AllFreeNovel
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“I’m learning that,” she says with a wry grin. She glances down the bar at the guys. “It’s not that I mind all the hot male company; it’s just nice to have a female around.” She bumps her shoulder into mine and drinks more of her cocktail. “At least they’re easy on the eyes.”
My stare lingers on Sam. He’s dressed casually tonight in jeans and a T-shirt. But it does nothing to hide his broad shoulders and cut arms. He’s laughing at something Cruz said. An attractive bartender stops by and leans in front of Sam. She tilts her head coyly and presses forward, her cleavage spilling from her low-cut top, her attention focused solely on the blonde-haired hockey center.
“He attracts women like flies to honey,” Addison murmurs while still watching them.
“Yep.” I nod. “He always has.”
“Did you know him before?”
“We went to the same college.”
Widened eyes find me as she swivels her neck in my direction. “You knew Sam in college?”
“Not really. I knew of him.”
“What was he like?” she asks.
I nod in their direction. “Just like that.”
The bartender is laughing flirtatiously, her wide smile centered on Sam as if he’s the best thing in the place. Even though there are three other attractive athletes sitting with him, the hockey forward is the star attraction.
“He is hot,” Addison murmurs.
Something protective stirs low in my belly, and I frown when I feel it. I shouldn’t care that Addison is attracted to Sam. Most women are. And he is hot. The more I’m around him, the more I witness the magnetism he holds. It’s likely how he managed to snag a catch like Oakley years ago, and it’s why he has the full attention of the bartender right now.
I watch as he smirks at her. Sam’s always been a flirt, and that won’t change just because I’m here and his image needs an overhaul. He is who he is.
“How do you manage to be around him all the time and not become obsessed with him?”
I snort. “Just get to know him better. You’ll see why for yourself. He’s arrogant and self-centered. Selfish. A womanizer.” I need to keep repeating all his bad qualities to myself when I notice his good looks a little too much.
“If only that were enough to keep me away,” Addison sighs. “I’m a magnet for bad boys. I love them.” She drains her drink and orders another when another bartender passes by.
“You can have him,” I say, ignoring the weird feeling that is still in my stomach.
Addison sips her fresh drink when it’s placed in front of her. “Whew,” she gasps. “I need to slow down. I haven’t eaten since this morning, and this alcohol is going straight to my head.”
I laugh when she toasts me again, some of her drink spilling over the side of the glass. She’s quickly becoming tipsy. I sip my soda.
“You know,” a deep voice says from beside me, “it’s bad luck to toast with water.”
I turn to see a man wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled along his forearms, sitting on the stool beside me. He’s an attractive executive type.
“It isn’t water,” I inform him. “It’s Sprite.”
“That’s just as bad.” He smirks. I can smell the liquor on his breath. “Let me buy you a drink.” He signals to the bartender.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m good.”
He ignores me, glancing at Addison’s cocktail before ordering a cosmopolitan. He slides it in front of me when it’s delivered. I push it in front of Addison, but she’s talking to the woman beside her so she doesn’t notice at first.
“Well, that’s not very nice,” the guy says, leaning closer. I press further into Addison. “A guy buys you a drink, you should take it.”
“Thanks, but I’m not drinking tonight.”
He’s pushy and somewhat arrogant, and I don’t like the way he doesn’t respect my personal space.
“Our pizza is here!” Addison squeals, redirecting my attention.
