Chapter Three
Tristan
Five minutes ago, I was at the bar, sipping from a glass of beer with a perfect foamy top and trying to avoid the bartender’s roaming eye and blatant interest. She’d been giving me the look since I walked up to get my drink, but I’m not interested.
As I looked around the room, my gaze zeroed in on Kaylee, watching her ex approach with his new girlfriend.
I don’t know the details of Kaylee and Mark’s breakup, but Rainey indicated it wasn’t pretty. Even from a distance, I noticed her straighten her shoulders, her entire body stiff, the opposite of the relaxed, smiling woman I rode down the elevator with.
Mark’s cocky smirk and Kaylee’s discomfort told me all I needed to know.
She could use some backup.
I ordered a glass of red wine, tossed cash onto the bar without taking the napkin with the bartender’s phone number scrawled across it in blue pen, and strode over to Kaylee.
I heard Mark’s question and I didn’t stop to think.
I slid in next to her, pulled her lush body against mine, and announced myself as her date.
“You?” Mark asks in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”
Kaylee makes a noise that sounds like an indignant scoff. “Don’t be rude, Mark. He told you he’s my date. And he is.” She looks up at me with something like adoration in her sparkling gaze, impressing me. I’ve thrown her a curveball and she’s running with it.
Mark’s eyes narrow and I can’t hold back my grin.
“You guys … uh … you don’t seem like a likely pairing,” Mark finally says. “Kaylee’s a relationship kind of woman.”
I open my mouth to speak, but Kaylee jumps in first.
“Don’t presume to speak for me, Mark.” She eases the words by softening her voice, but I know she’s annoyed.
Still, I get what Mark’s saying. He thinks I’m a player, but I’m not.
Sure, I do the casual sex thing. It’s fun and easy, but I’m looking for a serious relationship.
I just haven’t found the right woman and usually realize pretty quickly whoever I’m with isn’t the one, so I end things and don’t look back.
Why dwell on the past when the person wasn’t right for me to begin with? But the ease with which I move on has given me the reputation of a playboy. I’ve never let anyone’s opinion bother me. I know I don’t use woman and discard them, so gossip doesn’t matter.
I realize Mark is still staring and I need to step in. “I guess I’m just lucky Kaylee gave me a chance despite my reputation,” I say to her ex.
I’ve never liked the man. He’s Eric’s best friend, so we’ve hung out a few times, and he comes across as too self-involved.
All he ever talks about is himself. Though I have to admit, he’s not doing that now.
In fact, he’s stewing in silence as he grinds his teeth together and glares at us in silence.
His girlfriend, meanwhile, is shifting from foot to foot, obviously uncomfortable.
I sip my beer and keep my grip on Kaylee who’s staring at me in shock. I absentmindedly rub my thumb along her hip, and she shudders. She’s so sensitive and responsive, my cock grows heavy in my pants. A crowded restaurant isn’t the best place to get an erection, but I doubt anyone will notice.
To help sell our relationship, I tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear and stare into her eyes, silently willing her to relax.
For just a moment, everyone else in the restaurant fades away.
Kaylee’s breath escapes through her plump, parted lips.
Only inches separate us and her pupils expand as she looks into my eyes.
The air is thick with sexual tension, and I forget about pretending for the sake of Kaylee’s ex.
I forget about the reason we’re even here.
She’s awakened a hunger inside me and I need a taste.
But just when I’m about to lean in and steal a kiss, Mark clears his throat. “There’s no need for the two of you to be all over each other,” he says, jaw tight.
Kaylee shifts away, and the interruption is like being doused with cold water. The rest of the world comes back into focus around us, and the fire that’s burning through my veins cools. For now.
“Come on, Shannon. We’re going to get a drink.”
She stares at us, brow furrowed, eyes narrowed, and I wonder if he realizes how obvious his jealousy is.
He turns away and stalks toward the bar, not bothering to make sure Shannon is following.
“What the hell was that?” Kaylee asks, sounding more confused than angry. “What were you thinking declaring us a couple?”
I let out a chuckle. “Isn’t it obvious? I just saved you from an awkward situation.”
She shakes her head. “You know we’re here for the next three days, right? If we don’t keep up the ruse, it’ll be way more embarrassing for me.”
Something I’d never let happen.
I like Kaylee. We’ve known each other for a while, though we aren’t close.
But I’ve noticed her whenever she’s at the club with Rainey.
Not only is she pretty, she smiles often and, best of all, she’s self-aware and unpretentious.
Given her friendship with my best friend’s fiancée, I’ve steered clear.
We’ve never interacted one-on-one for a prolonged period of time.
Never been this close before. Her hair smells like coconut, and I can feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress.
“Well?” she asks, and I realize my thoughts drifted.
At this point, I’m noticing too much about her, and I step back and take another sip of my beer. “Well, sweetheart. I guess that means I’m your boyfriend for the weekend.”
Which won’t be a hardship for me.