Chapter 1 Hollis #2
“Well, that’s great,”Brett offers, his voice betraying him as it says the exact opposite. “I’ll uh, let you get back to your night, then.”
I’m flooded with relief as we all wave and say our goodbyes.
“So, boyfriend,” I manage, my voice and dignity somehow making a comeback as I turn to face the stranger. “I’m not sure whether to thank or slap you for touching me without my permission.”
My gaze drops to his arm that’s still wrapped around my middle. While he’s kept it pretty PG, his hand is hovering a little too close to my ass for my liking.
“Damn. I didn’t know my girlfriend had such violent tendencies, but if slapping is your kink, who am I to say no?
” He smiles, an annoyingly adorable set of dimples popping onto his cheeks as his arms fall from around me.
“But I suppose a thank you will suffice, or your phone number. Either works for me.”
My mouth falls open before I somewhat recover with a disbelieving, amused smile.
This guy has some balls. I’ll give him that. Too bad he’s wasting his time.
“Yeah, no—sorry. I’m not sure what all you overheard,” I say, placing a finger on his chest, becoming even more aware of the strong muscles underneath.
“But before you decided to insert yourself into my life, and just like I told him, I’m not interested.
Dating and boys are the last thing on my mind.
I don’t have the time, nor do I plan to make any. ”
“But I’m your boyfriend. We’re already together. Pretty sure that makes you legally required to spend time with me. It’s the law,” he smirks proudly as he leans against the bar.
Despite being taller than my friends at five foot eight, he somehow still manages to tower over me by a few inches as I gaze up at him.
While I’d normally find his charm attractive—and okay, maybe I still do—I refuse to be swayed.
I’m too smart to fall for an abnormally attractive man just because he knows how to spout a couple of slick lines.
I can’t be that pathetic. I need to keep some of my morals intact.
“Okay then boyfriend, what’s my name?” If he’s going to try and play this whole “fake boyfriend” card, he should at least know a few things about me.
“Babe,” he says casually, leaning in even closer, “or good girl, but that’s usually reserved just for us in the bedroom,” he teases, those same disgustingly adorable dimples appearing yet again.
I somehow manage to keep a straight face as I fight the blush creeping up my neck. “Nice try, but no. I despise those cutesy kinds of nicknames, and my real boyfriend would know that,” I say with a smug smile.
It’s obvious he’s not done, so needing an escape from those piercing dark eyes of his, I turn and flag down the bartender. So much for not going overboard tonight before my new job tomorrow. Between Brett and this relentless stranger, I need another shot—and I need it now.
“Fine. Then what do you want me to call you?” he asks.
“See, that’s the thing. I don’t want you to call me anything,” I say, my gaze locked on the bartender, who’s currently busy mixing drinks for others as Candice not so helpfully cuts in, betraying me for a second time.
Geez, Judas much?
“Hollis. Her name is Hollis.”
“Candy!” I shoot her the dirtiest look I can muster.
“What? He’s hot, and come on. You need to have a little fun while you’re here, and he...” She waves a hand up and down his body. “Looks like fun.”
“Oh, I’m definitely fun,” he adds with a wink.
“Well, I’m decidedly not fun, so I’m not so sure this is the best use of your night.
” I twirl to face him, since the bartender still hasn’t picked up on my desperation.
“I’m sure there are plenty of other women in this bar who would be interested in your kind of fun, so I suggest you stop wasting both our time and chase after them instead. ”
“And what if I only want to chase after you?” He lifts a brow. “I mean, why wouldn’t I aim high and go for the hottest woman in this fine establishment?”
I do my best not to roll my eyes at his obvious line.
“Then I’d say good luck, because sorry, well, actually no.
..” I start, tired of playing nice in order to protect a pushy man’s feelings—again.
“I’m not sorry, and it’s just not happening.
There was a reason you had to jump in and save me tonight.
And I can assure you, I’m not the type who gets a sick thrill out of playing hard to get, and you know what?
” I add, my confidence growing as I stand even taller.
“If I were going to say yes to anyone, it wouldn’t be to a pretty little fuckboy like yourself in search of a one-night stand. ”
“Aw, so you think I’m pretty?” He places a hand over his heart, looking and sounding both flattered and amused. “And who said I was only after a one-night stand?”
A teeny tiny part of me wants to give in. It’d be so easy to let go and surrender, especially as he continues to peer down at me as though I truly am the hottest woman in this bar. But thankfully, I know better.
“Nobody. But they didn’t have to. I know guys like you.
It’s obvious when a man thinks he’s God’s gift to the world and assumes any woman would feel blessed just to be given his attention, but you chose the wrong one tonight, buddy.
So it’s probably time you stop embarrassing yourself and move on,” I say, flicking my hand as I attempt to shoo him away.
Will I regret this tomorrow? Maybe. But over his shoulder, I see Brett exiting the bar, which officially means this bit is over. Mason here, is free to go and truly flirt it up with anyone he wants—and preferably not me.
“Are you sure? Because I really think we could have some fun together, Hollis,” he says, his eyes making a slow trail down my body.
God, why did my name sound so hot coming out of his mouth? Almost like a soft blanket that I wouldn’t mind wrapping myself up and getting lost in, but no. I’m not that kind of girl. I refuse to be.
Remaining strong, I straighten up. No well-rehearsed line that he likely repeats night after night to whatever woman he meets is enough to make me to change my mind.
“I’m sure we could, but while I appreciate the save, my ex has left, so your services are no longer needed.”
He seems vaguely disappointed. I can practically see the inner debate he’s having with himself on whether to keep going or surrender before finally he releases a breath and nods.
“Well, in that case, it was nice meeting you ladies,” he says, tapping his hand on the bar before taking a step back.
“And Hollis...” His eyes meet mine one final time.
“If you ever feel like changing your mind and are looking for a little fun, I’m a patient man.
I can wait as long as you need. Something tells me you’ll be worth it.
” With a final wink he turns and heads toward a group of men.
Before I can even let out a breath Logan is yanking on my arm. “Holy shit! That was hot,” she shrieks. “I can’t believe you turned that down!”
“Right?” Candice asks. “He was so into you.”
“Just like I told him—and Brett—I’m not interested. I came back to Texas to work. That’s it,” I say, doing my best to ignore the way my whole body seems to hum in protest. God, what did he do to me? I’m usually not so easily affected.
“You have your whole life to work, babe. But guys like that? Damn. I can’t believe you let him get away,” Logan says, frowning as she not-so-subtly stares at Mason and his friends—doing a pretty good impression of what Brett looked like before he left.
“Seriously. That would have been a slam dunk, too. God, the way he was looking at you.” Candice fans herself. “Hell, even I feel like I need a cold shower after watching that.”
I wave her off, even if she does have a point. “Can we please just forget about him? And Brett, too? It’s my last night before I start my new job. The only thing I want is to enjoy an evening out with my two favorite people. I’ve missed my girls.”
Okay, so maybe I’m laying it on thick, but it’s not like I don’t mean it.
Maybe it would’ve been nice to blow off some steam and get rid of the new job scaries with a night of hot sex, but this is just as good—better, even.
At least this way I won't be waking up in a strange place, being forced to play the whole ‘not interested’ game all over again while partaking in the age-old tradition of the walk of shame.
Then again, there’s a good chance I wouldn't have meant anything to him beyond being another notch on his bedpost. He can find someone else for that.
“Alright, fine,” Candice sighs loudly, as if she’s somehow doing me a favor by dropping it. “But for the record, I really think you should have gone for it.”
Thankfully, the conversation switches to Candice’s latest drama at her job. As Logan finally manages to flag down the bartender, my mind drifts back to Mason. Is it possible that I’m wrong and the three of them were right?
I don’t have to ponder for too long though as our shots are finally set down on the bar top. I clink my glass against theirs and do my best to re-frame my priorities.
Guy’s come and go. Jobs too. But these girls have been, and will always be here. Plus, they were totally wrong. They have to be. He would’ve been nothing more than my first mistake back in town.
Without a doubt, in a few days he’ll be nothing more than a distant memory we can laugh about later.