by Megan Noelle
Once again he leaned into the counter on his arms. “I own the place.” His voice mockingly whispered.
“You?” I asked, with a disbelieving laugh.
“You don’t believe me?” His piercing blue eyes narrowed slightly at my smile.
“If your daddy bought it for you, or if it has been in your family for years, then yeah, I’d believe it.” Maybe I was being mean, but I never liked people questioning me or my ways. The whole point of the night was to not think and answering questions, usually, required thinking.
“It’s neither.” He shot back; matching the angst in my attitude.
“Well, so what? That doesn’t mean I need to tell you why I’m here.”
He leaned in a little closer. “Why don’t you at least tell me your name and age?” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“I don’t think so.”
My hand reached out to take a much needed drink but before I knew it, he had snatched the bottle away.
“Hey!” “I meant your ID, princess.”
“You’ve already served me.” My hands were out in front of me as I stared, wide-eyed, at this confusing individual.
“My bar. My rules.”
My face plainly displayed my irritation with him. He was quickly ruining my night. It didn’t make me any happier to see the amusement in his striking blue eyes. I flipped open my clutch, pulled out my ID and just for effect—threw it on the bar. He wasn’t affected in the slightest, as he picked it up for further examination.
For a flash his eyes widened before locking with mine. “Danielle Hamilton—as in…?”
“Yes.” I answered before he could finish. Everyone in this town knew my Grandmother, so I shouldn’t have been all that surprised a bartender did as well.
Even worse than this guy knowing my Gram was the likelihood that he knew my mother too. No doubt he was thinking to himself that these Hamilton women all have the same booze-hound ways. What I should have done right then was get up, leave and find another place to pick my match—no need to give this man one more negative impression about us. I was pretty sure my mom had sat at that same bar, gotten wasted and then proceeded to take one home…just as I planned.
Damn—if that realization wasn’t a slap in the face that I truly was my mother’s daughter—I didn’t know what would be.
“You must be the granddaughter.” This time I was flashed a heart-stopping, knee-shaking, panty-dropping smile, as he showed off the dimple in his right cheek. For a second I forgot what we were talking about, where I was—hell— I forgot who I was! That’s when I decided maybe staying there wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Pull it together, Dani! After the shock wore off, I yanked my ID back and held out my hand for my beer. “Boy, you’re good.”
“What are you doing in town?” The genuine interest in his tone matched his expression.
“I moved back. Temporarily. So I need a drink and if you don’t want to give me mine then I’ll go somewhere else.”
He held my beer out with a smile. “Now, why don’t you tell me who it is you’re looking for?”
“Not that it is any of your business, but I’m not looking for anyone.” Our eyes held and after a beat I finished. “I’m just looking.”
The full lips on his deadly attractive face curved up into another full-on smile, as he realized the meaning behind my words. Before he was able to respond, someone else called for his attention.
“Hey buddy, can I get some help over here!” A 30-something guy asked as he stumbled to the bar on the other end from where I sat. The guy looked down at us and proceeded to over exaggerate his eye roll.
“C’mon man, I may not have tits like that, but I’m still a paying customer.”
In a flash, the bartender’s fun demeanor was gone, and the line of his jaw tightened as his eyes narrowed at the drunkard. My eyes were drawn to the scene playing out in front of me, as he sauntered over to where the drunk guy stood visibly swaying. The bartender’s voice dropped to a low and borderline, frightening tone.
“You’ve had enough, Johnny. Now get the hell out of my bar, and if I hear you say one more jackass thing to a woman in here—I will personally kick your ass.” Johnny scoffed and waved his hand in a dismissive action.
“Lighten up, C man—you know I was messing around.”
“Get out.” He repeated; fists clenched at his side. Drunken Johnny slurred out some more crap before choosing, what I assumed was the wiser fate, and walked out. His eyes stared after the stumbling drunk without losing his defensive stance until Johnny was out the door. Once Johnny was gone, he loosened up and returned to work. While he went back to making cocktails for a couple of desperate looking women, I decided to go explore. During my ‘intentions interrogation,’ the place had already picked up. The tables were becoming more crowded and a couple additional bartenders joined the owner, while one took drink orders, as another ran food from the kitchen.
The pool tables were first on my checklist. Three guys playing one game all their chatter halted, as they watched me make my way towards them. I plastered on the fake smile I have used many times before while hosting client meetings or dinners; when the point of the meal was to kiss as much ass as possible to get what my company wanted. The trio were clearly not my type, but at least they weren’t terrible. One wore glasses and had the ‘cute nerdy’ look going for him, while the other two clearly thought of themselves as tough shit. Bulging muscles, greased back hair, probably no brains and tiny packages.
“Guys mind if I watch?” My flirty voice came out breathy and obnoxiously sweet.
“You can watch all you want, darling. As long as we get to watch too.” Puke. Thing One gave me a wink and I worked up another smile. Even though I was already set to move on, I couldn’t come up with something to say other than, “gross,” I settled on a flirtatious giggle, brushing my hair over my shoulder.
For the next 20 minutes I continued to watch and the cute nerdy guy, whose name I learned was Tanner, proceed to talk about himself—nonstop. Every time he took a shot, he’d stand next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. A few times, I glanced around searching for someone to save me noticing the bartender staring my way, grinning viciously at me. That man was clearly very amused by me. When our eyes locked I tried mouthing the words “help me,” while Tanner held me captive, forcing me to breathe in his lack of deodorant. Of course, that only made my now least favorite bartender ever laugh more. When Tanner left to take a bathroom break I made my escape, back to the seat at the bar I had been occupying earlier.
One of the new bartenders with muscles on his muscles, short buzzed hair, reeking of too much cologne and cockiness, looked my way. Once the owner caught sight of me he patted muscle-boy on the back to indicate he was taking care of me, before strolling over.
His eyes darted to my abandoned spot with the pool table crowd. “Not your type?” He asked through the permanent smile etched on his face. I was beyond thankful for the fresh Rolling Rock placed in front of me.
My face screwed up in repulsion. “Yuck. You could have done something to help me, by the way!”
He chuckled as he held up his hands in mock innocence. “Hey, you’re the one that walked over to them. I told you; I know everyone in here. You need to know something about a guy, next time ask me.” I considered asking what he knew about Tanner but I couldn’t pretend to be interested if I wanted to. And I didn’t.
“Well, what about you?” There was something about this guy that piqued my interest.
“What about me?” He eyed me down, as he went about washing a few glasses in front of us. My shoulders shrugged as I slammed back half my drink.
“Like your name and age for starters, since you know that much about me.”
“Corey, 27.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you, Corey 27.” Corey’s lips twitched up at the corner in a smirk.
“You too, Danielle 25.” I smiled against my beer, before drinking some more.
“D
ani—only my Grandparents and clients call me Danielle.”
“Clients?” Corey’s eyes scanned my outfit, as he desperately tried to hide his suggestive grin.
He let out a laugh when I reached over smacking his tattooed bicep. A comment insinuating I was a hooker should have pissed me off, but I couldn’t be mad. Part of me knew Corey was only joking, not to mention, I was surprisingly enjoying his company.
“When I lived in New York I worked for a magazine as a business representative. It was one of my duties to meet with new companies and sponsors to bring in more interest. Danielle is more professional sounding than Dani.”
“So Dani, tell me. Why are you really here tonight?” Apparently, he was not going to let this go. The more I thought about it, and became lost in the interested gaze in those deep blues—something told me he already knew. So what if I told him, it’s wasn’t as if I was trying to hide my intentions. As I tipped my head back to down the rest of my beer, I watched Corey’s eyes wander down my face, neck and chest. The hungry look set a fire coursing through my veins, as I set the bottle on the bar to answer.
“I’m here tonight because for once I don’t want to think about anything. I don’t want to worry about the bullshit that goes along with emotions; I just want to have fun.”
“So, why didn’t you come with friends?” Corey asked; placing his elbows back on the bar. Matching his posture, I did the same.
“Because the kind of fun I’m looking for, isn’t the kind where I need a group of my friends around.” As our conversation became more intense, so did the look he gave me. Smoldering blue eyes held mine captive, as I forgot about the crowded tavern surrounding us.
“Is that so?”
“That’s so.” My head gave a single nod. “How much of that twenty do I still have left?”
“All of it,” Corey smiled. “I put your drinks on Johnny’s tab, after I kicked his ass out.” The first real laugh since leaving New York burst out and boy did that feel good. My mood was only improving as the night pressed on and I wanted to do what I could to keep around the reason for the smile on my face.
“Then why don’t I use that twenty to buy you and I a shot. You can take those at your own bar, right?”
Corey’s eyebrow raised up. “As long as it isn’t some girly-ass one.”
“Tequila. We’ll do the whole thing, lime and salt too.” Corey cringed at my words.
“Fine. Let me get those two chicks in the corner another round, then we’ll take it.” The desperate looking females Corey was referring to were caked with make-up, slutty clothing, and looked completely pathetic. God—I really hoped I didn’t look like that! Sure my clothes were a little sluttier than I usually wore, but I didn’t pack on every piece of make-up I owned the way they had. I purposely kept it natural, highlighting my blue eyes with earthy tones, some eyeliner and mascara. They both looked me up and down with disgust on their faces; obviously they had been hoping to receive the sole attentions of the sexy bartender.
Corey was just about to walk away when I reached out and grabbed hold of his wrist. He turned back, glancing at my hand on his arm before looking up to me with question in his eyes.
“Do I look like them tonight?”
Corey’s eyes took in my appearance again, before shooting a glance in their direction. “Not at all.” He gave me a wink and I released him, so he could do his job. The beefcake bartender continued helping behind the bar while the other, a short balding man, waited on the tables. All of them seemed to know what they were doing but I noticed that even with Corey taking time out to talk with me, he seemed to know everyone’s orders by heart. He knew how to work the crowded bar, making each person feel they were the only one he saw.
Everyone had a new drink just as they emptied their old ones, and I had to admit the more I watched Corey—the more attractive I found him. The way his toned, tattooed arms stretched and flexed made my mouth water. Not to mention those delicious lips and the way his blue eyes lit up when he smiled. No longer did I care about the other guys in the bar; tonight I would either end up with Corey, or go home ‘empty-handed.’ Not only was he down right sexy, but he also looked like a man that knew how to show someone a good time. A good no-stringsattached time.
Corey showed up with a small plate holding two lime slices, the salt shaker and two tequila shots.
“Just so you know, I haven’t had tequila since my 21stbirthday,” He said with a grimace, as we both readied our hands and limes.
“Well, I am honored you’re taking it with me.” Corey smiled wider than I had seen him smile all night.
“The last tequila shot I took was with your grandmother, so it seems only right.” My mouth dropped in surprise.
“My Grandma!”
“Yup—now let’s go, princess, before common sense kicks in and I change my mind.”
We both licked our hands, poured on the salt and each took a breath.
“Cheers.” I said with a smile. We clinked glasses. Licked up the salt. Shot down the tequila. Bit into the lime and cringed at the harsh, but delicious mixture.
Corey’s face was still screwed up with disgust, as he reached out taking a swig of my beer as a chaser. “Next time we do a shot—it’s my choice.”
“Deal.” Shots of tequila were by far my favorite. Except it wouldn’t be as fun doing another, if I had to take it alone; I watched as Corey cleaned up our liquor mess. Once done with that he brought over another full Rolling Rock but took a swig before handing it over.
“By the way, I appreciate you standing up to that guy for me.” My eyes shamelessly followed his every move, as he prepared new mixed drinks he heard patrons calling out. He shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner, but I could tell he didn’t do this for everyone.
“Just not a big fan of men disrespecting women. You can thank my mother and three sisters for that.”
“I’ll let you pass along the message.” I didn’t want to talk anymore about families. Families of my boyfriends have always been a soft spot for me. In my past relationships, I made their family just as important to me as my actual boyfriend was. It’d always made it that much harder to go through a break-up—I hadn’t only lost one person, I’d lost a family.
Another couple hours passed; Corey and I continued to talk about random things. Everything, from his rundown on each person in the bar, to what was playing on the jukebox. It was midnight; I was in a good and tipsy state but knew better than to keep drinking. As much fun as I was having that would only leave me with a fuzzy memory. No matter what happened, I wanted to remember every part of my night. While the two of us talked, as time passed by our bodies shifted closer and closer. Every now and then, we were interrupted by Beefcake, or a waiting customer but he always came back to where we’d left off. Corey was in the middle of answering my question about one of the tattoos on his arm, a heart with the initials, A L K, within it, when a young guy walked behind the bar into a back room.
The kid nodded at Corey but didn’t bother stopping to say anything. My eyes followed to where he’d disappeared behind the door, I couldn’t help but wonder if this kid was even old enough to work there. Corey’s laughter at whatever expression was plastered across my face, pulled my attention away from the closed door and back to him.
“That’s Sanders—good kid. He comes in at midnight, works till closing, then helps the others clean up the place.”
“How old is he?” The question still rattled around my mind, but I didn’t mean to ask it.
“21, he’s going to school right now and needs some extra cash. Plus, that means I don’t need to clean this place up at the end of the night.” Corey smiled at me with a wink. “I’ve done enough of that over the years.”
“So, your shift is over now?”
“It sure is.” Those blazing blue eyes looked to be staring a hole, straight through me. Instead of jumping across the bar and begging him to take me wherever it was he was going—I chose to play a different role.
“We
ll, it’s too bad I was actually having a decent time. Guess I’ll have to go catch up with my buddy over by the pool tables.” When my eyes shot that way for effect, I noticed Tanner was staring at me. Not on my life. Of course, I couldn’t tell Corey that going back over there was the last thing I wanted to do. Instead, I moved to get off the bar stool, but Corey suddenly reached out grabbing hold of my arm.
“Or you could come with me.” The way his eyes darkened in a humorless and my oh my, seductive way, made my heart rate quicken and the growing desire surge between my thighs. There wasn’t one part of me that didn’t want to; my body screamed yes, and my head was in whole-hearted agreement.
Don’t give in quite that easily, Dani! “Go with you where?”
“I live in the apartment upstairs.” His head nodded towards the ceiling, while his eyes remain locked on mine.
“Convenient.”
Corey’s lips curved into a slow, sexy smile. “So, is that a yes?”
I paused for a heartbeat before answering, “Yes.”
“One second.” I watched as he walked to the back room and stuck his head in. A minute later he emerged with Sanders trailing him. Corey went to the register, rang in something and the cash drawer opened. He slipped out the twenty I gave him from his rear pocket and exchanged it for a five dollar bill, then walked back over to me.
“Ready?” Nodding, I felt my pulse spike as his warm arm circled around my waist.
We left the bar and I let him lead me towards the back of the building, where a staircase lead up to another door. Corey walked up first but kept hold of my hand to pull me along. I was sure it was to keep me from suddenly backing out. Something told me that even though our banter had been playful before, we were both as affected by the other. More than a dozen times over the night, I had seen Corey’s eyes drift down towards my lacy bra. Not that I was complaining; this was what I was asking for. Not to mention, I had definitely taken a few looks at his tantalizing behind whenever he’d walked away.
Corey released my hand when we were at the platform and slid the key into the door. We walked in and he closed it behind us; hanging the keys on a hook next to the door. Before I could even take in my surroundings, I was pushed against it and his eager mouth pressed against mine. The taste of his lips was intoxicating, with a hint of the tequila shot from earlier. Strong hands moved down the length of my torso until he found the bare skin along my stomach. My body shivered at his touch. He broke the kiss to move his lips down the length of my neck; my head dropped back to give him better access. Between his lips, tongue and the little nips he placed along my jaw line; I was amazed my body didn’t find release then and there.