TWO TAMMY #2
Shortly after graduating from high school, I’d married a dictator. I’d wasted three years with Brad because my sister told me that since he wasn’t in the military, he was less likely to cheat on me. I’d known she was jaded because of our dad, but I was too, so I’d listened.
The thing was, I was in the military. I’d given my life away to the Army for twenty years. There was a pattern there of being told what to do by other people in my life. These last few years, I’d decided to live for myself. It felt damn good, and I was the happiest I’d been in years.
But I also needed to take a moment to breathe. If I didn’t take a step back and calm my pre-menopausal hormones, I’d end up letting him take me right here behind this bar.
Breathe, Tammy. You got this.
Thankfully, my tight jeans would keep my panties firmly in place.
For a few hours at least.
“Here you go,” I said as I placed his food down in front of him. “Would you like anything else?”
His gaze was on mine as he paused for a moment. “Nothing that’s on the menu.”
I felt heat creep up my cheeks.
I, Tammy Lynn Tivoli, was blushing.
I did not blush.
Until now, apparently.
I cleared my throat as I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind.
I was tired. I hadn’t had much sleep last night, and my brain was losing it. That had to be why.
“What about you?” His gravelly voice broke me out of my stupor. “You married or have a man, Tammy?”
“Nope. I’m happily divorced and free as a bird.”
I watched as he grinned and then winked as he placed a French fry into his mouth, never breaking eye contact with me.
The heat in his eyes burned right through me. There was something about the way he looked at me, a hunger that felt like he’d wanted me for years, even though we’d only just met. And that look made it clear that he knew this attraction wasn’t one sided.
There were many attractive men who had sat at this bar before. There was something different about Ray, though. He hadn’t been the one to flirt first. Oh, he sure flirted back, but he’d also been polite, attentive, and genuinely fun to banter back and forth with.
“How late do you keep this place open?” he asked.
I tilted my head in bemusement. “Depends on who’s sitting at the bar. Some company’s worth overtime.”
“Present company included?”
I pretended to think about it for a minute. “You don’t strike me as a man who fishes for compliments, Ray.”
“I’m not.” His demeanor was calm but exuded confidence. “I was just trying to figure out when you leave for the night so I can find out if I can join you.”
I wasn’t opposed to having one-night stands, but I generally avoided doing them with people who came into the bar, especially regulars, because that could get awkward.
Years in the Army had taught me to always be cautious of people and oftentimes think worst-case scenarios, so I didn’t tend to do one-night stands with complete strangers, either.
My usual go-to plan was to meet a guy somewhere other than the bar, make them take me on a few dates, have sex, and then bail.
I didn’t do attachments anymore. I was divorced, my parents were divorced, and so were many of my colleagues. Though lately that trend was changing, as several of my friends had gotten married and it seemed to be sticking.
That was what made Ray seem perfect. He was here for a few days visiting a friend, and then he’d go home.
He hadn’t given off any scary vibes. This man definitely had secrets, but being a serial killer or a masochistic creep probably wasn’t one of them.
“Chuck is closing down,” Axel said next to me, startling me a little.
I hadn’t even realized he’d come right up to my side.
I shook my head at him. “What?”
He paused, looking at me with a little concern. “I said Chuck is closing down the kitchen. Last call for any food.”
Ah, got it. Chuck was one of three full-time cooks we had on staff, and he had been here the longest. He was a great guy but definitely a grumpy introvert who lived and died by the clock. If we closed the kitchen at midnight, he let us know at 11:59 that he was done in one minute.
I nodded at Axel and turned back to Ray.
“Would you like any dessert?” I asked, knowing I needed to hurry before Chuck walked out.
“What exactly are you offering, Tammy?” A sly smirk played at his mouth as he tossed my words back at me. “What kind of man do you think I am?”
Oh, this was definitely full-blown flirting now. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
“Hmm,” I said, pretending to think about my answer. “Maybe one who’s up for a challenge?”
He leaned in closer again, speaking very deliberately and measured. “Tell me more about this challenge. What kind of skills do I need for this challenge?”
“Definitely dedication. And focus. Attention to detail,” I added and then paused for dramatic effect. “Stamina. Lots of stamina.”
“I think I can handle that.” His voice was low as he clasped his hands and put his forearms back onto the bar, leaning toward me. “When do you plan to get off tonight, Tammy?”
“That depends on how good you are and how long you can last,” I said with a smirk.
There was a brief moment in which I wasn’t sure if he would get my joke, but the slow grin he gave me in return let me know he not only understood, but he appreciated it.
“Good to know. Now, when do you get to leave here? Because I’m really hoping we can leave together.”
The heat in his voice went straight to my core.
“You ask all your bartenders out?”
“Only the ones I don’t want to forget in the morning.”
“Flattery and smooth-talking. Dangerous mix.”
“But worth it. I promise.”
I knew he was probably right, and that was the scariest part. Ray was the type of man who looked good enough to ruin your night—possibly your life—and I was excited for it.
To be honest, I didn’t really want to go home alone anyway.
Last night I had crashed from a pure adrenaline drop only.
I knew how to protect myself. I was an Army veteran, for heaven’s sake.
But I also knew being with someone else was often safer.
Plus, sex was a great stress reliever, and I knew I was definitely stressed.
So not only would Ray provide the security of not being alone, but he also promised a night of fun.
As days went…today had sucked. Really, the last two days had both sucked. But if it ended with this man’s hands and mouth on me, I figured it couldn’t be all that bad.
I put my hand on my hip to give the illusion of casual vibes, even though my heart rate proved otherwise. “Alright, stud. You want to come over to my place?”
“I’d love to.”