Page 2 of Sour Notes

She giggles, her long fingernail tracing the wolf tattoo on my bicep.

I pull back and search her face. “Why are you laughing?”

This was earth-shattering, world-ending, mind-melting, but I sure as shit don’t think it’s funny.

We probably drank a little too much tonight, but the second her lips touched mine, I snapped to attention faster than a teenager hearing his mom open his bedroom door.

She blows out a breath, her hand sweeping her hair off her face, before resting on my shoulders.

“I can’t believe I fucked you in a restroom like one of your badge bunnies. Thanks for helping me out, Swayze. That really hit the spot.” She pats my shoulder and nods to the floor.

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach as I reluctantly pull out of her and spin away, ripping the condom off in frustration.

One of my badge bunnies?

Hit the spot?

What the fuck—no.

What part of me asking her on a date made any of this seem casual?

Sure, my timing wasn’t great, but didn’t she hear me?

“What are you talking about? You’re not a fucking bunny.”

“Swayze, it’s all good. You’re a great fuck. I have zero complaints. But we should head home, it’s getting late. Doing this here was a little risky.” Smiling happily up at me like she hasn’t just stomped all over my heart, she yanks up her panties and straightens her clothes, ready to bail.

Is that what she thinks of me?

What she thinks this is?

She has to know she isn’t a cheap fuck to me. She’s so much more.

She’s everything…

Well, what did you expect her to think? You’re fucking her in a bar restroom, you idiot.

“Fuck.”

We couldn’t have more opposite takeaways from this. I’m campaigning for white picket fences while she smiles and waves. Heck, she might as well have given me a Yelp rating and sent me on my way.

What was I expecting—her to take a ride on my trusty steed and fall magically in love with me?

Kiss the frog only to realize her prince has been right here all along?

The lock on the stall clicks.

She’s gonna run.

And I haven’t explained, told her what this means to me. I need to convince her to give me a chance. A real fucking chance.

Spinning round, I grab her wrist before she can pull open the door.

Her wild eyes meet mine as I grip her chin tight, keeping her from leaving me.

This can't be it.

I crash my lips onto hers, tasting the fruity cocktails she’s been drinking on her tongue.