doing this to me right now!
Rick looked back and forth between Jace and me. Eyes twinkling with excitement, he shoved me out from behind the bar. I straightened my legs and pushed back, trying to gain traction, but it was no use. I stumbled next to Jace, who was proudly belting lyrics like a rock star, and he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me close so we could both sing into the microphone.
I started out weak at first, mortified, but then the familiar rush took over. We rocked out together, the way we always did. That song summed up our friendship, and we sang it proudly.
The crowd turned wild as we finished off the last note. Blake had vacated his post, and I spotted him leaning against the entryway, his expression a mixture of awe and turned on.