Drunk Girl Read online

  “Yeah,” she agrees with me. It isn’t lost on me she hasn’t been able to say the word.

  “If we make it weird. Katie and Kaiden work together and are now married. Granted, they were together before we opened the bar, but it was never a problem for the two of them. Now, what would suck is, the point of hiring another bartender is so that we can have more time off, and that would have you working when I’m off. So, on second thought, no, you don’t want to come work for us,” I say on a laugh. “It would be a horrible idea.”

  “I’ll probably end up with a job at a restaurant serving that has me working similar hours as you,” she says. “Just not usually as late as the bar scene.”

  “We can take it slow, see where things go,” I suggest.

  “Sounds good,” she agrees. “Slow sounds perfect. I don’t have the best track record when it comes to relationships, so I’m sorry in advance if I screw this up.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. We’ve all made mistakes in the past. But I’m going to guess it was more the guys in your past that made the mistakes than you. Take your ex, for example. He’s the one that was cheating on you. That isn’t your fault. That’s all on him. Any asshole that would make you feel like his cheating was your fault is just trying to make you feel guilt, and try and push his decisions onto someone else. He’s the only one responsible for those decisions, not you.”

  “Where did you come from?” she asks, looking up at me with a look of astonishment. “I’ve never met a man like you.”

  “Nothing special about me, Ash. But I also know how to properly treat a woman and promise that I’ll always treat you with respect, always stop when you ask, let you set the pace of this. I’m not here to pressure you into anything you’re not ready for. I take that shit seriously. So, if this is too much for you, tell me now, because once I make you mine, I don’t think I can hold back.”

  Moisture builds up in her lashes. I reach up, cupping her face and wiping the tears from her eyes. “I hope one day you’ll tell me who hurt you. I already want to beat the shit out of them for it, and I don’t even know who the bastard is or what he did to you. But I know someone has hurt you and I promise never to do the same.”

  I place a soft kiss on her cheek as I hold her close, letting the silence surround us.

  “I was raped in college. It’s why I dropped out.” Her whisper fills the room, and my body stiffens as I hold her tighter against me.

  “I’m so fucking sorry,” I say in apology as my blood boils.

  “Tiffany and I were at a frat party. I’d had a little too much to drink and started to feel funny. This guy I’d been dancing with led me into his room and forced me down on his bed. I don’t remember much past that. I woke up in the ER. They completed a rape kit, but he used a condom. Thankfully, I didn’t contract any STDs or get pregnant, but I felt used and dirty, and like it was my fault for months afterwards. It took me almost two years before I dated again, and unfortunately, it was one bad relationship after the next for the last couple of years. My mom wasn’t the greatest example growing up. She’s gone from one loser to the next. Many who abused her, abused me.”

  “Fuck,” I seethe as I hold her tighter. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. Did they ever charge the bastard?”

  “Hardly. He got off with a slap on the wrist. It was his word against mine. He came from money and I didn’t. His parents swooped in and brought their high-priced attorney. The DA did what they could, but they played dirty and used my home life growing up against me. Tried to make it look like I targeted him because of who he was, who his family was. Tried to play it off as if I was a gold digger, looking at a big payout, when that was the farthest from the truth.”

  “What a fucking asshole.”

  “It was bad. He was very popular on campus, so everyone knew about what was going on. I was constantly being harassed by people to the point that I couldn’t go to class without being attacked verbally or spit at, bumped into hard enough to knock me over, or at least knock whatever I was carrying out of my arms and onto the ground. I even had professors who turned a blind eye to the way I was being treated, not to mention how my assignments were being graded. I filed a complaint with the university and was allowed to withdraw without being given failing grades.”

  “I am so sorry you had to live through all of that. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go back to school.” The rage I’m feeling for what Ashley went through all those years ago has me wanting to go out and find the motherfucker who did this to her and teach him a lesson, give him the beatdown he should have received behind bars. “Does the bastard live around here?”

  “No,” she says, her voice small as she holds me tight. “He was from California, and as far as I know, he moved back after he graduated. Tiffany kept tabs on him for a while, but she hasn’t mentioned him in a long time, knowing that I don’t really care to hear anything about him. As long as I don’t ever have to see him again, I’ve managed to move past that time in my life. I saw a therapist for a little while after, but had to stop going when the funding ran out from the nonprofit that helped pay for my visits. I couldn’t afford the visits on my own but was thankful for all the help they were able to provide.”

  “I’m glad you were able to get help. I can only imagine what it was like to go through all of that.”

  “It’s made me a stronger person, for sure. If money wasn’t an issue, I’d go back to school—somewhere different—and get a counseling degree, then open up a nonprofit that provides counseling to abused victims. Not just rape victims, but for women and men who have been in abusive relationships, kids who have been abused by parents or other relatives, family members, et cetera.”

  “That’s amazing. I hope your dreams come true one day,” I tell her as I squeeze her shoulders, then push her back slightly so I can make eye contact. “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but I already know you well enough to know you’d be fantastic at it. Think of all the people you could help.”

  8

  Ashley

  Opening up to Nick about my past wasn’t something I’d planned to do. I don’t like talking about it, but he made me feel so safe. I couldn’t not tell him. If anything serious is going to happen between the two of us, he should know.

  “How about some dinner?” Nick suggests as we finally pull apart. “I’ve worked you hard enough today, the least I can do is feed you once again.”

  “I could eat,” I say, just as my stomach rumbles loud enough for both of us to hear.

  “I guess so.” He laughs. “What sounds good to you?”

  “I’m easy,” I tell him, then realize how bad that sounded. “I mean, I’m not picky. Whatever you want to have is fine with me.”

  “I know what you meant,” he says, still laughing at me. “How about I order some pizza? We can watch a movie before I take you back home.”

  “Sounds good,” I agree. “But only if you order me a pizza with Canadian bacon. But no pineapple,” I add, grimacing.

  “I thought you were easy?” he teases.

  “I am, but pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza,” I say, smacking his abs. “Ever.”

  “Got it,” he says, snagging my hand and holding it against him. “Anything else you’d like on your pizza?”

  “Nope,” I tell him, popping the P. “Just Canadian bacon and I’m good.”

  “All right,” he says on a drawl, then slips his cell out of his pocket and taps away at an app for a minute. “Pizza should be here in a half hour. How about we head into the living room and find a movie to watch?”

  “What types of movies do you like?” I ask, once we’re situated on the couch together.

  “Comedies, mostly, sometimes a good action flick will interest me, how about you?”

  “I don’t usually watch many movies, but when I do, I tend to gravitate toward comedy, as well, followed closely by a good romance or drama.”

  “I love movies. Growing up, Kaiden and I would go to the movies a
lmost every weekend together.”

  “Sounds fun. Have the two of you always been close?”

  “Yep, my best friend since I can remember. We had a few years that we annoyed each other more than we liked each other, but nothing more than just normal brother shit. He hated having to include his younger brother in stuff, and I hated the fact that he was older and got to do shit I didn’t. But once we were both teens and past the adolescent stage, we were pretty inseparable. It sucked when he left for college and I was still in high school. I moped around for the first month or so after he left.”

  “That’s great that the two of you are so close. I always wanted a sibling. Tiffany is the closest thing I ever got to having a sister.”

  “I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for my brother. Our close bond has sure helped with our business relationship, as well.”

  “I bet. Whose idea was it to open a bar?”

  “Both of ours. We knew we wanted to be our own bosses, and he has a business degree, with a minor in accounting. I dropped out of school after I got my associates degree in business. Didn’t feel the need to continue on to my bachelor’s degree when I was going to be focusing on the front of house side of things. When the city started the revitalization of the downtown area, and offered up the tax breaks to businesses, we knew that was going to be the perfect location to open up, and man, were we right. It took us a few months to renovate and get things so we could open, but we’ve been busy since day one.”

  “That’s so awesome. I bet it was scary opening your own bar in such an up-and-coming part of town.”

  “Knowing that so many other businesses were committing to the area, as well as developers for housing, we were optimistic that it would pay off, and it sure has. We were profitable within our first few months of opening.”

  “Have you guys thought of opening other locations?”

  “We considered it, but we’re happy with keeping it just the one spot. Part of our appeal is the location. We get the patron looking for a laid-back place to grab a drink or two with some friends after work, the young couple looking for good, affordable food that isn’t a drive-thru, and we get the sports enthusiasts, looking to watch the game while surrounded by others looking to do the same thing.”

  “That’s awesome that you guys can cater to so many people.”

  “It really is, and it’s one of the reasons we’ve been so successful.” He pauses. “So, you and Tiffany have been friends since you were little, correct?”

  “Yes. We met in second grade, when I started at a new elementary school after yet another move my mom and I made. We’ve been inseparable since. Thankfully, when we moved again after that, we stayed within the school boundaries, so I didn’t have to switch schools.”

  “What does she do for a living?” he asks.

  “She’s a second grade teacher, and her fiancé is an engineer for the Department of Transportation.”

  “Cool, have they been together for a long time?”

  “They’re high school sweethearts, have known each other most of their lives.”

  “When are they getting married?”

  “Late September. Tiffany wanted a fall wedding, which doesn’t bode well with a teaching job. So, they’re getting married on a Saturday and that following week is fall break, so they’ll have a week to take a honeymoon.”

  “Oh nice.” Just then, the doorbell rings and he gets up to answer it. “Hungry?” he asks a few moments later, as he sets the two pizza boxes down on the coffee table in front of us.

  “Starving!”

  He walks over to the kitchen and looks in the fridge. “Can I get you something to drink? I’ve got pop, water, beer.”

  “What kind of pop do you have?”

  “Pepsi, Sprite, or root beer.”

  “I’ll take a root beer,” I tell him as I open the two pizza boxes and inhale the garlic-infused, carb-loaded yumminess that is in front of me.

  “Here ya go.” Nick hands me the bottle of root beer, along with a couple plates and napkins. I place two slices of pizza on a plate and hand it over to him, then do the same with my own.

  “Thanks,” we both tell each other at the same time.

  We dig in to our pizza, both apparently starving, as we forgo any conversation until we’ve both finished our first two pieces, and both reach for a third slice.

  “Guess we worked up an appetite,” Nick muses as I place the pizza on my plate, then take a drink of my root beer. It tastes really good and I look at the label.

  “Like it?” he asks, tipping his own bottle in my direction.

  “Yes, what brand is this?”

  “I brewed it myself.”

  “Really?” I ask, impressed, then take another drink.

  “Yep, I started brewing my own a few years ago. I’ve brewed a few beers, as well. If we ever expand, it’s something that we want to add to the bar. We’d have to brew off-site and bring it in, as we don’t have the space available to install all the equipment that would be required to make large batches.”

  “That’s so neat. I’ve never tried a home-brewed drink before.”

  “I’ve perfected this one over the years. My first batch was horrible. I had to dump it all out, it was so vile,” he tells me on a laugh. “Thankfully, with time and some experimenting, I’ve figured out the perfect recipe for this one, along with a few beers that I like making.”

  “I’ll have to try one of those next time,” I say, before finishing off my root beer.

  “That you will.” He leans over and crashes his lips against mine. “You drive me wild,” he says against my lips.

  I pull back and look him in the eye. “I could say the same about you,” I tell him as I trace his face with a fingertip.

  “Do I need to get you home?” he asks, breaking the contact and looking down at his watch. “I’ve monopolized your day and evening. I don’t want to keep you if you’ve got things to do.”

  “I’m good. I don’t have a job to go to tomorrow, remember,” I say, shrugging.

  “I’m sure that will change this week.”

  “I sure hope so,” I tell him as he pulls me against his side.

  “If you don’t need to go, we can watch that movie we talked about earlier.”

  “Don’t you need to go to bed soon?”

  “I’m good. I don’t usually go to bed until two or later. Kinda comes with the territory of closing the bar. I’m up later than that on Friday and Saturday nights, so I try not to get my schedule off by too much on the other nights, if I can help it.”

  “Have you always been a night owl?” I ask as Nick starts to rub my shoulder.

  “Pretty much.” He laughs. “You?”

  “Not as late as you, but I’m usually up until at least midnight.”

  “Well, tell me when you’re ready to go. Until then, I’m going to enjoy having you here,” he tells me, then drops his lips to my neck. As soon as his lips make contact, goose bumps break out all down my arms and legs, and sends a bolt of electricity straight to my clit. “You cold?”

  A smile crests his lips that are still hovering just over the skin right behind my ear.

  “Mhmmm,” I moan as his lips return to my skin.

  As Nick explores my neck, I turn in his arms, then slide onto his lap until I’m straddling him. I trail my hands up his chest and neck until I cup his face, then bring his lips from my neck to my own, letting him take the lead once we’re kissing once again. I can feel him hardening beneath me, and I rotate my hips as I seek the connection I so desperately need all of a sudden.

  “Slow down, babe,” Nick says against my lips, and I still in his lap.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, pulling back even farther, sliding off his lap, suddenly embarrassed I climbed into his lap and was practically dry humping the man.

  “Nothing, babe. I just don’t want to move too fast for you. Just like the other night, I didn’t want you making a decision after drinking all night, and right now, I don’t want you movi
ng things faster than you’re comfortable with.”

  “I wouldn’t have climbed on your lap if I wasn’t comfortable with where things were going,” I tell him, still embarrassed.

  “Shit,” he curses. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just didn’t want you to think I expected sex tonight.”

  “I didn’t think that at all,” I tell him, as he pulls me back into his lap and brings my face to his.

  “I’m sorry for fucking this all up. It wasn’t my intention. I won’t stop us anymore, as long as you promise me that you will stop me if things go too fast.”

  “I promise,” I tell him before crashing my lips against his once again.

  9

  Nick

  I’m such an idiot. I have a fucking gorgeous woman on my lap, who obviously has no issues with what we’re doing, and I slam on the brakes. Talk about being my own damn cock blocker.

  “I promise,” she told me just a few moments ago, and I have to believe she means it.

  I deepen the kiss, pulling her upper body flush with my own. I can feel her stiff nipples through the layers of our shirts and her bra, and I want nothing more than to feel them against my fingers or my tongue. It’s been too damn long since I’ve been with a woman, and having one here in my lap has me ready to rip our clothes off and sink inside her. I just have to get out of my own damn head that she wants the same thing.

  Ashley breaks our connection and leans back. “I think you should take this off,” she says, tugging at my t-shirt.

  “Is that so?” I drawl, then lean forward and let her drag it up my body and over my head.

  “God, I love your muscles,” she says as her hands roam over my exposed skin.

  “Glad you like them.” I flex a little, causing a giggle to slip out of her lips. “I think you should lose this,” I say, fingering her top. She immediately reaches down and pulls it over her head, leaving her perfect breasts on display just below my eye level. I lean forward and nip at the tops of them. “Your tits are perfect.”