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She lays her hand over mine. “Don’t be nervous. He’s one of Max’s guys, he’s a good guy. For Max to hire someone, he would have combed through his life with a lice comb.”
I snicker and itch my scalp. I didn’t need that metaphor. Now, I’ll be itching all freaking night. She’s right though. I turn my head and sneak a glance at the mystery man. Thankfully, he’s not looking back right now. He laughs at something Stone says, pulling the beer to his lips. I watch his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he downs his drink. When he places it on the table, he looks in our direction. He smiles and holds his empty beer bottle up. He is gorgeous, that’s for certain. His boyish looks are a stark contrast to the man I can see underneath that sweet smile and blue eyes.
“Looks like your admirer needs another beer.”
I groan, grabbing another beer from the fridge. “Tell me again why I keep working here?” I reach into my back pocket, pull the warm metal bottle opener out and with one flip, the top pops off.
“Because you love me.” She blows me a kiss and smacks my ass as I walk away.
“I’m sure it’s the money,” I say over my shoulder. She giggles because she knows it’s true. The money is great here. Ocean’s is the prime location, closest bar to the beach which keeps us slammed every night. I’ve been able to pay for college, bills, and put a little extra away each month.
“I’m assuming you want this?” I say, placing the bottle in front of him and picking up the empty one.
“Thanks.” My body hums to life at the timbre of his voice. From one word. Really, Ell? It hasn’t been that long.
“Ellie, this is Kase. Kase, Ellie,” Stone says, waving his beer in between us.
Kase holds his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Ellie.” His words lace with a polite southern accent. One I know too well and am usually turned off by, but not his. His sounds like a warm blanket you want wrapped around yourself on a frigid night. Except, as soon as I wrap myself in it, I’d suffocate from the heat.
I slip my hand in his. “You can call me Ell.” His smile widens like he’s enjoying an inside joke. I wait for the pick-up line that follows introductions from guys at the bar, but his smile stays plastered on his face. I’d rather have the pick-up line than the enamored stare. My exit is a lot easier when the guy is a douche, unlike this one, staring up at me like I hung the moon.
I clear my throat. “So, Stone, do you need anything?” I glance over at the other guys, searching for an out. Stone’s gaze moves from me to Kase and back to me. He’s as confused as I am.
“Nah, we’re good,” he says, picking up his full beer.
“Great. Call me when y’all need something.” My words are barely out of my mouth before I pivot and make a beeline for the bar.
I hear Stone say behind me, “You sure you’re a SEAL? I think your balls shriveled up in the cold, murky waters.” The table burst out laughing. A SEAL, huh? Why does that make him that much hotter? Especially after what just happened. I stop and check on a couple of other tables.
The old-fashion jukebox retrofitted to play thousands of songs, turns on from the corner of the bar. I glance over at the big burly guy trying to dance to “I’m Too Sexy,” by Right Said Fred. Why do we still have this song on the list? It’s like a magnet for drunk guys. What happens next is so predictable, I could broadcast a live commentary. It never fails. Yep, there it is. Off comes the shirt. At least this guy is entertaining and not trying to rub himself on women. Hoots and hollers come from the patrons, urging him on. He starts cat-walking on our tiny dance floor. It’s funny to see his sunburn outlined where his tank top was, obviously not enough liquid courage to take off the shirt at the beach today. Unlike right now as he does the worm across the floor.
“Every. Time.” Tori walks up to my side and we watch the grown man make a fool of himself.
“I hope he wasn’t planning on picking up a woman tonight,” a sexy voice says. We both turn inward to find Kase standing behind us.
“That is for damn sure.” Her eyes trail down his body and she lets out a low hum. If I wasn’t standing so close, I wouldn’t have been able to hear her over the music. I tap her on the hip to stop. A wicked smile grows on Kase’s face. I guess the music isn’t that loud.
“Need another beer?”
“After watching that” —he points to the guy pushing up on all fours, trying to stand up— “definitely. But I need the bathroom first.” We admire his backside as he walks off. He stops and turns toward me, opening his arms wide. “Sorry about earlier. I needed a map to find my way back, I was lost in your eyes.” He winks and turns to walk away.
Tori and I burst out laughing. “Awe, c’mon. You can do better than that, Cowboy,” I call out to him. He motions like he’s tipping an invisible cowboy hat right before he disappears into the men's bathroom.
“If I were you, I’d follow him into the bathroom and screw his brains out.”
“Tori!” I stare at her dumbfounded. “That’s just gross.”
She grabs her rag from her back pocket and cleans off the table next to us. “You’re so full of shit, Ell. Remember, I know about Steve.”
She won’t ever forget that. Just once, I let loose and the only mistake I made was telling her what I did. It also wasn’t at a bar where god knows what is on the stall doors. I shiver just thinking about it. It was at an upscale restaurant where each bathroom had its own room and what looked to be clean. I push in the chairs and we both head back to the bar. “Shh. That was a one-time thing. And I knew Steve. He wasn’t some hot stranger I followed into a bar bathroom.”
She shrugs. “You could take him to the backroom. There’s a bed. Just give me a heads up and I’ll stay away. Maybe.”
I chuckle. “You’re such a perv. You would so peek.” I snap her with a towel on the ass and then run out from behind the bar. “If you want to see me naked, all you have to do is ask,” I say with a smirk and blow her a kiss.
“It’s that easy, huh?”
Shit.
