by Bella Emy
I spin my head around to look over my shoulder, just in time to see a handsome stranger with light-brown hair and swoon-worthy hazel-green eyes. He flashes me a devilish smile. Damn, he’s cute. And he looks like trouble. Totally my thing.
I offer him a smile in return and turn my head back around to give Aubrey my attention. “He’s cute.”
Aubrey gasps. “Cute? Cute? Girl, he is fine! And he looks like he knows just what to do with those hands of his.”
I giggle. “Maybe, but I didn’t come back home to pick up guys. I came back to hang out with my girl! Now, hurry and finish your drink so we can get back out on the dance floor. I wanna shake my ass.”
She takes a sip from her glass and then places it back on the table. “Harleigh Davis, there is nothing wrong with picking up a guy or two for later.” She winks at me and pushes away from the table. “Come on, girl. Let’s go shake our booties.” Aubrey walks to my side of the table, grabs my right hand, and pulls me out onto the dance floor.
***
“That was fun,” Aubrey says, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her left hand. We just spent the last hour on the floor, dancing and having a good time.
“It was,” I answer, as we make our way to one of the empty tables near the bar.
Once we reach it, she pulls out her cell phone from her back pocket and types something.
“I’m going to get us some drinks. Same as before?” I ask.
She shakes her head but doesn’t meet my gaze, still typing on her phone. “Don’t bother. Luis is here, and he’s bringing drinks to us!”
“Luis? I didn’t know he was coming.” Her cousin Luis, her fine-ass cousin who comes by every so often, is a sight to see. He was so cute, but we never hooked up or anything. Listen to me, talking like he likes me. I don’t even know if he thinks I’m pretty, let alone likes me.
She puts her phone down and scans the place, in search of her cousin no doubt. “I didn’t either. It’s a surprise visit. He should be right—oh, there he is!” She waves her arms in the air, frantically trying to get Luis’s attention.
I glance at where she’s looking, and sure enough, there he is, all six feet three inches of him. He’s walking toward us, carrying two drinks in his hands.
His smile lights up the place.
“Hey! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be in the area? How did you even know we were here?” Aubrey asks him as he reaches the table and places the drinks down.
Luis looks at her with a smirk. “Seriously, cuz? It’s not hard to find you when you check in at every location you go.”
Aubrey shrugs. “I have to let everyone know I’m not a bore. I get out.”
He smiles and rolls his eyes, then turns to face me. “Hey, Harleigh. It’s been a while.”
It sure has. He’s changed a bit. His expression is more rugged, more bad-boy-like. It’s hot, and it suits him. Too bad he’s like family to me.
“Hi, Luis. Good to see you again.”
“And you.” He winks, then looks away. “These are for you, ladies.”
“Nothing for you?” Aubrey asks, taking one of the cups.
“I’d think you know me better than that,” Luis says. He hurriedly turns around, goes back to the bar, and moments later, he’s returning with a bottle of beer for himself. He quickly removes the cap and takes a sip.
We laugh.
He places the bottle down and says, “So what trouble have you both gotten into?”
Aubrey and I look at one another and chuckle, then she turns to glance at him. “What makes you think we’ve gotten into trouble?”
Luis chuckles through a mouthful of beer. Once he pushes it down, he says, “C’mon. Two smart, fun”—he turns toward me—“beautiful ladies…” Then turns back to look at Aubrey. “It screams trouble.” He takes another sip of his beer and flashes me another glance as he does.
I take a big gulp and swallow hard. Fuck, he’s cute. Dammit, why does he have to be Aubrey’s cousin, who we pretty much grew up with?
He breaks the spell as he takes one final sip and slams his bottle onto the table. “All right. I didn’t come here to get fucked up—well, not only get fucked up. Let’s go dance.”
“Woo! Luis is ready to party!” Aubrey exclaims, taking his hand and leading him to the dance floor. “C’mon, Harls!”
I shrug and say, “Fuck it,” only loud enough for me. I take one last sip of my drink and place it on the table. “What the hell…”
I follow them to the middle of the room where a bunch of people our age are already busting their moves. The music is electrifying, and in an instant, the three of us find the beat and move to the sound. I’m standing between Aubrey and Luis. It’s loud and crazy and exactly what I needed.
Life hasn’t been the easiest up to this point. After my parents died, Cory and I had a rough time getting back on our feet. So that we wouldn’t lose the house for the time being, our Aunt Celia came to stay with us. She is my mother’s sister, and we were probably closer to her than to any of our other relatives.
Then, once Cory graduated high school, he started working in the legal field—he’s trying to become a paralegal—and Aunt Celia went back home. She’s thankfully only about half an hour from the house, so we still see her on a regular basis.
As for me, once I graduated high school two years after Cory, I went away to school where I currently dorm. My dreams of becoming an author haven’t died, but I’ve been majoring in education. I’ve always loved children, so becoming a teacher is the more secure route. One day, I do plan on finishing the novel I began a year ago, but until I graduate college and have more time on my hands, writing is still a dream.
I’ve been working as an administrative assistant for a local publishing company. The money is okay, and it does pay the bills. So there’s that. I’m in an industry I adore, even if I’m not doing exactly what I love. I’m as close as I can be at this point in my life. Books are life, right?
I’m brought out of my musings, swaying back and forth, when Luis turns his body toward mine and comes closer. The distance between us makes my body stiffen, and I realize his every move. The rocking to and fro of his hips causes mine to complement his. The scent of his cologne is making me wild. I’ve always loved manly musk.
Moving closer, he casually dances, taking steps to the music to slide up behind me. He grinds his groin into my ass, and I push back into him. He brings his face close to my neck, and tingles run up and down my spine.
“Harleigh, you’re so sexy,” he whispers into my ear, and I have to stop.
Quickly, I flip around, smile at him, and walk away. Luis’s expression is blank, but he continues dancing nonetheless. Aubrey is in her own world, not having noticed a thing, grinding against some other guy.
I have to get more liquor into my system. I make a beeline for the bar. It’s packed, but I’m set on getting a few shots of whatever the bartender pours for me. I know I’m not typically a drinker, but this doesn’t count. Nope. I need the liquor.
“Can I get a shot of the strongest thing you’ve got?” I ask when the guy behind the bar smiles.
“Rough night, sweetheart?” he asks, already pouring me a drink.
“Something like that. Thanks.” I take the drink he places out for me, and I throw it back.
He smiles when I slam it down and ask for another.
“Your friend’s having a good time,” he says, turning his chin up.
I follow his movement and look over my shoulder to see Aubrey letting loose. The fact that he knows she’s my friend means he’s been watching us. Or maybe he just remembers when we had ordered drinks earlier. I need to chill.
“Yeah, she likes to turn up.”
“You should too,” he smiles.
I don’t know what I need, but more alcohol sounds like a solid plan right about now.
“Oh, here she comes,” he announces.
I spin around, and—ouch. That hurt my head. I need to take it easy.
“Girl, you left without saying a thing. You all right?” Aubrey asks, standing to my right.
I shrug. “I needed a break.”
“Already?”
I shrug again. “I’m ready for another,” I say to the bartender.
He raises an eyebrow at me, and I pout my full lips at him. “One last one, please.”
“Last one,” he answers, pouring me more of the good stuff.
Aubrey chuckles. “Girl, let’s go dance before the place closes. We don’t have a lot of time left.”
I swallow my drink in one gulp and slam the cup down once more. “Okay,” I say to her and turn toward the bartender. “Thank you, hot stuff.”
Aubrey laughs. “Hot stuff?” She looks at the bartender.
Now he’s the one shrugging and says, “It’s Tim, but Hot Stuff will do just fine.”
Aubrey chuckles, then grabs my arm gently and says, “C’mon, Harls. Let’s end the night off right.”
I raise a finger toward Hot Stuff and let Aubrey lead me away.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Preston
THUMP!
My eyes fly open. What the hell was that? And where the fuck am I? I sit up and instantly remember I’m at Cory’s, but that doesn’t explain the noise.
I examine the room, checking out the place, when I hear giggling. Peering over the couch, I see her.
Harleigh Davis. My best friend’s little sister, apparently a drunken mess.
“Harleigh,” I whisper, jumping off the couch. I make my way toward her and go to her side.
My cock stiffens at the sight of her long curls cascading down her face. God, even like this, she’s so beautiful, even more than I remember. How could that be?
“Let me help you up,” I say as I reach out and gently grab her arm. I don’t even know if she knows what’s going on.
“Okay,” she mutters, allowing me to help her to her feet.
“Come, let’s sit you down on the couch.”
Finally, her gorgeous, dark-brown irises glance at me, then immediately go wide. It’s at this very moment, right here and now, I notice she realizes who I am.
I put my hands out, but it doesn’t stop her. She stands stiff, and oh my God, even though I know she’s about to blow from the daggers she’s throwing my way, she looks so fucking beautiful. Sure, her hair’s a bit out of place, probably from falling over when she first walked in, but damn. She sure did fill out in all the right places. Instantly, I want to explode with rage, thinking of her being out in public wearing what she’s got on. Obviously she’s been drinking, and she’s piss drunk off her ass. Whether she was at a club or at the bar, it doesn’t matter. Guys are guys, and I’m sure she caught more than one pair of eyes following her every move tonight.
A tight white blouse barely covers the top portion of her breasts, exposing her protruding cleavage. Below it, a short black miniskirt—this one barely covering her ass—is glued to her thighs. Okay, I’m exaggerating. It is covering her ass, but shit, it’s short.
And tiny.
How she squeezed into this outfit is beyond me. But my fucking God… the things I want to do to her right now…
If she weren’t glaring at me so intently, I’d be biting my fist, because that’s all I can do. I know I’m no one to judge what she wears, but fuck, this outfit combined with her beauty is trouble.
It’s the perfect recipe for a night of trouble.
“Pr-Prest… Preston… Scott. What the h-hell are you do… ing in my… hi-ouse?” she finally says, practically stumbling all over herself.
Wow, she’s so sloppy drunk. Just how much has she had to drink tonight?
“Harleigh, I can explain. Your brother—”
“My-my brother, wha?” she says, making her way toward me on clumsy feet. As she falls forward, I dart over and catch her in midair, right before she’s about to hit the floor face first.
“Whoa, I gotcha,” I say.
Harleigh lifts her head and looks into my eyes. I look down at her and can’t stop the smile forming across my lips. Even though she’s a woman now—a freaking gorgeous woman—she’s still the girl next door type whom I had wanted for so long.
But I never had a shot with her, not even when we kissed all those years ago. She’s Cory’s little sister, and I know now, as I knew then, I could never have her.
At my touch, it’s like she magically sobered up. Her glossy eyes open wide as I see her taking the visual of me in. “Preston,” she coos, still in my arms.
“Hi, Harleigh,” I say.
She licks her lips and, surprising me, moves closer. Our lips almost crash as sounds from down the hall stop us dead in our tracks.
“Harleigh!” Cory exclaims, walking into the living room.
I freeze for a second, but thankfully, he didn’t catch us in our almost kiss.
Then, snapping out of my trance, I help her stand on her own two feet and step away, saying, “She just got in. She almost tripped.”
“Preston ca-caught me,” she answers as Cory walks to his sister.
He nods his head at me. “Thanks, man.” Turning his attention toward her, he shakes his head and says, “Jesus, Harls. How much have you been drinking tonight? You look… like you’ve had a night. And what the hell are you wearing?”
She lifts her thumb and index finger right in front of her face, bringing them close together but never allowing them to touch. “Jus-Just a little… this much.”
Okay, she’s still freaking drunk off her cute ass.
Damn, I have to get a hold of myself. If this is anything like the past, this could be trouble, and there’s no way I can cross that line with her—especially now that Cory handed me his pop’s garage. I need to be respectful, as difficult as Harleigh is making it for me right now. I want to kiss her so badly. Well, that and maybe more.
Definitely more. She was pretty pissed when she first saw me after so long. I shouldn’t even try anything with her even if Cory wasn’t around. I’ve caused her enough drama and headaches in the past.
Cory takes Harleigh under his wing. “We need to get your ass to bed. You’ll sleep this off.”
“I don’t… okay” is all she says before her head drops on his shoulder.
He begins walking off with her to the bedrooms, then stops and turns his head toward me. “I’ll be right back, man. I’m sorry she woke you. I don’t know what got into her tonight, but she never really drinks.”
“No, really. It’s fine. I’m glad I was here to help her up. It’s probably the reason why it hit her so hard if she never drinks,” I say. I run a hand through my hair. “Take your time and then head to bed. I’ll be fine.”
He nods. “All right, man. Have a good night, or early morning, I should say.” He chuckles.
He’s not kidding. It’s past three in the morning.
Once he turns back around, I can’t stop my eyes before they land on Harleigh once more, then ultimately drop to her luscious ass. It’s so full and round, and her short miniskirt is not helping me keep my eyes off the middle portion of it. Yeah, her ass is covered, but like I had guessed before, barely.
Before I get myself into something I can’t pull out of, I turn around and plop back down on the couch. I lie my head on the pillow and close my eyes. Once I do, all I see is Harleigh.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Preston
I couldn’t sleep. I tried, but once I closed my eyes and saw only Harleigh, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get any rest. So I left.
I walk straight up to the door of a bar, and the “Closed” sign stares back at me. Of course it’s closed. It’s after four in the morning. But I don’t give a shit. I need a stiff drink after what I just saw. I know it’s probably useless, but regardless of that fact, I raise both my fists up to the wooden door and bang on it like a madman.
“Hey! Open up! I know someone’s still here! Open u—”
The movement of the locks from the inside of the bar can be heard from where I’m standing. I bring
my fists down to my side and wait to be let in. Before I know it, a man, well over six feet, opens the door with a scowl on his face. He can’t be much older than me.
“Hey, asshole. Can you read the sign? We’re closed!”
I spin around, kicking my feet. “Fuck!” I turn back to face him and try to plead my case. “Look, I’m desperate, okay? I need a good stiff drink, maybe a Fireball or a silver bullet. I don’t know. I just know I have nowhere else to go right now to get it.”
The bar owner crosses his arms across his chest, his scorned expression still there. “Well, come back tomorrow. Before closing time.”
I’m not letting up. I need to keep trying. I’m not leaving till he lets me in and gets me a drink… or two. “Well, you’re still here…”
His angry look slowly fades. He looks behind him and then back at me. “Yeah, most nights I never leave.”
A smug grin forms on my face, but not wanting to push my luck, my lips uncurl into a straight line.
The owner rolls his eyes, letting out a deep breath. “One drink and then you’re outta here.” He moves over, allowing me to enter.
“Aww, thanks, man. One drink, got it.”
He pushes past me, and I follow him to the bar. I pull out a dark wooden stool and plop my ass on it. Not wasting any time, the man mixes some liquor, then pours it into a tiny shot glass.
“What’s that?”
He looks up at me with a sly grin before responding. “My very own specialty. Any man who bangs on a bar door way past closing time, looking as miserable as you did, must be going through something. Try it.” He places the glass in front of me, and I throw it back, letting it hit the back of my throat.
Strong, very strong. But exactly what I need.
“Wow, that’s good. Thanks so much, man. I’ll be out of your way now.” I place the cup back on the counter and rise from my seat.