“This is it!” Tink unbuckles her seatbelt, opening the door and rushing out before I have the chance to even put the truck into park.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d at least give me the opportunity to be a gentleman,” I admonish when I join her in the gravel lot.
Her hand rests on her hip. “What are you talking about?”
“I would’ve liked to open your door and help you down...hold your hand and escort you into the place...You know, like a real date.”
“Jeffrey, we’re fucking...exclusively. We’re not dating.”
Ouch. I feel my face fall and quickly school my features, hoping she can’t see the disappointment.
“Dating involves feelings, Jeffrey, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid, remember? You don’t have to work to impress me. It’s yours,” she winks. “At least for now. Besides, I’m not used to boys doing that kind of thing anyway. I don’t need it.”
Are the men around here not brought up with respect? I was taught to always treat a woman like a lady. “I need it, Gina,” I say, jabbing my thumb into my chest with each word. “When you’re with me, I take care of you.”
Her eyes widen, and she stares back at me in shock and maybe a little annoyance.
“I open the fucking doors.”
“Oh...uh. Okay, CEO. If it makes you feel more like a man, I’ll let you open my doors.” She tilts her head to the side, batting her long lashes. “You wanna come get this one for me?” Her head tilts toward the wood door beneath the lopsided, hot pink neon sign flashing T-Boys. “Spence just texted, asking where we’re at.”
Nodding, I take a few steps, closing the space between us and lace my fingers in hers. “We’re friends, Tink. That doesn’t mean I can’t treat you like a lady.”
She snorts. “Well, you’re the first to ever accuse me of being that.”
After pulling the door opened, I grab her arm as she starts to walk in. “You’re my lady, Tink.”
“For now,” she breathes into my ear before walking past me into the bar.
The entire place, inside and out, is made of cedar. From the walls to the bar to the floor. It gives it a nice, homey feel. Two pool tables sit in the center of the room, and there’s a small stage in the far corner that looks like it doesn’t get much use. There are only a couple other people here. Two over at the pool tables, another fooling with the jukebox. The couple at the bar who are so engrossed with each other that they haven’t noticed Gina standing right beside them must be Spencer and Cooper.
“Ahem,” Tink clears her throat loudly to capture their attention.
“Gina. There you are!”
Tink’s eyes rove over her bestie’s body. “It’s so nice to see you out of the house and dressed in something other than yoga pants. You look amazing.”
The raven-haired beauty frowns. “Yeah, well, I feel like a fat ass.” I remember how self-conscious Jess was after she had Evangeline. It took well over a year for her to feel good about herself again. For having just had twins, I think she looks amazing.
“You’re beautiful,” her husband says, squeezing her thigh beneath the bar. I turn my head as to not intrude upon their moment. “And so fucking sexy,” he adds, nibbling on her ear.
“Josie!” Tink shouts, smacking her hand down on the bar a few times. “I need a cranberry and vodka.” Then she looks up at me. “What’re you having, Jeff?”
“I’ll have a Bud Light.”
“And a Bud Light!” That girl has got a set of pipes on her for sure.
“Thanks, Tink.” It’s a little weird having a girl order for me, but I decide to keep that thought to myself. Doors first...one step at a time.
“I’m Cooper, Spencer’s husband.” He reaches his hand out. “I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about her.”
“Jeff,” I answer, shaking his hand. “Yeah, from what I gather these two are thick as thieves.”
Coop chokes on his beer. “Ya got that right. And just as fucking sneaky.” He turns to look at the girls, who are already deep in conversation. There’s a great deal of pride and admiration in his face. “You gotta watch those two, man. Two for the price of one...You piss one off, you deal with both. Always remember that.”
“Remember what?” his wife, Spencer asks, sticking her hand out for mine. “I’m Spence, nice to meet you Jeff. I’ve heard good things.” Her brows waggle and I know she’s referring to the size of my dick. This could be the most awkward introduction of my life.
“I was just telling him how you and Gina are a packaged deal,” he answers, smiling lovingly at his wife.
Spencer beams. “Double the fun.”
“Yeah...I was thinking more along the lines of double the trouble.”
“Well, who’s your good lookin’ friend, Gina?” the bartender asks, leaning over with her forearms resting on the top of the bar, displaying a hefty helping of cleavage.
“Back off, Josie,” Spencer warns. “He’s with Gina.”
Josie, a pretty little blonde with next to no clothes, cowgirl boots, and a smile as sweet as iced tea, laughs. “Please. Everybody knows, ain’t nobody with Gina...well, not longer than for a night or two anyhow.”
“Well,” I drawl, interrupting their conversation. “I plan to be with Tink for as long as she’ll put up with me.” With an arm around her bare shoulders, I pull her close. She surprises me by wrapping an arm around my waist and grabbing a handful of my ass. I never know what to expect with her.
“Well, you’ve got a lot,”—her eyes drop to my crotch—“working in your favor, CEO.”
“Oooooh, girl...I thought you didn’t fall in love?” Josie presses. “Looks like you got it bad.”
“She’s not in love,” Spence answers in a mocking tone. “The girl done went and got dickstruck.”
Every last drop of blood in my body rushes to my face. “Thanks, Gina,” I mutter.
“Remember fart girl?” She purses her lips, narrowing her eyes at me. “Payback’s a motherfucker. Remember that. I will always get mine.”
“Wait?” Coop says, holding his hand up. “Who’s fart girl?”
“Don’t you dare,” my little vixen warns, shooting me daggers.
After a few drinks and some small talk, Josie comes up with the incredibly stupid idea of playing the dating game.
“Come on, y’all,” she slurs. “It’s gonna be fun.”
“But we’re married,” Coop argues. “Not dating.”
“Yeah, and we’re just fucking,” I say, motioning between Tink and myself.
“Jeez, CEO. You make us sound so cheap,” my tipsy fuckbuddy whines.
I pull her into my lap, nibbling on her ear. “But, it’s really good. Really high-quality fucking.”
“Damn straight it is.”
“All right. Deep-V Diver,” Josie says, eyeing me with a grin. “And you too, Coop. Go pick a few songs on the jukebox and don’t come back ’til I holler for ya.”
Begrudgingly Cooper and I walk to the other end of the bar. “This is going to be so bad,” he grumbles. “Hope you’re prepared to sleep on the sofa.”
“Maybe for you,” I snicker. “You’re married. You have to know everything. Tink and I are just getting to know each other.”
There’s a long silence while we each take a turn filling the jukebox queue.
“Be careful with her, Jeffrey,” Coop warns out of the blue. I get the feeling he’s been waiting to get me alone and has finally decided to take his shot while he’s got it. “Lord knows I am not the one to give dating advice. I lost fifteen years with Spence before getting her back, due to my own stupidity.” He shakes his head in disgust. “Just know Gina’s not as tough as she seems.”
“I’ll do my best,” I assure him, impressed by the fact that he stood up for her. I’m glad she has friends like Cooper and Spencer in her life.
“Boys! Come on back,” Josie shouts, waving at us with both hands in the air.
I start to head back for the bar when I feel a hand clamp my shoul
der. “Do better than try, CEO.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
GINA
“READY, BOYS?” JOSIE asks the men when the men return to their stools at the bar, looking like they’re headed for war. They are so ridiculous.
Both of them answer at the same time. “No.” It takes all of my strength not to laugh at how green in the face they both are. What the hell do they think’s gonna happen?
“So, I asked the ladies here what their favorite thing was about each of you,” Josie says, pulling her clipboard out from beneath the counter. “Cooper, you can go first.”
“Shit,” Coop groans, knowing full well how competitive Spencer is. “Did she go funny or serious with the answers?”
Josie wags her finger at him. “Can’t tell you that. Just answer the way you think your wife would have answered.”
He worries his lip, giving the question a lot of thought. Really, the answer is so damn obvious. “Ummm. I think Spencer’s favorite thing about me is...my...hair?” Or, not...
“Your hair, Cooper? Really?” Spencer gives him the cold shoulder and a look of disgust.
“BAMP!” Josie shouts. “Wrong answer. Spencer said her favorite thing about Coop was what an amazing father he is to their five children.”
“Awwww,” Josie and I chime together as Spencer glares at her husband out of the corner of her eye.
“Jeffrey, I asked Gina here the same question.”
“That’s easy,” he says grinning ear to ear. “My cock.” He blurts out that answer without reservation. Have I mentioned how much better I like his stuffy ass drunk?
“Ding! Ding! Ding!” Josie chimes. “One point for team Fuck Buddies.”
Jeff and I slap each other double high-fives.
“Get your shit together, Cooper Hebert,” my drunk best friend warns her husband.
Josie pops the caps off two beer bottles and sets them on the bar in front of the men before continuing. “Question number two. I asked the girls if they thought you’d rather go swimming with ducks or turtles.”
Cooper smiles big, ready to redeem himself. There’s no way he’ll miss it. Sea turtles are Spencer’s favorite. “Turtles.”
“Yes!” Spencer shouts, wrapping her arms around her husband’s neck. “You’re amazing. I love you so much.”
And...now her tongue is down his throat. Bipolar much?
“Beaver Basher?” Josie chuckles, looking to Jeffrey. “Same question.” He may just club me to death with that big dick by the time this night is over if Josie doesn’t cut it out.
I suck in my lips, trying my best to hide a smile. He’s going to fucking hate me when he hears my answer.
His head drops into his hand, shaking side to side as he tugs his blond locks. “Dolphins.” Jeff looks over and glares my way. “There’s no way she gave any answer other than dolphins.”
Josie’s mouth falls open in shock. She was so sure he wouldn’t get it since my answer wasn’t even a choice. But I was willing to get it wrong just to see the look on his face.
“Such bullshit,” my moody best friend growls, slamming her fist down on the bar.
“That’s one point each for teams Wedded Bliss and Fuck Buddies. Fuck Buddies are up by one. The final question asked was, what do they think is your greatest fear?” She looks to Cooper for his answer.
“Losing you again,” Coop says, to his wife, without needing a single second to think it over. Spence nods, her eyes welling with tears, and smashes her lips against his.
“Alrighty then.” Josie looks pointedly at the married couple eating each others’ faces then back to us. “Jeff?”
He sets his beer down on the cocktail napkin in front of him and gets this vacant look in his shimmering blue eyes. “Not being the father my wife would have wanted for my girls.” His voice cracks, and he clears his throat. His Adam’s apple bobs with a hard swallow.
Josie, Spencer, and my eyes all fill with tears at the sight of this broken man. It suddenly feels like I’m drowning in a pool of water, the thickness of the moment suffocating me.
“She answered, ‘disappointing your children.’ ” Josie’s voice is heavy with emotion. “She didn’t mention your wife. I’m sorry.” Her apology is obviously for more than just missing a question in this stupid game. “I’m going to have to mark that as a no and call a draw...Be right back.” Josie rushes off to the little office behind the bar dabbing at her tears with a napkin.
After composing herself, our favorite bartender returns with shots of Fireball on the house. “For being such good sports.” She sets two in front of each of us, and we toss them back immediately, but in no way does it feel like a celebration.
“Thanks, Josie.”
“Dance with me.” I grab hold of Jeffrey’s hand and gently pull. He’s been a little off since that last question. Hell, we all have. I’m desperate to feel close to him again. I’m trying to be understanding and not to let it get to me when he brings Jessica up. I know he’s hurting, and I hate that I sometimes feel jealousy over a woman who did nothing wrong. It’s just hard when I constantly feel like I’m competing with her ghost. But, competing for what, exactly? Jeff and I are friends. Just friends. And I want him to feel comfortable talking to me, even if it’s about her. No matter how much this hurts, it can’t even compare with the pain he must feel in his heart.
“Sure, yeah.” His smile feels strained, and it makes my heart lurch. There’s a heaviness hanging in the air between us. I hate it.
When we reach the dance floor, I slide my hands up his chest slowly, lacing my fingers behind his neck. His heart is like a jackhammer pounding against his chest, hard and fast. The beginning chords to Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran drift from the speakers. Of all songs...why this one? In the very first line he asks the girl to give him “love like her.” And it hits so close to home that I find myself trembling in Jeffrey’s arms. My throat swells, feeling tight, and my lips begin to quiver. Stop it, Gina. Stop it, now. But I can’t stop the tears from building in my eyes. From rolling down my cheeks.
He pulls me tighter, dropping his lips to my neck and feathering light kisses along the sensitive skin, setting my blood on fire. Our bodies move so perfectly in tune to the music. To each other. “I’m sorry, Tink,” he whispers against my ear.
“I’m fine,” I lie, burying my face into his shoulder.
“I’m hurting you.”
Shaking my head, I pull back so that he can see my face, so he believes that I mean what I’m about to say. “You didn’t.” My head shakes. “You didn’t hurt me, Jeffrey. I had a little too much to drink, and I’m feeling overly emotional. I’m sad for you. Not because of you.”
He stares into my eyes, searching for the truth, and I don’t know whether or not he can see through the lie I want to believe so badly, but his hand grips my chin and his mouth molds to mine. His kiss is slow and sure and feels more intimate than any other we’ve shared. He’s making love to my mouth, apologizing to me in the language in which we communicate best. My knees grow weak, and my heart begins to race. I’m not even sure how many songs we spend out on that dance floor, healing our broken hearts, but at some point Spencer is there tapping me on the shoulder.
“Hey, babe. Sorry to interrupt. Coop and I are gonna head home, and I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” She sighs deeply. “I’m exhausted.”
Pulling my lips from Jeff’s, I swipe the back of my hand over my mouth. “Gosh, I’m sorry Spence. I’m ignoring you.”
“Girl. Shut up. Do not even go there. We see each other all the time.” Her attention diverts to my date. “I had a great time, and it was so nice to meet you, Jeffrey.”
The flush of embarrassment at being interrupted that erupts on Jeff’s cheeks is the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. “Thanks, Spencer. It was really nice meeting you both as well.”
“You ready to head home—uh, I mean, back to my place?” I ask once Spence and Coop are gone.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Don’t.” He gives me what I presume are his daddy eyes, dark and ominous.
My hand jerks back from the handle, an automatic response to his authoritative tone. Normally, I’d tell a guy to fuck right off for ordering me around, but when Jeff does it, butterflies flutter in my tummy.
I watch as he exits the vehicle and walks around to my side. The door opens, but instead of offering me his hand like I’m expecting, he slips one arm through my bent knees and scoops me up, cradling my body against his hard chest, causing me to yelp in surprise.
“I’ve been waiting all night for this, Tink,” Jeffrey rasps, staring deep into my eyes, bringing my vaginal heartbeat back with a vengeance. Then his lips seize mine as he starts for the apartment, kicking the truck door shut with his foot. Little moans and grunts escape from the back of his throat and send a jolt right between my legs. I fucking love the noises he makes.
When we reach the door, he finally sets me to my feet, strumming his fingers on the frame with impatience as I fish through my purse for the keys and unlock the apartment.
“Do you want anything to eat or drink?” My voice shakes with need as I set my purse and keys down on the little console table at the entrance.
“No.” He untucks his black button down from his jeans and slips out of his shoes. “I just need you, Tink.” That broken look from earlier is back. I want to be his relief. I don’t care if he’s just using me. I will martyr myself if it eases even an ounce of the heartache reflected in those baby blues.
“You have me, Jeff,” I breathe against his lips, and his tongue darts out, licking the seam of my mouth. “Take me.”
His hands grip the backs of my thighs, just below the hem of my dress, and he lifts me off the floor. I wrap my legs around his waist and my hands grip two fistfuls of his hair, as he starts for the bedroom, his lips never abandoning mine.
When he sets me down on the edge of the bed, I attack his belt and button, pulling out his already hard cock and bringing it to my lips. I’m so consumed with the need to make him feel good that my own relief is no longer at the forefront of my priorities.
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