Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
The only time Alex looked at me with anything other than hatred and derision was when we played our little game. We’d spent that entire summer trying to one-up each other, pulling pranks, and setting out to humiliate the other. I’d never forget the fire in his eyes the first time I’d called him FL.
This night kept getting better.
The moment Alex noticed me, his entire body stiffened, and a familiar burning hatred flared in his gaze. I was helpless to do anything but smirk. I sure couldn’t stand and shake his hand to let the others know we were acquainted. Not unless I wanted Alex to see how my body reacted to his practically naked one. I’d never give the grouch that kind of ammo. He could be vicious when he wanted to be.
His shock disappeared after only a few seconds. He placed a hand on his hip and cocked it to the right. “Hey, boys,” he crooned, his voice thick with flirty interest that had my jaw hitting the floor.
Holy shit, who knew the man could sound like pure sex?
“As Luke said,” he crooned, “I’m Alex, and I will be at your beck and call tonight. So, are we celebrating anything special tonight?”
I had to hand it to him. Had I not known his deep-seated loathing of me, I’d never have guessed. He radiated seductive, flirty, and eager-to-please vibes, all things I knew him not to be. He was as ornery as they came and always willing to fight dirty.
And yet, I’d never been able to help myself around him. “We’re celebrating all kinds of things tonight, Alex.”
“Damn straight we are!” Turk said with a whoop. “And we’re starting with some Reposado!”
“You got it,” Alex said with a smile for Turk. “How do you want that? Shots? Margaritas? Saturday is our Golden Day, so we have a signature cocktail called Liquid Gold with Patrón, Cointreau, lime, honey, and bitters. It’s topped off with some gold flakes.” His eyes flared as though teasing us with knowledge only he had. “Because, you know, why not?”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. Poor Alex. Part of him must die inside each time a customer blew money on gold flakes for their drink.
“That sounds perfect,” I said, grinning. “The Liquid Gold thing. For all of us.”
His eyes narrowed.
“In fact, I think that might be my drink of choice all night.” I couldn’t help myself. Riling Alex up had always been too damn fun. And seeing the annoyance flash across his face didn’t disappoint. Excitement bubbled up in me, the first I’d felt in a long time.
“You won’t regret it,” he said with the fakest damn smile.
“Shots too,” Turk chimed in. “I wanna start with a round of shots.”
“Perfect. There’s bottled water on the table, and I’ll be bringing a charcuterie board out for you to nibble on. Any allergies I need to be aware of?”
Turk rubbed his stomach as he glanced around the table. We all shook our heads. “Nope. I eat everything,” he said with a wink for Alex. “Everything.”
Alex’s face turned red, and he chuckled. “Careful, John Turko. I happen to know you caused a bit of a media shitstorm last month because of your… eating habits.”
Well, shit, it looked like Alex was a hockey fan.
Turk’s jaw hit the table. He’d been caught by a paparazzi blowing a guy behind his apartment building last month, which had landed him in hot water with his team’s PR department.
“Be right back with your drinks.” Alex winked.
I burst out laughing as Alex turned and sashayed away, and I got my first glimpse of his backside. The laughter died in my throat, nearly turning into a groan. Christ, those shorts were sinful. Two plump round ass cheeks I’d kill to squeeze, bite, or sink my dick between shifted side to side as he strode away from us.
In theory, of course. I’d never actually go after Alex. The man was pricklier than a hedgehog and didn’t do it for me at all.
Well, his ass did it for me, but my eyes and dick didn’t care who a stellar ass belonged to. The rest of me found his personality among the most off-putting a person could have.
“Did our server just throw some serious shade my way?” Turk asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I think so, man.” Spencer chuckled as he shook his head. “He’s feisty.”
“You have no idea,” I whispered, still staring at the man in question.
“What’s that, man?”
I blinked at Turk. “What? Oh, no, just wondering when our drinks were gonna get here.”
“Dude, give the guy a minute. He walked away like three seconds ago.” Turk laughed and then got drawn into a conversation with the other guys, allowing me to continue creeping on Alex.
He said something to a much smaller guy dressed in the same ridiculous uniform, and one of the bartenders. They both laughed, then the bartender said something back that had Alex throwing his head back and laughing so hard I could almost hear him over the music.