Rascal

by Katie McCoy

“Congrats.” Sawyer slapped Emerson on the back and gave me a hug. “Does that mean we don’t have to worry about the noise anymore?”

  I laughed. Of course, Sawyer’s number one priority was the bar.

  Not that I minded. The bar was important to Chase, and because it was important to him, it was important to me. And that wasn’t the only reason.

  Surrounded by friends, I looked around a place I had come to consider as much mine as it was Emerson’s. I felt safe here. Happy. And with Emerson at my side, I saw it for what it was. A home. The place where I belonged.

  THE END

  Thanks for reading!

  The series is just getting started, so if you’d like more from the Rascals crew, keep reading: you can peek the first chapter of Chase and Kelsey’s book, WINGMAN, available to order now!

  Five guys. One bar. And a whole heap of sexy trouble…

  WINGMAN

  Rascals: Book Two

  Chase McKenna is the hottest bartender in the city… and he knows it. Sexy, charming, and abs for days? It’s no wonder every girl who walks through the doors is panting for him.

  Except me.

  I’m stuck crushing on my perfect boss, who has zero idea I’m even alive. I need a plan to catch his attention… and who better to teach me the tricks of seduction than Mr. Panty—Dropper himself?

  The rules are simple: no strings, no stress, and definitely no feelings. But it turns out, Chase is way more than I bargained for, and as for the sparks flying between us…?

  You can’t teach chemistry like this.

  Soon, we’re throwing our lesson plan out the window — and our clothes right after it. We’re breaking all the rules, and my heart’s on the line, but now I’m wondering…

  Must all good flings come to an end?

  Order now!

  1

  Kelsey

  He was perfect. Tall, dark-haired, broad shouldered, and completely, utterly gorgeous. And I had been staring at him for the past four years.

  Not in a creepy, stalker way, of course. All my staring was done in a completely legitimate, socially sanctioned way. Because the handsome man in question was my boss. So I had to look at him. It would be really weird if I didn’t. So basically, I was being paid to stare at his heart-meltingly beautiful face. Which meant that it was the best job ever.

  “The new line is going to include waist coats,” Justin was saying. “Or vests, as you Americans call them.”

  Did I mention that he was British too? The looks combined with the accent and the fact that my boss was actually a really nice guy, make him damn near irresistible.

  Unfortunately, he barely noticed that I exist.

  Not that I blame him. Even though we’re a menswear company, he still gets to spend a lot of time with female models, AKA those tall, exotic glamazons that are the literal physical opposite of me, a short, curvy blonde. If they were being generous, my figure could be described as “Rubenesque”, but let’s be real. I’m plump. I’ve got big boobs and a big butt and usually I’m just great with that… until I see him making out with Angelique, or Cici, or whoever the (fat-free fro-yo) flavor of the month is.

  “Since three-piece suits aren’t as popular in the States, we’re really going to need our marketing team to help sell our new line,” Justin was saying.

  I was paying attention but I was also watching his mouth. Because what a mouth it was. The kind of mouth that looked like it could kiss you senseless.

  Which is exactly what I needed.

  It had been a really long time since I had been on a date, let alone been kissed. And I don’t even want to think about how long it’s been since I engaged in other, more naked activities.

  Too damn long.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t try. I did. Because I believe in Love, with a capital ‘L’. Like, the kind of love that gives you butterflies in your stomach and weak knees, and drives men with guitars to croon romantic ballads. An epic, world-shattering ‘love at first sight’ kind of love.

  Unfortunately, that kind of love seemed to be a one-way street right about now. Because I had been head over heels crazy about Justin since the first moment I spotted him, I just couldn’t seem to hold his attention long enough for him to fall for me, too.

  “Where are we on the publicity schedule?”

  I blinked, discovering that Justin was staring at me. His eyes were so blue. Like the ocean – a stormy, tropical tide…

  “Kelsey?” he asked and I realized that he had asked me a question.

  And I was just staring. Hopefully not drooling.

  I quickly wiped my chin – no drool, thankfully – and cleared my throat. “I’ll have a copy for you first thing in the morning,” I told him, smiling. “Just confirming with a few outlets before I send the schedule out to the team.”

  He nodded, and his attention refocused elsewhere.

  I let out a breath, my heart pounding. He had that effect on me. Even when I thought I was prepared – or accustomed – to that stare of his, I still found myself breathless whenever I was on the other end of it.

  Not that he noticed. Once, I’d seen him looking at me all through a meeting on the fall men’s line, and my heart had beat right out of my chest. Finally! But it turned out, I just had some of my morning spinach smoothie stuck between my teeth. Not exactly romantic.

  “Nice work everyone,” he said, ending the meeting. I had almost forgotten that there were other people in the room.

  “God, he’s so cute,” my co-worker Trish commented after Justin left.

  I nodded, gathering up my things, but doing it slowly because I knew that if there was any new gossip about Justin, Trish would be the one to have it. She was the best work-wife a gal could ask for.

  “I heard he broke up with Lulu,” she said, and my head jerked up.

  Bingo.

  “Really?” I asked, hope rising in my chest.

  Lulu was the latest model that had snagged Justin’s attention, and it had lasted four months, which was pretty decent for Justin. It wasn’t that he was a playboy or a manwhore, or anything, he was just busy. And a lot of women didn’t seem to understand that.

  I understood it completely.

  “That’s too bad,” I said blandly.

  Trish laughed. “Yeah, you seem really upset about it.”

  I shrugged, trying to hide my smile. “I just want him to be happy.”

  “Mmhmm,” Trish gave me a knowing look. “And you think he would be happiest with you.”

  I hit her on the arm. “Shhh,” I looked around, hoping that no one had overheard us.

  Trish might know about my long-standing crush on Justin, but that didn’t mean I wanted the whole office to know. Because I certainly didn’t want Justin to find out. I couldn’t imagine anything more embarrassing.

  “Oh, come on,” Trish put her hands on my shoulders. “When are you going to get off the sidelines and get into the game?”

  “You know sports metaphors aren’t really my thing,” I reminded her.

  She rolled her eyes. “Just ask him out,” she told me.

  I stared at her. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Trish sighed. “Ok, I know you’d never do it, but come on Kelsey! You can’t keep waiting around and hoping Justin will notice you. You need to make it happen. You need to make him pay attention.”

  It wasn’t the first time Trish had given me a variation on this speech. But then again, Trish looked like one of the models that Justin preferred – she was tall and fair with a head of gorgeous red hair. She looked like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, while I could give the sea witch, Ursula, a run for her money. One of the many reasons I never wore purple.

  “He’ll see me when he’s ready to see me,” I said, eliciting a groan from Trish.

  “Might help if you wore something a little more attention-getting,” she commented.

  I looked down at my outfit. I was wearing a cute print shirt-dress with buttons up the front, with a pink cardigan to guard against the ic
y office AC, And when I had left for work this morning, I had thought that I looked pretty good.

  “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I asked.

  “There’s nothing wrong with it,” Trish told me. She gave me a once over. “It’s just not exactly sexy.”

  “You want me to wear a mini-skirt and crop top to the office?” I laughed.

  “No, but you could wear stuff that hugs your figure more,” she said thoughtfully.

  “Maybe if I had a figure like yours.” I replied.

  “Come on, I’d kill for boobs like yours,” she commented. “But you keep them under wraps all the time. If you want a guy to notice you, you have to show off the goods a little.”

  I knew she was right. But I just wasn’t the kind of girl that did that kind of thing. I didn’t wear plunging tops and I didn’t tell my boss that I had a years-long crush on him. “I’m fine,” I finally said.

  “Coward,” Trish fired back playfully.

  “Brat,” I responded, my tone affectionate.

  Because Trish was a brat – trust fund baby, dabbling in fashion for fun – but she was the kindest, most loyal brat I knew. And she always kept me up to date on Justin’s personal life. Mainly because she had no boundaries and had no problem asking our boss personal questions.

  “Does he have someone else lined up yet?” I had to ask.

  Trish shook her head, giving me a sly look, her ruby red lips turned up at the corners. “I’m sure he’d be open to suggestions,” she said.

  I ignored her, knowing that as far as Justin and I were concerned, it was going to take a miracle of momentous proportions to get him to think of me as a potential date.

  Then again, I was the kind of girl who believed in miracles.

  After work, I headed out to meet my best friend at our favorite bar. Rascals was new to the Loop, but it had already proven itself to Chicago locals, who flocked to the classy, leather-boothed joint every night. There was always a line around the block.

  Luckily, I had an in. Alex was dating one of the owners, which gave me an excuse to hang out there all the time. Not that I needed an excuse. It was the best place in Chicago for a killer martini and even better eye-candy. In addition to Alex’s new boyfriend, Emerson, who managed the place, there were four other guys who were partners in Rascals, and they were all drop dead gorgeous. And not that I was the type to play favorites, but out all of them, I was especially partial to the one currently standing behind the bar. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and some delicious muscles under that scruffy vintage T-shirt. Chase McKenna was a total charmer, sure, but he knew how to make a martini exactly as dirty as I liked it.

  Alex was already there when I arrived - in the midst of a pretty steamy lip lock with Emerson. I stood next to them and cleared my throat. Loudly.

  “Oh hey, Kelsey,” Emerson said once him and Alex had caught their breath. “Didn’t see you come in.”

  “Mmhmm,” I gave him an arched eyebrow. “Wonder why that is.”

  Emerson just gave me a wolfish grin while Alex blushed. It was hard to be annoyed at them – after all, they were pretty much a match made in heaven. And with everything they had gone through to get together, I couldn’t begrudge them the occasional PDA. Even when it was supposed to be a girl’s night.

  Thankfully, Chase chose that moment to slid a drink across the bar at me. “Give the word, and I can give them a good hose down,” he said with a grin, brandishing the water nozzle.

  Emerson reached across the bar to smack him upside the head, and Chase dodged out of the way, his devil-may-care grin never leaving his face.

  Yep. Chase was cute.

  He was cute and he knew it.

  In that way, he was the complete opposite of Justin. Because Chase knew the effect he had on women – anyone who watched him for five seconds could see it – and he used it to his advantage. Every night, he seemed to go home with a different girl.

  I envied him a little. Not for his man-whore ways, but for his confidence.

  I took a sip of my martini, wishing that Chase could infuse it with some of the self-assurance I desperately needed right now. Because I couldn’t help thinking about what Trish had said. That I needed to make things happen with Justin - make him finally see me.

  But how?

  I had worked for him for four years – and I was good at my job – but he still didn’t seem to notice me. At least, not aside from his totally-platonic respect. And it wasn’t that he was keeping things professional at the office, either. He’d dated one of the junior designers for months last year, and then our accountant the year before that. Both of whom he’d broken up with in a mature way, leaving no hard feelings, and smiles all around. So what was the deal?

  “Do I look frumpy?” I asked Alex once we had our drinks and the boys had given us some space.

  “Frumpy?” Alex looked surprised. “Why would you say that?”

  “I didn’t,” I told her. “Trish did. She says my clothes aren’t sexy enough.”

  Alex paused. Her lipstick had been practically eaten off by Emerson, so she took a moment to reapply before answering. “You do have a particular style,” she finally said. “That’s more… cute.”

  I sighed.

  At my expression, she reached over and put her hand on mine. “But that’s your personality!” she said. “You’re cute, and bubbly, and tons of fun. Don’t let Trish upset you,” Alex added. “You can look however you want.”

  I appreciated Alex’s attempt to make me feel better, but it just confirmed my fear that Trish was right. I pretty much had the sex appeal of a ball of yarn.

  Another martini slid across the bar towards me. I hadn’t even noticed that I had finished my first one, but of course Chase had. That’s what made him the best bartender in Chicago.

  “Thanks, babe.” I said.

  “Hope it’s dirty enough for you,” he responded with a wink.

  “Is there such thing as dirty enough?” I teased.

  He put his hand on his chest. “A girl after my own heart.”

  “So…an alcoholic?” I joked.

  “Ouch,” he leaned back as if I had wounded him. “And after all I’ve done for you.”

  “You make drinks that I pay for,” I reminded him. “Which is your job.”

  I had been so focused on teasing Chase that I hadn’t even noticed the tall, slinky brunette who had sidled up next to me at the bar.

  “Excuse me,” she said in the kind of low, throaty voice that made men swoon. “Can I get a Sex on the Beach?”

  I tried not to roll my eyes, but Chase just flashed his panty-dropping smile. “Of course, sweetheart.” he said. “With or without sand?”

  I chuckled, but the brunette just blinked at him, clearly not getting the joke.

  “No sand then,” Chase said, undeterred. The brunette smiled at him, and I could practically see her panties evaporating.

  Men. It was so easy for them.

  I turned back to Alex, hoping we could commiserate the way we usually did around annoyingly beautiful women, but she had returned to sucking face with Emerson. I sighed. I loved my best friend and I was happy that she was happy, but damn, if it wasn’t exhausting being the third wheel all the time.

  Finishing my martini, I glanced over to see the leggy brunette sliding a piece of paper across the bar towards Chase. Her phone number was written there with a lipstick kiss to accompany it. Then she sauntered off, wiggling her non-existent hips.

  “Smooth moves,” I said to Chase, who pocketed the number. He was already in the process of making me another martini.

  “You know me,” he shrugged.

  “I certainly do,” I said, taking a sip of my third drink, and knowing it wouldn’t be the last one I had tonight.

  “If you ever need tips,” Chase told me. “Give me a call.”

  “The number on the bathroom wall, correct?” I teased.

  Chase laughed. “If it says ‘call this for a good time’, then yes, that’s me.”

&nb
sp; And then he sauntered off, with the confidence of a man who could sleep with anyone woman he wanted to, leaving me behind with my already half empty martini glass.

  Maybe I did need some tips. And who better to provide them than Rascal’s very own playboy?

  If anyone could tell me how to seduce a man, it was Chase.

  Maybe I could stay for one more drink…

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  Kelsey and Chase’s story is just getting started! WINGMAN is available to order now - CLICK HERE!

  About the Author

  Katie loves rom-coms, hot sportsmen, and love that breaks the rules. You can find her spending all day on Pinterest (for research!) and watching HGTV.

  Follow me on BookBub:

  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katie-mccoy

  Connect with Katie

  katiemccoywrites@gmail.com

  Also by Katie McCoy

  The Rascals Series:

  1. RASCAL

  2. WINGMAN (June 25th)

  3. HEARTBREAKER (Aug 20th)

  4. SOULMATE (Oct 15th)

  5. TROUBLEMAKER (Dec 10th)

  The All-Stars Series:

  1. ROYAL PLAYER

  2. HOT BACHELOR

  3. HEARTTHROB

  4. SEX GOD

  The Players Series:

  GAME ON

  PLAY ME

  PLAY MAKER