Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology)

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “Anyone could have made that mistake.” I wasn’t about to admit to how quickly I’d jumped to conclusions.

  “Your lameness aside, did you ask him about it?”

  I pulled out another lime for an order of margaritas. “Yeah, he wouldn’t explain.”

  “Kind of sketch.”

  “I know. I’m not sure whether to let it go.”

  “What does your ‘gut feeling’ say?” He used air quotes, making fun of how often I relied on my instinct.

  “To wait him out.”

  “Between this mystery and your inability to figure out Lyle’s drink, you’ve got a lot of detective work to do.”

  I laughed. “Or I need to get a life.”

  “Speaking of a life.” Macon nodded over his shoulder as Colin made his way back to the bar. He was wearing a shirt and tie. Evidently, he hadn’t gone home to change.

  “Hey.” I smiled. “You made it.”

  “I told you I would.”

  Macon looked between us. “How are you doing, man?”

  “I’ve been good. Very good.” Colin looked right at me as he spoke.

  Macon rolled his eyes. I stifled a laugh.

  “And you?” Colin asked.

  “I’ve been fine. Glad to hear things seem to be going well with you two.”

  “So am I. Did Maddy tell you about our weekend?” Colin spoke only to Macon and his tone bordered on alpha male. It annoyed me. It’s one thing for guys to have a pissing contest when they’re both trying to get in bed with you, but this one was pointless.

  “Yes, she did. Glad you guys finally got some real time together.”

  “Are you glad?” Colin asked with an edge to his voice.

  “Yeah. I’m always glad when my friend is happy.” I appreciated Macon emphasizing the platonic nature of our relationship. Colin didn’t need to feel so threatened by it.

  “Good to know.”

  “What can I get you?” I knew Colin wasn’t there for a drink, but I figured I should at least ask.

  “Surprise me.”

  “Really?” I set aside the IPA I’d already pulled out for him.

  “Yeah. I realized you’ve never made me a drink before.”

  “Okay. Give me a second.”

  All right, I had to get it right. He usually stuck to beer, so I wanted to stay away from anything sweet. But he liked lime flavor. He wouldn’t want anything complicated—he was a classic kind of guy, so I decided to go simple. A Sapphire and tonic. I went a little heavier on the Sapphire then I usually would, but I was pretty sure I had the perfect consistency for him. I stirred in some fresh lime.

  I set the drink in front of him. “I hope you like gin.”

  He sipped it. “It’s great, thanks.”

  Relieved that I’d gotten another drink right, I reached over and picked up his hand. “I’m glad you stopped in.”

  “This isn’t just a stop.” He sipped his drink again. “I’m here to take you home too.”

  Macon coughed. “Forward. Nice.”

  Colin turned to him. “Maddy’s kind of addicting.”

  “I bet.” Macon gave me a look when Colin turned away.

  “And I’ll drive you home before I go in tomorrow,” Colin added.

  “I can pick her up. We’re supposed to leave for a dive at seven thirty. She’d assured me she’d be sleeping at home.”

  Neither of them made the simple suggestion of us staying at my place. I didn’t either, our walls were entirely too thin. Instead, I made another. “Or I could borrow your car, Macon.”

  “Not a chance. I’ll pick you up.”

  Colin looked at me funny. “You have a license?”

  “Yeah. How did you think I drove your sister’s car?”

  “Oh. Good point. I didn’t think about that. I assumed that’s why you didn’t have a car.”

  “I got my license the first day I could, thank you very much.”

  “Then why no car? Money?”

  “Can you stop insinuating I’m poor?”

  Macon jumped in. “It’s because she doesn’t want to get hers from her parents’ house.”

  “Oh. Why not?”

  “Really? I’ve already told you about my relationship with them.”

  “But it’s your car.”

  “Technically, it’s not. It’s in my dad’s name, I just drove it.”

  “Oh. Well, if you need help with a down payment on a new one or something—”

  “No. No offering to buy me a car.”

  Colin laughed. “I’m not buying you a car, just helping out.”

  Macon shook his head. “She’s a keeper, man. What other girl would act like a free car was a bad thing?”

  “Is she always like this? So hesitant to accept help?”

  “I don’t know. She’s always happy enough to take my money.”

  I glared at Macon. Really helpful. “I like to do things on my own.”

  “Does she say that about sex too?” Macon grinned. I reached over to slap him, but he ducked. “You asked for that one.”

  Colin laughed. It was the kind of laugh where you could tell that he’d tried to hold it in, but it came out anyway. He also looked ready to throw in a one-liner of his own.

  “Be careful, Colin. I can change my mind in that department too.”

  “I’m not saying anything.” He mimed zipping his lips.

  “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said all night.”

  ***

  Colin came by work every night but Thursday that week. I’d prepared myself for having both him and Lyle in the same room with me, but it turned out I didn’t need to worry. Instead Colin texted me to tell me he’d be waiting for me when I got off.

  True to his word, I found him leaning against his car.

  I stopped a few steps away from him. “Any particular reason you’re waiting out here?”

  He smiled. “I thought we’d mix things up tonight. I wouldn’t want to let you get bored.”

  “Bored? I’m not worried about getting bored.” I closed the distance between us, craving his touch more than I expected.

  He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Want to take a ride?”

  “A ride? It’s pretty late.”

  “Says the person who doesn’t have to get up early for work in the morning.”

  “True enough. I’m game.” I brushed my lips against his. “I missed you tonight.”

  He opened my door. “Glad to know I was missed.”

  “Where are we going exactly?” I buckled my seatbelt.

  “Just a place I know.”

  “You really need to stop with all this mysterious stuff.”

  “Don’t pretend you don’t like it.” He grinned and pulled out onto the road.

  “How was work?” I usually avoided the topic, but it seemed like a normal enough question to ask.

  “It was all right. Busy though. Maybe one of these days I’ll have time for lunch.”

  “Can’t you pack something to bring with you?”

  “In theory.”

  I shrugged, deciding I didn’t want to lecture him on the downsides of skipping meals. We drove in silence until he turned down a small dirt driveway, stopping in front of a townhouse.

  “Where are we?”

  “Nags Heads.”

  “I know we’re in Nags Head, but where are we exactly?” I gestured to the house.

  “This is a new development of ours.”

  “And?”

  “I noticed something when I was out here today.” He stepped out of the car and walked around to open my door.

  “And this was something you had to show me at night? Do you realize it’s completely dark?”

  “Quit complaining. It’s right up your alley.” He took my hand and led me back behind the house. Security lights turned on, illuminating the night. “What do you think?” He nodded toward a large digger parked in the dirt.

  “Oh come on.” I pushed him in the arm.

  He laughed. “I know how
much you like to get it on in farm equipment, and I thought maybe construction equipment worked the same way.”

  “I’m never telling you anything again.”

  “Oh please. It’s funny.” He wrapped me up in his arms.

  “Maybe a little.”

  “Want to see the inside?”

  “Of the house?”

  “No of the digger.” He chuckled.

  I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see thanks to my position leaning against him. “Sure, let’s see the house.”

  We walked back around to the front, and he reached under a rock to retrieve a key.

  “Do you always leave keys that accessible?”

  “Not always.” He unlocked the door, and I followed him inside. He flicked on the lights, revealing a perfectly staged sitting room and dining room.

  “Nice.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “I bet this place has a great view of the ocean.”

  “That it does, but I like this room the best,” He took my hand and led me down a hallway. He stopped in a doorway. “Take a look.”

  “Wow. A two story library in a beach house?” I stepped inside the nearly empty room. Evidently they hadn’t paid to stage it.

  He moved into the room behind me. “I’m going to have one of these rooms one day.”

  “It’s missing the ladder.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. How else can you get to the books on the top shelves?”

  “Maybe they’ll put one in when they actually get books.” I pointed to the empty shelves.

  “Hopefully whoever buys this place reads. It would be a waste otherwise.”

  I walked further into the room, stopping in front of a large window, complete with a window seat. A loud rumble of thunder had me taking a step back into Colin’s arms.

  He kissed my neck, sending chills through me. “I should go close up the car.”

  “Or we could go.”

  “Do you really want to?” He nuzzled his chin against the top of my head.

  “Not particularly.” The more time I spent with Colin, the more I wanted to see him. Our work schedules, particularly his, made quality time hard to come by, but the time we did have was definitely memorable. He wasn’t what I’d been looking for in a guy, but he never ceased to surprise me and keep me on my toes.

  “Good.”

  He kissed the top of my head before running out to the car. I took a seat on the window seat while I waited, and I gazed out the window. Although dark out, the lights from the house reflecting off the water created a beautiful effect.

  “I’m back.” He walked in holding a couple of flannel blankets.

  “Dare I ask what those are for?”

  “I told you this is my favorite room in the house, but there’s no furniture.”

  “We can stand.” Of course we could also sit exactly where I was, but that would be too easy.

  “Sweetheart, you’re not going to be standing when I’m done with you.”

  I laughed at the goofy smile on his face. “As long as your plans don’t involve machinery of any kind, we’re good.”

  “Yeah? Well then I think it’s time we give this library a story to tell.”

  “You did not just say that.” I shook my head.

  “Yes I did.” He grinned.

  “Just get over here.”

  “My pleasure.” He spread a blanket out on the floor before joining me on the window seat.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I started unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Hell yeah. I’m moving up in the world. The floor is much more exciting than the couch.”

  I laughed. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Anything you want.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Do you realize how crazy you drive me?” Colin nuzzled my neck with his lips.

  I decided not to ruin the moment by telling him how much his stubble irritated my face. The more he worked, the less he shaved, and he’d been working a lot in the weeks since we’d gotten back from the wedding.

  “Do you?” His lips moved up to my ear.

  “Kind of.” I ran my fingers down his back.

  “Only kind of? Maybe I need to show you.”

  “Maybe.” I lifted my chin, giving him better access to my neck again. Despite the stubble, his lips on a certain spot on the right side of my neck single-handedly got me in the mood—not that I needed the help. Wearing only his boxer briefs when he slipped in beside me that night, I knew he was in the mood, and that only served to accentuate what I already felt. I’d fallen asleep after waiting an hour for him to join me. Colin loved having me stay over, but lately he’d been spending most of the night working anyway. Lucky for him, I appreciated his premium cable channels, and his more comfortable bed. Well, and the sex that inevitably happened when he finally turned in.

  His hands slipped under the covers to pull the t-shirt of his I was sleeping in over my head. His lips returned to my neck as his right hand pulled my panties out of the way. His hand stayed behind, and I closed my eyes.

  “Let me know when I’ve made it clear.”

  “Made what clear?” I said in a throaty voice, playing along with his talk, even though I wanted to get lost in the moment. He was definitely a talker. He’d narrate the whole thing if I let him. My answer was to keep his lips busy.

  “How crazy you make me.” He used his left hand to put my hand on him. I slipped it under his underwear, needing no more encouragement. He groaned.

  “You’re so easy to get excited,” I teased.

  “So are you.”

  I moaned, pushing off his briefs so nothing separated us. With my free hand I grabbed his ass. “I want you.”

  “Yeah? Isn’t that a coincidence? I want you too.” He moved his hand and thrust into me. Although expecting it, I still yelled out. Despite his workaholic tendencies, Colin saved plenty of energy for me.

  He moved inside me, bringing me to a new high. He was about to push me over the edge… when his phone rang.

  I opened my eyes as he reached for the spot on the nightstand where he had left his cell.

  “I have to take this.” He pulled out and rolled off me.

  “What?”

  My words were lost as he answered. “Colin here.” I watched in shock as he walked out of the room.

  I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head. Had he really just stopped like that? To take a phone call?

  I waited. Sure, I was antsy, but I knew he’d come back soon.

  Ten minutes passed. The annoyance set in.

  Twenty minutes passed, I got up to go to the bathroom.

  Thirty minutes passed, I got dressed.

  Forty minutes passed, I opened his night stand to search for something to do. I only found old school spiral notebooks. I didn’t open them. I was afraid they were the men’s equivalent of a diary, and I could respect his privacy even if I was bored out of my mind and frustrated.

  One hour passed, I tiptoed down the hall to see if I could listen in to his conversation. He was typing on his computer while still gabbing away.

  I went downstairs and found my cell. The one I’d left across the house so it wouldn’t interrupt us.

  Are you up?

  Macon texted back thirty seconds later. Yes. Are you?

  Unfortunately. Advice time.

  Oh boy. Here we go.

  Shut up.

  Ok, what’s up?

  If a girl walked out on you during sex, how long would you wait before leaving? I hesitated before hitting send, but did it anyway. If I couldn’t tell Macon, I couldn’t tell anyone.

  During, as in while in the act?

  What else would I mean?

  Foreplay…

  No. You were right the first time.

  I’ll be there in ten.

  You’ll get me?

  Yes.

  Thank you.

  Just get ready.

  I already am.

  I slipped my phon
e back into my purse and walked upstairs again, wanting to make sure he was still busy. The partially closed door to his office hadn’t budged.

  I found my sweater and headed outside. Macon was being cool enough by picking me up in the middle of the night. I wasn’t going to make him wait.

  I sat down on the stoop, picturing what Colin would think when he realized I’d left. I sighed, figuring it would probably be hours, and maybe he didn’t even care.

  Macon pulled up, and I slipped in with relief. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. Still feeling frustrated?”

  “Not frustrated. Angry.”

  He patted my leg. “Understandably. I like Colin, but this is pretty low.”

  “I know. I can’t believe it was so easy for him to stop like that. It makes me wonder what sex with me is like to him.”

  “It’s not the sex that’s the problem. It’s him.” Macon spoke firmly. I appreciated the resoluteness. My self-esteem couldn’t handle the blow it was starting to feel.

  “All he said was he had to take it, he didn’t even smile or mouth an apology.”

  “Who was the call from?” Macon drove through the dark night.

  “I assume his boss by the way he acted.” I hoped I was right. Otherwise, we had bigger problems.

  “It’s good you left. He needs to see that you’re not going to put up with that garbage.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t put up with him period. Maybe he doesn’t have room for me in his life.”

  “Normally, I’d tell you to stop being so melodramatic, but you might be right. You deserve better. You deserve a guy who worships you for the goddess you are.”

  I laughed. “Do you worship the girls you’re with?”

  “Not the ones I spend a night with, but a girlfriend, sure.”

  “When’s the last time you had a girlfriend? Two years?”

  “Something like that.” He turned on the radio, letting me know that part of the conversation was over.

  We didn’t say anything else to each other until we walked inside.

  “I wish Brody was up.” I opened the fridge looking for a snack.

  “Getting spoiled with his cooking?”

  “Very.” Brody usually cooked for us a few nights a week. Those were the meals I looked forward to.

  “He’s not that hard to wake up.” Macon got that mischievous look in his eyes.