by Lisa Sommers
I whip my gaze up, only to notice she is staring at my parted lips.
“I think I need to eat something,” she mutters. “I haven’t eaten all day, and the way I’m drinking . . . nothing good can come of it.”
Is she suggesting she would do something with me . . . to me? Fuck. Yesterday, I would have suggested ordering another drink and getting this party started. Today, after meeting Alli . . . no way. As much as I want in her panties, I’m not going there. There’s something about this girl that sets me on me edge. An edge I’d gladly leap off if it meant saving her from self-destruction.
I rotate my chair slightly and raise my arm to get the attention of our waitress. She immediately saunters over and asks, “Another round?”
“Food. Could we have a menu, please?”
“I’m sorry, the kitchen is closing.”
I hear Alli let out a huff, so I twist in my chair and redirect my attention back to our waitress. “Can you please check with the cook to see if he has anything worth snacking on?” It doesn’t come out as a question, and it makes me feel bad for putting her in this position, but I will do whatever it takes to bring Alli back to her playful mood.
“I’ll check.” She looks annoyed, but she still turns around and makes her way through a swinging door against the back wall.
“Thanks.” The look in Alli’s eyes makes me give myself an internal high-five. I’m reeling her back in.
I smile at her hopeful gaze.
“You’re in luck.” Damn, if this waitress doesn’t have the worst timing, as she interrupts every moment I want to spend looking into Alli’s eyes. “The cook just so happens to have a rotisserie chicken that he cooked for himself to take home, but said he is willing to part with it since he’s not that hungry anymore.”
“We’ll take it,” Alli pipes in without hesitation.
“A whole chicken.” My amusement warrants a glare from Alli. I hold my hands up in the air in surrender. “Give this beautiful girl her chicken.”
The curve of Alli’s lips reach all the way up to her high cheekbones, and her eyes sparkle with contentment. She’s stunning. She looks at me with genuine satisfaction in her eyes.
“What?” I whisper.
She just shakes her head and lifts her beer for another drink. I see the tension begin to release from her shoulders again, and it makes me grin with satisfaction as well. At least I know I am the one who put her at ease.
I still want to know about this “Jackass” though. What the fuck did he do to her?
I lean back in my chair and study her features. I wonder where my plan goes from here, since I seem to be flying blind. Just then, the waitress with impeccable timing shows up with two plates and a platter of golden brown chicken.
She sets it down and I notice Alli’s eyes widen with worry. “That’s a lot of chicken,” she says.
I can’t contain my laughter. She is so darn cute.
“You’re going to eat some of this, aren’t you?” she asks. “I certainly can’t eat all of this by myself.”
“You said you were hungry. Far be it from me to take food from a starving woman.” I’m teasing of course, but I want to see that smile again.
And there it is.
That smile.
“You are so eating some of this chicken.” She grabs my plate and sets it in front of her. As if I were a child, she begins to cut through the bird and puts a big chunk on my plate. She hands it back to me, then does the same for herself, and wastes no time diving in.
I sneak quick glances at Alli as she eats in silence. She really is hungry. I catch her several times looking up at me as well. I wonder what she is thinking. Shit, if the guys saw me right now they would hang my nuts out to dry.
Alli throws her napkin on the table in front of her after wiping her mouth. “I am so full now,” she mutters, not so much to me, but out loud so that I can hear her.
On the side of the plate is a wishbone that Alli carefully pulled out of the chicken. I wonder if she plans on keeping it, or if she would allow me to make a wish with her.
I can’t keep my gaze off of her. I am still flying by the seat of my pants here. What the hell am I doing? Just then, the waitress returns to gather our dishes. She’s about to walk away, when Alli blurts out, “The wishbone!”
It catches the waitress off guard, and she nearly drops the plates.
Without thinking, I stand up, take the few steps until I reach her, and grab the wishbone off the platter. I turn around, only to be rewarded with that smile.
God, she’s fucking beautiful.
Alli lays out a napkin on the center of the table and waits until I set the wishbone down on it.
“Sorry, I just need all the luck I can get.” She lowers her head, cheeks flushed.
I’m mesmerized by her sweet demeanor. However, if she thinks making a wish on some fucking bone will change her life for the better, she’s in more agony than I originally thought.
“I just . . .”
“It’s okay,” I whisper, then reach for her hand one more time. This time she doesn’t pull away. The look in her saddened eyes nearly breaks me. I would strangle that jackass if he were here.
“It will be, won’t it?” Her big green eyes stare up at me, full of tears. On instinct, I stand, grip her hand, and pull her to me. Alli instantly wraps her arms around my waist and sighs.
I’ve never been good at consoling women. Sticking around wasn’t usually my thing.
Until now.
My heart is hammering out of my chest; I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t know what to do in this kind of situation, or because Alli feels so fucking good pressed up against me. I’m sure she can feel the pounding rhythm of my chest. I tenderly rub my hands up and down her back, while pulling her tight against me. If only we weren’t in this damn airport.
I reluctantly pull back, already missing her warmth. “Come here.” I grip her shoulders and gently push them down, making her sit back in her seat. I follow along right beside her and reach for the wishbone. Technically, I know you are supposed to wait a few days to let the bone dry out, but I don’t feel like waiting.
She eyes me skeptically, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Wiping it with the back of her hand, she apologizes for leaving my shirt with the remnants of her tears.
I hold the wishbone out to her and watch as she slowly loops her delicate pinky around the thin bone. Then I follow suit. We sit facing one another with nothing between us but the idea that this bone will answer all of our hopes and dreams . . . or maybe just a little luck thrown our way.
I see her close her eyes tight, and I know she is making a wish before we rip this wishbone in half. I close my eyes and do the same. I’m sure my wish is much simpler than hers, and it takes everything in me to not ask her what she wished for. As for mine, it’s simple.
My wish is to never miss one more of those sexy, bone-melting smiles of hers for the rest of my life.
Simple.
Right?
Chapter 3
Alli
I don’t know what’s come over me. I’m fine one minute, while flirting with a hot guy in an airport, and then next I’m sobbing against his chest. Which, by the way, is very well defined. I’d be content to have his scent wrapped around me for the rest of the night. But instead, he pulls back. He must think I am a total nut case. Chris seems to want to run for a second, but then decides to give me hope. He picks up the wishbone and asks me to make a wish.
“Come on. Pull it.” His stern voice strikes me with hope.
“But, what if I don’t win?” What if I pull on the wishbone and Chris ends up with the better half of the bone? It would just prove that I am destined to be miserable for the rest of my life.
He reaches up with his other hand, gently rubs the pad of his thumb down my cheek, and whispers, “Listen, whether this bone breaks in your favor or not, it’s just a stupid bone.” His eyes train on mine, and just as I am about to tell him off for crushing my last shred of luck, I see the since
rity in his gaze. It’s like he can see right through me. What is with this guy, and why has he taken an interest in me? “Don’t let fate be determined by the breast bone of a god damned chicken, Alli. Take a hold of it and run. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want, be anything you want. Besides, either way, sweetheart, you’ll win. We’ll both win. Trust me.”
I’m not sure what he means by that, but by the gleam in his eye I get the feeling that his wish is on my behalf, and that does a little something to my heart. I offer up a light-hearted smile, and the grin that forms on his handsome face makes it all worth it.
He is stunningly handsome.
I start to pull on my half of the wishbone, just as Chris tugs on his. I squeeze my eyes shut one last time, before making one final pull. The pub around us has all of a sudden become quiet, except for the sound of mine and Chris’ breathing. He is so close that I can feel his breath on my cheeks. I take a small peek and notice Chris’ eyes are tightly shut. Damn him for trying to crush my luck. He seems to be wishing for something to come true more than me. Closing my eyes once again, I make one last request for this stupid chicken bone to grant me happiness.
I hear the crackle of bone and quickly open my eyes. Even though I know he is correct about this stupid bone giving me luck, I shout loud enough to startle the waitress walking by. “I win. I have the bigger part of the bone!”
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs, while running his thumb down my cheek, then down my neck. His gaze travels the trail of lust he leaves behind.
His lips part and, without thinking, I leap out of my seat and into his lap. My legs straddle his hips on the bench seat as I wrap my arms around his neck. His body stills for just a moment, until he feels me melt against his firm body. Once again, I have no idea what’s come over me. I pull my head back slightly, look up into his eyes, and crash my lips against his.
I taste the remnants of beer and the saltiness from the chicken on his soft lips, and it reminds me of the wish I just made.
Happiness.
I don’t think meeting a guy in an airport and sucking his face will bring me any closer to that dream, but then again, it can’t hurt. Besides, I’ll never see him again. I’m single, so why not? He’s single. Then it dawns on me. Is he single? Oh my god, what if he has a girlfriend . . . or wife?
Pure dread washes over me and I can’t help but think how this must look to him.
Desperate.
After everything I went through with Jack, I would never willingly put someone else in a situation like that.
“I’m sorry”—my voice breaks—“I didn’t mean . . . ” I’m so embarrassed, and I’m sure he can tell by the red flush spreading across my face. I pull back and mutter, “I’m not sure why you’re here with me, but . . . thank you.” I can’t look him in the eyes after what I just did to him.
Chris tightens his grip on my arms, not willing to let me retreat. “Don’t thank me. There’s no place else I’d rather be.” His voice is raspy and sexy, and his piercing gaze has me a little off. But, in a good way. It’s like he doesn’t want this moment to end. His eyes trail down to my parted lips and, without hesitation, he removes one hand from my arm and threads his fingers through the back of my hair. He pulls lightly, making my hair fall to one side, then he leans in, parts his lips, and places them on my neck.
I audibly gasp as his lips, tongue, and fingers make their way down to the curve of my neck. My eyes flutter closed as I soak in the feeling of someone paying me so much attention.
It’s been so long since I’ve done anything so reckless, so spontaneous, so . . . “Ahh.” The sensation of his warm touch is unbelievable. Chris tugs on the collar of my shirt and runs his tongue along my collarbone. The palms of my hands splay over his shirt covering his well-defined chest, and I feel my way over his pecs until they rest on his shoulders.
The screech of a chair pulls me out of my dream-like state, making me realize where I am. I’m in a crowded airport, making out with a complete stranger. I abruptly push against his chest and slide my body off of his.
I raise my hand and, within seconds, the waitress makes her way over. I stand facing Chris, but my voice is not directed to him. “Please bring me another beer . . . and a shot of whiskey.”
“Absolutely. Anything for you, hot stuff?” The giggle in her voice tells me she just witnessed everything.
“Same,” Chris tells her, but he keeps his gaze on mine.
I hear her feet shuffle across the floor as she leaves. I almost wish she would stay and save me from further embarrassment. Almost. “Maybe I should go back to the room.”
“No.” His response is immediate.
The look on his face bleeds with regret, although he has no reason to regret anything. I’m the one that jumped in his lap, and I’m the one that pressed my lips against his. Not that he didn’t seem to mind.
My focus immediately lowers to his mouth. His perfect mouth. The soft lines that crease as he smiles. Shit. He’s smiling. Oh God, he sees me staring at his mouth. My eyes dart back up to his, but it’s too late. He’s already caught me ogling him . . . again.
“You don’t need to go anywhere,” he says. “Sit.”
I stand still for just a moment, before lowering myself into the chair across from him.
“Nah ah.”
I look up at the sound of his voice.
“Sit here.” He pats the seat next to him, where I was originally sitting.
“But . . .” I protest.
“Here,” he demands.
I want to tell him off, but for some reason his demands are fueling the flames within me. Jack was demanding, but this is a whole new kind of command. It’s sexy.
I straighten back up and make my way back around to where I was sitting right before I jumped his bones.
The waitress reappears from the bar with our drinks, wearing a smirk that kicks the red in my face up a notch. I’m so embarrassed.
Chris and I sit in silence, until he raises his shot of whiskey and clinks my glass against his. “Bottoms up.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I whisper, not intending for Chris to hear.
No such luck.
He nearly chokes on the liquid in his mouth. “Wow, already picturing us naked, huh?” He chortles. “And I thought I was fast.”
I down my shot, and immediately reach for my beer. I take a big gulp, trying to at least build up my alter-ego enough to not hide from saying or doing anymore stupid things.
Chris lays a hand on my knee and says, “Relax. It was just a kiss.” His voice is soft, and it relaxes me just enough to sink comfortably into my seat.
Just a kiss. Even I know that was not just a kiss. It was much more than that.
“So, was that your wish?” He asks.
He’s making fun of me know. “No! Arrogant much?” I ask, whisking my head around.
I’m not really expecting an answer, but he gives me one anyway, with a smirk on his face that makes me want to slap it. “Usually.”
I ignore his arrogance and turn my gaze away from him, mainly because there is nothing I want more at this moment than to just pull his face back to mine and suck on those soft lips just a little bit longer. Damn me for betraying myself. I shouldn’t be so concerned anyway; it’s not like I’m ever going to see him again.
After a moment of silence, I interrupt the awkwardness. “I’ve always wanted him,” I say as I point to the entrance of the pub.
He follows my gaze, then scrunches his eyebrows and comments, “Wow, if you’re looking for an old bearded man, then I am way out of my league here.”
I can’t help but laugh. “No, not so much the old man, but the cardboard itself. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always wanted the Dos Equis man propped up in my living room.”
Chris chuckles.
“Hey, don’t laugh at me.” I playfully punch his arm, and he dramatically declares fake pain.
“Ouch.”
“Whatever. Anyway, tell m
e. What’s your story?” I try to change the subject, because I can see where this conversation is going. As good-looking as Chris is, I’m not looking for a one-night stand. In an airport, nonetheless.
“What do you want to know?” Chris props his leg up on the bench between us and faces me. Clearly, my diversion isn’t working . . . on either of us. I mimic his actions and hike my leg up next to his. It brushes against his, and he lowers his hand until rests it on my knee. His thumb rubs small circles on me, leaving goosebumps prickling over my whole body.
“Why are you flying to San Diego?” I manage to ask as my insides flutter. What harm could happen if we made out some more?
Chapter 4
Chris
I am more than happy to play this game with her. I can tell by the look in her eye’s that she wants me. It took a little while, but Alli clearly feels this pull between us as much as I do. I nearly lost it when she jumped on my lap. Then that damn waitress proved, once again, that she has bad timing. Bar or not, I would have laid Alli down on this bench and had my way with her. I highly doubt she would’ve resisted either.
“I live in San Diego. I was just visiting my dad for a week.”
I lower my head at the thought of my dad. Damn it!
Alli slowly nods her head. I wonder if she can sense my pain. My dad is sick, and it’s not something I want to talk about with her. I just need a break from everything that he is dealing with. I don’t want to lose this connection with Alli. Lord, just give me one night to lose myself in something that is not filled with pain. Just one night . . . with Alli.
She must notice my quiet retreat, as she decides to change the subject. Alli reading my emotion does nothing but add to my want for her. I shake the thoughts of my dad in that hospital bed to the back of my mind, somewhere I can easily retrieve them once I get back to San Diego.
“Well, maybe I’ll run into you sometime,” she whispers.
I nod. “Maybe.” I can’t help but ponder the idea of seeing Alli again. “I’d like that.”