Speed Dating (Speed Dating #1)

by Tabatha Vargo

  Picking up my drink from the bar, I took the final sip and waved at the bartender and signaled for water. I was officially cutting myself off.

  “It was six months ago. I was living in Vegas with my fiancé,” Daniel started.

  Looking back at him, my heart dropped when he said the word fiancé. Was he married? Engaged? Was I reading all of his signals wrong and had I spent the night flirting with a taken man? I swallowed down the massive pile of regret that was choking me. I’d never put another woman through what I’d been through with Bryan. Never.

  “I found out she was cheating on me with one of my employees. Right under my nose she was fucking the manager of my shop.” He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his messy brown hair. Something I’d admired his brother, Sam, do from afar day in and day out.

  It was wrong to be so attracted to Daniel, since Sam had been such a good friend to me for so long. Shit could get messy, and what would happen to our friendship if I starting seeing his brother and things went downhill. All of it could blow up in my face.

  “That sucks. I’m sorry. I guess we’re in the same boat. Except Bryan never had the balls to ask me to marry him. Probably because I don’t have a dick.” I laughed.

  Beer shot from Daniel’s mouth when he burst into laughter, spraying the top of the bar and prompting the bartender to roll her eyes at the mess we were making.

  “You’re both cut off,” she chuckled, tossing a wet rag onto the countertop like she expected us to clean it up. My eyes moved from the rag to Daniel and back to the rag.

  “That’s all you,” I grinned.

  “Seriously? But you made me spit the beer out,” he jokingly complained while still laughing at my dick joke.

  “Rule number one when you’re hanging out with me. Never drink while I’m speaking. I can’t be held responsible for the stuff that comes out of my mouth or yours, for that matter.”

  “The lady’s right,” Sam chimed in with a smile, surprising me since I hadn’t even noticed him come in. Even though his smile was almost identical to Daniel’s, his was still better. “She’s got a dangerous mouth on her.”

  His eyes slid across my lips briefly as if he were tempted to kiss me over the bar, but just as fast it was there, it was gone, leaving me positive that I was seeing things. Sam was married, and out of all the times I’d come to Dudley’s after work, he was always nothing but respectful and friendly.

  Looking away, I checked the clock on my phone like I was interested in the time. It was after midnight. My early night after work had slowly became way later than I wanted to be out, especially since I had to work the following morning.

  “Well, fellas, it’s been real, but I have to work in the morning.” Standing from my stool, I grabbed my purse.

  Turning for the door, I felt Daniels’s presence instead of Sam’s, who usually made sure I got to my car without any issues.

  “Hey, Jules?” Daniel said as we both walked out of the bar together.

  “Yeah?” Turning to face him, his handsome smile was welcome.

  Gone was the gloomy mood he was in while sitting at the bar and talking about his ex. His smile prompted mine.

  “Can I get your number? I mean, shit, I’d like to take you out some time or something.” Again, his hands went through his dark locks, letting me know it was something he did when he was nervous. It was cute, and it made wonder if Sam did it out of nerves, too. “I have to fly out to Vegas and check on my shop tomorrow morning, but maybe when I get back? Maybe we can text? Stay in touch while I’m gone? I’m rambling. I ramble when I’m nervous.”

  I couldn’t help myself. I laughed. The poor guy was just like me. Word vomit was always a problem for me when I was talking to a guy I was interested in. He was having the same problem and I found it strangely adorable.

  “Give me your phone,” I said, putting my hand out waiting for him to tuck his iPhone in my grasp. “Password?” I asked.

  “3308,” he replied with a chuckle.

  Bringing up his contacts, I added my name and cell number before clicking the lock button and handing it back over.

  “See you around, Daniel,” I said, turning away and walking toward my car.

  I smiled to myself since I knew he was looking at my ass while I walked away.

  Maybe, just maybe my luck was finally about to change.

  The next morning I woke up with cotton mouth, bad hair, and a text from a strange number with a Vegas area code.

  Unknown: Good morning, Jules. I had a dream about you last night.

  It was cheesy, but totally adorable at the same time. No one had ever taken the time to send me sweet messages like that, not even Bryan when we first started dating. It made me feel special, and I hadn’t felt that way in a while.

  Without a second thought, I replied before climbing from the bed and getting ready for work.

  Me: Morning, Daniel. Hung over, and it’s all your fault.

  Hey, it was the truth. Especially on a work night. There was no way I was going to function like a normal human being for the rest of the day. It didn’t help that I had a client meeting in an hour to show two houses in Daytona Beach Shores. All I wanted was a bacon, egg, and cheese from The Cracked Egg.

  Later at lunch, I filled Shelly and Sadie in on the fact that Sam had a twin.

  “Damn. Imagine having both at one time,” Sadie responded.

  Of course that would be her response, but I couldn’t deny that I’d thought the same thing myself briefly the night before. Don't hate on me for being sexually frustrated.

  Once we were done with lunch and I was settled back at my desk, more text messages came in from Daniel, who was no longer showing up as unknown. The fact that I’d taken the time to program his name into my phone meant something.

  Daniel: So I met this chick at the bar last night, cliché I know, but now I can’t stop thinking about her.

  Me: Is she at least hot? It’s not very fun to have an ugly woman on the brain.

  Daniel: The hottest. I’m thinking about asking her out. Do you think I should?

  Me: Depends. Do you think she was into you?

  Daniel: I think so.

  Me: Then go for it.

  Daniel: I think I will.

  He stopped texting me for an hour and I was able to get some paperwork taken care of. I was about to leave my office when my phone chimed again.

  Daniel: Hey Julia. I hope you remember me. I met you last night…Daniel.

  A cheesy grin slipped into place and I replied to his text.

  Julia: Daniel… I think I remember you.

  I pushed send and waited for his reply. When my phone chimed again I was quick to open his message.

  Daniel: Ouch. Doesn’t sound like I left as much of an impression on you as you did with me.

  Julia: Have you been thinking of me?

  Daniel: All day. I think I should get a do over.

  Julia: What did you have in mind?

  Daniel: I was wondering if maybe we could grab a bite to eat or something when I get back in town. Sound like something you’d be interested in?

  I smiled to myself as I typed out my answer. It had been so long since I was this happy simply texting with someone. Especially of the male species.

  Me: Maybe.

  Daniel: I’ll be back in a few days. Maybe we can meet at Dudley’s next Saturday night around 8?

  Me: Maybe

  Daniel: Maybe I’ll see you there.

  Me: Maybe.

  And so I had a date the following Saturday night. I’d said I was done with dating, but I kept thinking that maybe this one could actually go somewhere since I hadn’t met him online or through speed dating. Sure, I met him in a bar, but it was totally different. He was there to see his brother, not drink and meet girls.

  That Saturday I pampered myself. My early appointment at the salon took longer than I expected since I decided to add in some blond highlights, but I left there feeling like a new woman. The next two hours was spent shopp
ing for something new to wear before I went home to start getting ready.

  By the time it was time for me to meet Daniel at Dudley’s I was dressed to impress and smiling like a goddess.

  Dudley’s was dead when I got there, which wasn’t a big shock. Things didn’t get busy around there until after ten on the weekends. Tossing my clutch on the bar, I slid onto a stool and crossed my legs.

  No one was behind the bar, and I knew it was because Sam was in the back bringing more beer around to put in the coolers. When the side door opened and he turned with his arms full of beer, I didn’t miss the look in his eyes when he saw me sitting there.

  “You look nice. What’s the occasion?” he asked, setting the beers into the cooler, the bottles clanking together.

  “Do I need a reason to dress up?” I asked.

  “No, I guess not.”

  His eyes moved over my tits quickly and I celebrated the fact that Sam had checked me out. It was wrong considering he was married, but at the same time it made me feel good. He wasn’t one to gawk or flirt, and he’d made a tiny exception for me. It reassured me that Daniel would for sure be impressed.

  Without me asking, he began to whip up my drink. When he was done, he came around the bar and placed it in front of me. I reached out before he had a chance to move his hand and my fingers brushed against mine.

  And then everything moved in slow motion. Sam leaned over me, losing his hands in my hair, he pulled me closer to him.

  “There’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while now,” he said, moving closer.

  I swallowed and straightened in my stool. “There is?”

  He moved even closer, his jeans rubbing against my freshly shaved legs. “Yes.”

  And then it happened. It was out of nowhere and totally shocking, but Sam leaned down and pressed his warm lips to mine. His fingers got lost in my hair as he captured the back of my head with his palm and pulled me closer.

  His lips were soft and experienced as he took my mouth in a heated kiss the way no other man ever had. A tiny moan slipped past my lips making him groan into mine. And then his tongue swooped in, filling my mouth with his sweet flavor and I was lost.

  His other hand moved up to cup my cheek and I laid my palm over it. The warmth of his hand tingled my fingers as I softly ran my fingers across his. But then my pinkie caught the cold gold of his wedding band and everything stopped.

  Pulling away quickly, I gasped for air and pressed my hands against his chest. I was the lowest of the low. I’d always felt terrible for lusting after Sam the way I did, but what I was doing was a million times worse. I was cheating with a married man. After having my heart ripped from my chest by Bryan I was doing the same thing to another woman.

  “This is wrong, Sam,” I said, pulling away.

  He looked down at me, raw need in his eyes. “It is?” he asked, confused.

  He was still close enough that his lips grazed mine when he spoke. I almost gave in and kissed him again.

  “Yes. So very wrong. I’m not this girl. I don’t do this.”

  “You don’t kiss men? I’m confused,” he said.

  Sliding off my stool, I put some distance between us. I could still feel his heat rushing through me and the itch of his soft stubble against my cheek.

  “No. I mean, yes, but this is wrong,” I repeated, trying to convince myself.

  “But it doesn’t feel wrong,” he said, moving closer and reaching for my hand. “It can’t be wrong, Julia. Not when it feels so right.”

  The way he said my name felt so sexual and intimate. I loved it, but I had to stay strong. I wasn’t a home wrecker. I just couldn't be that girl.

  “You’re married, Sam. I won’t do this to another woman,” I stated strongly.

  He chuckled softly to himself, running his fingers through his dark hair. “Julia, I think there’s--”

  He stopped when the door to the bar flew open and his brother stepped in. I still couldn’t get over the resemblance between the two. Daniel’s smile lit up the room, he looked so excited about taking me out and I couldn’t help but smile back even after what had just happened.

  He strutted across the bar to where we were standing and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

  “What are you doing here, Daniel? I thought you were still in Vegas?” Sam said, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

  “I was, but I came back to pick up my lovely date,” Daniel said, reaching down and grabbing my hand.

  Sam’s eyes clashed with mine and heat rose up my neck before filling my cheeks. I looked away and silently prayed that he wouldn’t mention what had just occurred between the two of us. One: I didn’t want his brother to know I was a cheating whore. And two: I didn’t want to think about how perfect the kiss with Sam was. Not when I was minutes away from going out with his brother.

  “That’s great.” Sam stuttered. He turned on his heel and made his way back around the bar. “Y’all have fun.”

  He wouldn’t look at me. Actually, he kept his eyes on the beer cooler the entire time. It made me feel even worse.

  “Oh, we will,” Daniel said.

  I didn’t like how he made it sound sexual. It was as if he was rubbing it in Sam’s face, which made no sense since he had no idea that Sam had just kissed me. It was a big mess. And as Daniel grabbed my hand and walked me out the bar I couldn’t help but want to turn around and go back to Sam. Even if he was the meaning of the word unavailable.

  I felt broken and rushed in every known direction. My insides were melting and begging me to go back. My palm began to sweat in Daniel’s soft grasp. I closed my eyes and pushed through, knowing that I was leaving a little piece of my heart with Sam in the bar.

  A month went by and the kiss and the awkwardly perfect night was pushed to the back of my mind. I tried to stay away from Dudley’s, but every now and again I’d end up there with Sadie for a few drinks.

  Sam didn’t treat me any differently than he did before the kiss, which both angered and confused me. I couldn’t stop thinking about that moment, even when his brother was kissing me, and there he was pretending it never happened. It was the smart thing to do considering he was very taken, but it still pissed me off.

  I didn’t bother mentioning it to the girls. It was the first time I kept a secret from them. Daniel and I talked nonstop. When he was in town, we were together. When he was Vegas working, we texted. Things were getting pretty serious with him and I was proud of the fact that we hadn’t slept together.

  Don’t get me wrong, he tried, but for the first time in long time I wanted to wait. Things with him felt real and I didn’t want to ruin anything by giving up the goods too soon. There was a lot of touching and kissing, but nothing more than that and I planned on keeping it that way until things got really serious.

  “I can’t believe you haven’t fucked him yet,” Sadie said, tossing her head back to down a shot.

  “It’s not always about sex, Sadie,” Shelly covered for me.

  It was one of the rare occasions when she went out with us. Since she’d gotten into a serious relationship, she stayed home most of the time, which was to be expected.

  “I just want to do this right this time,” I said. “If he really cares about me, he’ll wait.”

  “Exactly,” Shelly agreed.

  It was then that Sam came over to where we were sitting with three more shots.

  “From the guy at the end of the bar,” he said, placing them in front of us.

  He didn’t even look at me. I missed having my drunken heart to heart talks with Sam. It didn’t help that he was wearing a pair of jeans that hugged his ass tightly or that he’d decided to let his facial hair grow out. He looked dangerous and sexy and all I could think about was climbing him like a tree. Of course that could have had more to do with the fact that I haven’t had any penis in over a month. Unless you counted my new toy, which I totally didn’t.

  “Thank you, Sam,” I said, moving into his line of view and hoping he’d l
ook at me.

  He didn’t. Instead, he nodded his head in my general direction and walked away. It was annoying. I watched him walk away, squeezing my legs together and envisioning his kiss all over again. Daniel kissed me a lot and still, it was nothing like Sam’s.

  It didn’t help that we passed each other constantly at home. I’d be coming in with groceries or I’d hear him coming in late after the bar closed. It was all too much and I wasn’t sure how much more I could stand.

  That night, I closed my eyes and imagined it was Sam who was pushing himself deep into me as I used my toy. Digging the back of my head into my pillow, I called out his name when my orgasm took over. It was amazing. He was amazing, and I was starting to worry about the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Even if I was slowly falling in love with his twin brother.

  “I’m coming to see you this weekend,” Daniel said into the phone.

  I was lying in bed slowly falling to sleep. Him being three hours behind Florida made our conversations very one sided. He’d be wide awake, just getting off from work, and I’d be forcing myself to stay awake close to midnight.

  “That’s great. I can’t wait to see you,” I hummed.

  I wasn’t lying. I loved being around Daniel. He was funny and loving, and honestly, when I was with him I didn’t think about Sam so much. It was wrong, but he was the next best thing. I couldn’t help but hope that one day he’d erase my feelings for Sam completely.

  “I’d like to have a serious talk when I get there,” he said, waking me up and prompting me to lean up from my pillow.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  Here I was thinking how much I liked him and he was about to break up with me when he got into town.

  “No. The opposite actually. Let’s just wait to talk about when I get there, okay?”