Q
Even though I knew it was the booze talking, it was good to see Jules cut loose and have a good time.
Her walls were down, and for the first time since we’d met, she seemed happy, confident even, and I would’ve given anything to make the moment last. I gave her a playful smile as I teased, “How about that! You made one.”
“Um-hmm. I sure did.” Jules was well on her way to being completely wasted, and while I was enjoying the show, I knew there would be hell to pay later. “Aaa-nnd I’m gonna make ann-other one.”
“That’s right, Jules.” Caroline swayed a little in her seat. “You show him how it’s done.”
“Oh, I’m gonna. You just wait and see.” She staggered up to the table and lined up her shot, and after several failed attempts, she finally managed to make contact with the ball.
I wasn’t surprised that it didn’t make it into the pocket, but Jules, on the other hand, seemed positively stunned.
“What! No way! This stupid table is rigged.”
“It’s not rigged, babe.” I felt a little bad fucking with her, but I couldn’t help myself. “You just suck.”
“I don’t suck! You suck!” Her words were slightly slurred, but flirty as she added, “And you’re mean.”
“Not mean, darlin’.” My lips curled into a smile. “Just honest.”
“Mean and arrogant.”
“Arrogant?”
“Don’t try to deny it. You know you are.
” Her expressions were dramatic, and her words were over-accentuated, which made everything she did and said even more humorous.
“Mister I’m So Sexy in my leather jacket.
You know, there’s no reason anyone should be as good-looking as you are. It’s insulting.”
“Insulting?”
“Um-hmm.” Hayes handed her another shot, and before I could stop her, Jules tossed it back. She slammed the shot glass back down on the table as she told me, “You should be more considerate of others.”
“Sorry, babe, but that’s not something I can help.”
“Oh, no. You do that shit on purpose.” She stepped closer as her eyes skirted over me. “I mean, look at ya. You got those sexy, come-hither eyes and perfect full lips, and if that isn’t bad enough, you gotta go and smell good, too. It’s just not right.”
“I didn’t realize it was such a problem.”
“Well, it is.” She inched even closer. “But don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
“I’m a kind person.” A sexy smirk crept across her sexy, little mouth as she added, “It’s one of my best attributes.”
“You have many favorable attributes.”
My attention was drawn to Hayes when he stepped up to the table and took his shot. When the ball bounced out of the pocket, Caroline cheered, “Whoop! Whoop! Looks like it’s time for you boys to drink!”
“Looks that way,” Hayes replied with a chuckle.
“It’s about time.” She hopped off her seat and waddled over to the bottle of Tequila. After pouring us both a drink, she lifted the glasses high and shook her hips. “Come and get ‘em.”
Once we’d tossed them back, Hayes motioned Caroline forward and said, “Your turn, beautiful.”
“Unless you want to take a break,” I offered.
It was clear from the way they were behaving that the numerous shots were having their effect on both Caroline and Jules, and I was worried that it would be too much for them. I’d hoped that she would take me up on my offer, but instead, she replied, “No need for that. I’m good.”
Caroline made her way over to the table, then leaned in to make her shot. Seconds later, balls went rolling, but none made it into the pocket. It wasn’t until Hayes went over to pour the shots that I noticed that Jules was gone. I scanned the bar from front to back but saw no sign of her.
I waited a moment, hoping that she might come back. When she didn’t return, I decided to go look for her. I’d just started down the hall to the bathrooms when the door to the women’s restroom opened, and Jules stepped out. I walked over to her as I asked, “Hey, you okay?”
“Um-hmm. I’m fine,” she answered in a whisper.
“Good.”
We stood there for a moment, just looking at one another, and then Jules turned to leave. She took a step and tripped, stumbling into my arms. I quickly grabbed her, helping her steady her feet. We were just inches apart, her chest pressed against mine when her eyes drifted down to my mouth.
I knew what she was thinking.
Hell, I was thinking the same damn thing.
But I didn’t think she’d follow through and kiss me until I felt her lips press against mine.
I should’ve stopped her, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.
Having her close felt too damn good. I slipped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer, and a light moan vibrated through her chest when I ran my tongue across her bottom lip.
I was treading on a dangerous path, but I couldn’t help myself. Neither of us could. Her hands wound around my neck, and her fingers raked through my hair as I deepened the kiss. It felt incredible to have her in my arms. I didn’t want to let her go—not now. Not ever.
We were both lost in the moment when I heard a man clearing his throat. I immediately pulled back, breaking our embrace, and I wasn’t pleased to find an old pervert standing there watching us. I gave him an angry scowl, and it wasn’t long before he disappeared down the hall.
As soon as he was gone, Jules gave me a casual pat on the shoulder, then started back to the bar as she announced, “I need another shot.”
“You sure about that?”
“Absolutely,” she shouted. “Might take two.”
“Jules!”
Ignoring me, she went over to our table and poured herself another shot. She salted the crook of her hand, then gave it a lick before drinking the shot. Her face twisted into a grimace as she swallowed. She sucked on her lime for a moment, and I thought that would do her. It didn’t.
She poured another, and within seconds, it was down the hatch.
“And that, my friends, is how it’s done.” Hayes shook his head and chuckled, then turned to me and said, “It’s your go, brother.”
“Good.” It was time to put an end to this game, so I grabbed my pool stick and took the shot. As soon as the ball dropped into the pocket, I moved to the next and then, the next. When the eight ball was all that remained, I announced, “Left corner pocket.”
The words had barely left my mouth when the eight ball slammed into the left corner pocket. Hayes almost sounded disappointed when he announced, “And that’s game, ladies.”
“That was awesome.” Caroline smiled as she said, “Thanks for letting us play.”
“You wanna play another round?”
“That’s a hard pass for me. I’m... ah done,” Jules slurred. “I gotta get home. My bed is calling my name.”
“But how are you going to get home?” Caroline was buzzed but still had the wherewithal to remember that Jules needed a way home. “You’ve been drinking, Hun. You can’t drive.”
“I’m not gonna.” Jules grabbed her phone from her pocket. “I’m gonna call an uber.”
“No, you’re not.” I stepped over to her as I ordered, “I’m taking you home.”
“What? No, I can...”
“I’m taking you home, Jules. It’s not up for discussion,” I insisted. “Now, give me your keys.”
“So bossy.” She swayed over to the table and grabbed her purse. She started fumbling around inside and after several seconds of searching, she pulled them out and announced, “Found them!”
“Good girl.” Fearing she might lose her balance, I took hold of her arm and led her toward the front door as I told Hayes, “Make sure Caroline gets home safe.”
“Will do, brother.”
Once we were outside, I helped Jules into her car, then closed the door behind her.
I walked around and got in next to her, then started the car.
I’d planned on taking her home until I looked over and found her practically passed out in the seat.
There was no way in hell I was going to leave her alone while she was incapacitated, so I decided to take her to my place.
It took just over twenty minutes to get to the house, and even with all the twists and turns, Jules never even budged. I pulled up to the back door, then parked and got out. When I opened Jules’s door, she groaned, “I’m good. Just leave me here.”
“Sorry, babe. Not gonna happen.” I unbuckled her seatbelt, then gave her a gentle tug. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
“I can’t,” she whined.
Realizing she wasn’t going to be any help, I slipped my arms under her and lifted her from the seat. The second her body collided with my chest, she fussed, “Wait, stop. I’m too heavy.”
“You’re not too heavy.”
“You’re crazy,” she muttered, all the while wrapping her arms around me and resting her head on my shoulder. “You’re gonna throw your back out.”
“I’m gonna be fine.”
I continued up the steps, and after some careful finagling, I opened the door and took her inside.
I carried her over to the sofa and laid her down.
She looked like an angel all curled up with her eyes closed.
Worried she might get cold, I pulled a blanket over her legs, then headed for the kitchen.
I hadn’t gotten far when I heard Jules gasp, “Oh, God! Where’s the bathroom?”
She tossed the blanket back, then without waiting for my response, she bolted down the hall. I rushed after her, and when I made it to the bathroom, I found Jules on the floor with her head in the commode. I stepped over to her and pulled her hair back as I asked, “Oh, damn, babe. You okay?”
“No.” Her words echoed against the porcelain as she groaned, “I’m gonna die.”
“You’re wasted, but you’re not gonna die.”
“No, this is it. I’m gonna die.” Jules leaned further into the toilet and got sick once again. “Just shoot me, please. Put me out of my misery.”
“Sorry, babe.” I released her hair just long enough to get a wet rag and place it on the back of her neck. “Can’t do it.”
“Why not? Aaughhh.” she whined. “You’d be doing me a favor.”
“You say that now, but tomorrow will be a different story.”