Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
MIC
A nother job done meant that me and the boys were celebrating at the local watering hole. In this case, it is an Irish pub on the outskirts of New Orleans, where the drinks are strong, and the women are out in droves.
After a hard month of welding a new barge, we all more than deserve a little rest and relaxation, and the city provides it in abundance. Two women on either side of me fight for my attention as I finish the last of my bourbon. Just when I’m about to suggest the three of us take this argument to my room, the double doors of Voodoos swing open, and a crew that looks dirtier than my own walks in. A fiery redhead leads them inside and walks straight up to the bar. My eyes are glued to her as the world seems to spin for everyone else but me. She commands the dirty dudes to break off as if I looking for someone instead of having a good time. The scene captivates me, but my distraction only sends the two women by my side into a frenzy. Suddenly, I’m being smacked in the biceps as if I’ve done something to offend them.
“The fuck did I do?” I say, looking at the blonde offender.
“Nothing. All night, you buy me drinks, and now what, you’ve got nothing else to say to me? Are you picking her?”
The brunette to my right suddenly sits up straighter as if the blonde’s declaration is fact.
“Listen, ladies, it’s been fun. I hope you enjoy your night,” I say, slapping a hundred-dollar bill on the counter for the bartender, who nods in gratitude.
Sadly, I fail in my attempt to escape as the two women decide to attack me with their purses, smacking me on the chest.
“Ladies, ladies, surely this big oaf didn’t do anything that terrible to offend you.” The firecracker slides up to the bar, inserting herself in front of the blonde.
The bartender hands her three pink shots, and suddenly, the two vixens don’t want to beat on me anymore. She must be a witch. The spell works wonders as the three women take the shots. They start up a conversation as if I no longer exist even though my ass is still firmly stuck on the bar stool, truthfully too afraid and far too mesmerized to try to move.
“I have to pee. Come with me?” The blonde asks the brunette, the two suddenly best friends.
When the two are gone, I sit and stare, waiting for the mystery woman to talk first, but she doesn’t. Not to me, anyway. She thanks the bartender and stands, ready to leave.
I know this is my only chance to make a move, but I’m not a man with any game. I’m a giant with dirty clothes on who only pulls the attention of women on payday. This dame looks like she couldn't care less about how many drinks I could buy her, leaving me with only one option.
I nod to Kurt, who seems to read my unspoken request, and cuts off the beauty before she gets very far.
“Hey beautiful, where have you been all my life?” He smiles down at her, and my fists instantly clench.
I know this plan could backfire. Kurt is a damn good welder, but if he ever wanted to quit, I’m man enough to admit his pretty face could land him a modeling job.
“Fuck off!” She barks at him at the same time I do.
I’m standing close behind her and when she spins to look up at me, I catch the scent of Vanilla. Maybe it’s her shampoo. It’s subtle, but there’s no mistaking it’s her. Simple and delicious.
With his hands up in surrender, Kurt steps back into the crowd. Disappearing as the feisty redhead turns to glare up at me. I have her full attention now…what the fuck am I going to do with it? With a deep breath, I lean down to her ear. I cut off whatever she is about to say, and her words die inside her gaping mouth.
“Play pool?” I ask.
She looks unsure, so I nod to the VIP lounge, which is much quieter and houses the only pool table in the establishment.
“Please,” I add closer to her sweet-smelling skin this time. To my amazement, she nods. It might be a bit skeptical, but she takes my offered hand. She places her small, soft one on my big, ugly one, and I lead her through the crowd. People don’t need much motivation to move for my big ass, and we approach the bouncer who nods his approval at the sight of me, letting us in. Needless to say, I’ve spent my share of money at this establishment, and with that comes recognition.
The beauty walks past me as I hold open the door, her scent wrapping around me like a spell. She’s intoxicating and making my mouth water at the mere thought of how her skin must taste.
Without a second glance back or further invitation, she puts her drink down and grabs a pool cue. The balls are set, so I follow suit, thinking about what I should say, all while feeling tongue-tied and afraid to say anything that will send her running. I’m a brute, and I’ve never been called charming, but for the first time in my life, I wish that fact were different.
“That was pretty impressive wing-man action out there. Thanks for the assist, I’m Mic,” I say, attempting casual chat as I pull my own stick from the wall.
She lines up and takes a shot, breaking the balls across the table and dropping in three solids.
The woman is a ball buster, that’s for fucking sure.
“Mallory, and who said I did it for you and not to save those poor women from heartache?”
Mallory. I cement the name to my memory, positive I’ll never meet another woman who affects me so easily.
“Why do you assume I had any plans with them at all?” I retort, rubbing the nape of my neck.
She shrugs, then sinks in one more ball, but misses the next. I line up to take my shot, pointing to the side pocket. I drop one stripe in and miss my next shot.
“Call me wrong, then. Tell me you didn’t have a threesome in mind.”
I should lie. If I ever needed to lie in my life, it should be right now. The problem is I’m fucking horrible at it. Blame it on my Pastor father, but I never pull off an untruth even when I really need to.
“No. Nope.” I say, shaking my head, but I feel the heat crawling up my neck. Fuck. “I wasn’t thinking that.”
Curly red hair falls back off her shoulders as she tips her head up, laughing hysterically at me. Pretty white teeth and sparkling green eyes take the sting of embarrassment away. Hell, I’ll act a fool just to make her laugh again.
“Wow, you are officially the worst liar I have ever met.”
I feel the heat and must look red as a tomato, but I say nothing more while she takes her shot.
“I think I like that about you, though. You must be an honest man, since you definitely can’t get away with lying.”
With a deep sigh, I relent. “It’s not something I normally do, but I sure was hopin’ it would get me out of that awkward truth.”
“Eh, don’t be too hard on yourself. If truth be told, I hoped to join those two myself.”
Then she fucking winks at me as my shock, and instant erection destroys all my working brain cells.
“You alright there, big guy?”
I shake my head, not bothering to pretend I’m not affected. She blesses me with laughter again, then slides up in front of me.
“You want to take me home tonight, Mic?” Mallory says, running her hand up my chest.
“I got a suite right next door,” I blurt.
She nods to the door and commands, “Take me there. Now.”
Wasting no time, I grab her hand and lead her out. Not glancing back at my men or thinking twice about the decision to take this beauty to bed this very minute.
God must be favoring the ugly tonight because this woman is a million times out of my league, and she’s still purring under my big arm as I hold her close, hurrying out of the busy lounge.