Page 6 of Trials of a One Night Stand
Implying I want to get shit-faced on this handsome stranger’s dime probably isn’t my smartest move, but that seems to be tonight’s theme. Agreeing to attend Ali’s bachelorette party was my first mistake, but I didn’t have a choice with my cousin Lottie attending, because we both work with the groom, Gavin. I should have never gotten her a job at the firm.
Oh, well… Lesson learned.
I glance from Nathaniel, who’s calling over the bartender, to the group of women I have spent too many hours with already. Lottie waves at me. At least she’s having fun.
Me? Not so much until now that I’m away from the party.
Not everything about today has been bad. We started with mani-pedis at a local salon. The champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries were delicious. Next, we went to a local seafood place for dinner, so my stomach was full of delicious food. This bar was the next stop and, while a glass of wine is plenty for me, everyone else ordered a special drink the bar was known for—The Rum & Aperol Love Potion Cocktail.
Things have gone downhill since the drinks and one of the male strippers hired by the maid of honor showed up at our table. The party will soon be moving to a private space somewhere within walking distance of the bar where more strippers will be waiting. Let’s just say the regret set in. I’ve been counting each minute until I could gracefully make my escape to the bar.
I mean, who really wants to play Pin the Penis on the spouse-to-be? I have to see Gavin at the office on Monday morning. No, thank you.
Maybe I’m just too old for phallic-shaped candies and whistles and whatever else is in the goody bag handed out during dinner. Most of the women are in their twenties, while I’m closer to forty.
My solution to getting through the rest of the night was to drink enough to forget where I am and what I’m being forced to see. I figured shots would help. A good plan, right?
I just never expected to meet a handsome man who wants to buy me a drink. I look at Nathaniel and smile. Something in his eyes tells me he’ll give me whatever I want, and I’m considering taking him up on it.
Boy, am I.
“Your friends miss you yet?” he asks.
Maybe Lottie, but she knows how uncomfortable I’ve been. “No.”
“Good.”
“Is it?”
Nathaniel nods, appearing confident and strong, both of which are turn-ons to me. I also enjoy how he isn’t afraid to let his emotions show. I hope that means he doesn’t play games. “The bartender knows his assignment, and so do I.”
Maybe I won’t be free of the innuendos with him, but I don’t mind as much. Given how my long-term relationship imploded, the rush of feminine power is heady.
Why shouldn’t I enjoy myself for once?
I bat my eyelashes, something I think you’re supposed to do when you flirt. I’d been in a relationship for nearly nine years, so I forgot what being single entails. “What’s that?”
“Make sure you have fun tonight with your party or without them.”
All right then. “You come up with that yourself?”
He nods slowly. “Impressed?”
I give him a once-over. Yes, the man is gorgeous. I’d say he was my type if I was aiming for someone out of my league, but tonight, I’ll pretend I’m the bigger catch. I shrug. “It’ll take more than that.”
“Ouch.” Nathaniel places his hand over his heart as if I shot him. He leans closer to me, cutting the distance between us in half. It wasn’t much to start. “But this playing hard to get is a turn-on for me.”
Somehow, I laugh instead of blush. Yes, I’m definitely pretending to be something I’m not with him.
The bartender places a round of shots for us on the bar and winks as if he knows a secret. I’m sure, given his occupation, he knows many, but I keep my secrets to myself—always have.
“So we’re doing this?” I ask coyly. Well, as coyly as I can muster, given neither coy nor sexy aren’t ways anyone would describe me. Practical, yes. Prim, maybe. Proper, most definitely.
He flashes a devilishly charming smile. “Of course, we are. You threw down the gauntlet.”
“The gauntlet?”
“I need to impress you.” As his voice drops lower, a flirty expression forms on his face. “And, Jayne, I’m always up for a challenge.”
