*Blake sat down on the stool he’d seen Tori leave a couple minutes ago. He threw an arm around the back of Kristen’s chair and grinned.
Damn, she’d sure moved fast while he was finding parking.
“Hey, sexy, it’s been what? A couple months?”
Kristen’s mouth fell open, and he could see her trying to figure out what he was doing here. What he was playing at.
“Hey, I’m Blake.” He grinned and reached past her to shake the other man’s hand.
“Uh, Lee.”
It was an effort not to break the other man’s fingers when he thought about the way he’d grabbed Kristen’s thigh and kissed her neck a second ago.
“I just wanted to say hi to Kris here real quick.”
“Oh. Sure.” Lee looked at Kristen and then Blake before he fell back slightly.
“Blake, what are you doing here?” She grabbed his thigh, digging her nails into his jeans, while her gaze shot out warnings.
“I just saw you across the bar and thought I’d apologize.”
“It’s fine. Whatever it is, it’s—”
“Nope, I shouldn’t have lost my temper the way I did.”
“Blake.”
“I mean, hell”—Blake leaned back and grinned—“it’s not like you knew you had chlamydia at the time.”
The color leached from Kristen’s face before surging back and leaving her red.
Lee made a choking noise and scrambled off the bar stool. “Yeah, I just remembered I have somewhere I need to be.”
And then the fungus was gone as quickly as he’d hit on Kristen.
Well, his work here was done. Blake flagged down the bartender. “Can I get a Coke?”
The bartender nodded and went to fill it for him.
“You dirty bastard.” Kristen’s words came slow and unsteady. “You just sabotaged me.”
Blake glanced over at her. Her eyes were bright with fury and her hand trembled. He hid a smile because she was kind of adorable all furious like this. Not that she’d appreciate him saying that.
He shrugged. “You’ll thank me later.”
“The hell I will.”
It was hard not to sigh. She really needed this spelled out. “The guy’s looking for any hole to stick his dick in. You would’ve been lucky to experience any kind of pleasure. You don’t want a guy like that for your first time.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Oh, and like you would’ve been much better?”
That gave him pause. He swept a gaze over her, taking in the red dress that hugged all her petite curves and was slit high on the thigh. Her cleavage was plumped up and peeking over the neckline of the dress.
How had he ever thought her scrawny?
The image of her leaning against the side of the building in the alley, dress up around her waist and his mouth between her legs flickered through his mind before he could stop it.
He lifted his gaze and caught hers, holding the stare until he heard her breath hitch. Her eyes widened, and he knew she could practically read his thoughts.
“Yeah, I would’ve.” He kept his reply soft. “And you would’ve begged for more.”
The breath she drew in was unsteady. “You sure are full of yourself.”
He laughed and sipped his Coke that had just arrived.
“Not to mention cliché. I mean, every man thinks he’s a god in bed.” She turned away and took a sip of her drink, but he noticed her hand still trembled. “But I’ll just have to take your word for it anyway because that boat sailed last night.”
Blake blinked. How in the hell had he forgotten who he was talking to? He’d just made some seriously filthy comments to his friend’s little sister. Again.
What the hell was wrong with him?
“How did you even know where to find me?” She cast him a sideways glower. “Did you follow me?”
Blake shrugged. “Your brother got a little worried with how you gals were dressed when you left.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Does he know?”
No way was he showing his cards. Blake shrugged. “Nah, he just saw you and Tori leaving the house looking like you were on the prowl.”
Speaking of Tori. He glanced around to see where she was and found her in the booth deep in conversation with the same guy she’d been talking to earlier.
“I told her we should’ve just changed in the car. I don’t see why it would bug James so much, though.”
Blake swung his attention back to Kristen. “Maybe because you’re his kid sister and he cares about you.”
She scowled. “You should’ve lied and said you lost us.”
He could’ve—and maybe he should’ve. But he’d sworn to follow her and make sure she stayed out of trouble. If he’d lied and driven away, she’d probably be off having the first and worst sex of her life by the end of the night.
“Yeah, doesn’t really work that way.”
She stared down at the few sips left in her drink. “I’m pretty sure this night is ruined for me, but maybe you should take off just in case.”
The idea of letting her hop back on that horse had his gut clenching. “Listen, I think you’re going about this totally wrong, Kristen.”
“Because there’s a right way?”
“Fall in love. Make it special.”
“Oh gee, what a novelty.” She rolled her eyes. “How often do you really think that happens for people? That their first time is when they’re in love?”
“It happens for some.”
“Well, it hasn’t happened for me, I’m guessing it didn’t happen for you, and I’m tired of waiting. Being a virgin when you don’t want to be blows.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
“Is it?” She poked him in the chest. “I remember how you looked at me when you found out.”
The memory slid through him, and he gave a small shrug of unease. “It was just a surprise because you were coming on pretty strong and confident.”
“Well, it’s a pretty common reaction, I’ve discovered.”
So, he hadn’t been her first attempt? Something soured inside him. “So don’t tell them next time.”
“I didn’t tell you until after it all went to shit, and that still didn’t work out for me.”
It would’ve worked out great if she hadn’t been half-drunk. He tried to imagine how it would have played out if they had slept together and then wound up at the same barbecue later.
A smile twitched at his lips. “If it had worked out, things would be about ten times more awkward between us right now.”
Her narrowed gaze slid to him, a mix of amusement and irritation in her eyes. “I’m not sure it can get much more awkward than you following me to a bar and telling the guy I was hitting on that I gave you chlamydia.”
“You have to admit that was creative.” He was rather proud of how easily it had done the trick.
“I’m not going to admit anything.” She crossed one leg over another, and his gaze was drawn to the flash of smooth pale thigh.
The blood in his veins surged as desire pricked hard.
Don’t think of her in that way. She is off-limits, asshole. Treat her like a second sister.
“I know you think I’m crazy to do it like this, but I had a plan. And I’m sorry, but the clock is ticking.”
If he was honest with himself, he could admit if it had been a guy planning to lose his virginity on vacation in a one-night stand, no one would be blinking. There was a huge double standard, and he was guilty of falling into it with her. Just like her brother was.
Blake clenched his jaw and tried to figure out what kind of advice to give. What he’d give to any other female friend if she were asking him.
“Maybe find a guy you hit it off with and be real with him. Just tell him you’re looking for a one-time deal and not a relationship.”
She gave him a dubious look. “And you think that would work?”
“With the right kind of guy, yeah. Hell, for some guys, it’s a straight-up fantasy.”
“Nope. That’s a myth.”
“Okay, how about this.” He caught her hand in his and met her gaze. “Let me be your wingman.”
*
Ugh.
For a minute, Kristen had thought he was changing his mind about sleeping with her. Instead, his whole pep talk had led to that?
“Excuse me?” She lifted a brow.
“Your wingman. I’ll help you pick the guy.” Blake’s sage, altruistic nod was almost comical.
“Not to be rude, but I have a wingchick.” She turned her head to glance at Tori, who had noticed Blake’s arrival and was shooting death glares his way. “She’s been doing pretty great, I think.”
Blake’s sharp burst of laughter had her frowning.
“Not if she brought you to this dive. Besides, she has school this week, right? Maybe even a job?”
Yes. But that didn’t mean much. “And you don’t?”
“I have two twenty-four-hour shifts this week, and I’m free the rest.”
Okay, she wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but it did sound like he’d have more free time.
Hmm.
No, this was stupid to even consider. She wasn’t going to make the guy she’d tried to seduce last night her wingman today. That would just be stupid.
“Kristen, listen to me.” He leaned closer, not releasing his grasp, which only made her think about how large his hand was and what it’d feel like on other parts of her.
Stop it! He’s still talking.
“We both know I’m going to be able to read these guys a lot better than you or your friend over there.” He paused, his gaze searching hers. “If you really want to do this, let me help screen them.”
“I’m not sure that’s even in the description of a wingman.”
She didn’t want his help. Not that way. It was just beyond frustrating that the man she was super attracted to and would love to go to bed with was completely off-limits.
It’s a good thing, Kristen. Remember that whole getting attached bit?
A guy like Blake made it almost inevitable. When he’d just been a hot body with a sexy face, he’d seemed perfect. But he was actually a pretty decent guy with a good sense of humor. Which just ruined it all damn it. Plus the whole friend of her brother thing.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I feel like I’m crazy to even consider it. But…” She trailed off as she spotted her brother striding across the bar toward them. “What in the—”
“Kristen.”
Seriously? Now James was here?
Blake spun around on the stool. “James? What’s up?”
“Barbecue is over.” James glanced at Kristen and shook his head. “What are you up to, kid?”
“I’m having drinks in a bar. Like grown-ups do.” She flashed him a hard smile. “And I’m not really a fan of the way you sent your friend in here to keep tabs on us, either.”
“Speaking of…” James swept a gaze around the bar. “Where is she?”
“Who?”
“Tori. The one getting you into all kinds of trouble.”
“Oh my gosh, it’s not like they’re handing out heroin needles and tequila-flavored condoms at the door, James. And let me remind you, I’m of legal age to be in a bar.”
Ignoring her sarcastic comment, he muttered, “There she is.”
“James.”
He’d already turned on his heel to make his way to Tori.
“I don’t understand what’s going on here.” This was starting to feel a little surreal. She shot Blake a look. “You swear you didn’t say anything about my plan?”
Blake lifted his hands defensively and shrugged. “I swear I didn’t say a word.”
Kristen harrumphed as she slid off the bar stool and went to follow after her brother. Her ankle rolled in the high heel, and she gasped as pain seared.
Blake was beside her in an instant, catching her elbow before she went down. “You okay?”
She winced and straightened, gingerly taking a step. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You look like Bambi trying to walk in those heels,” he grumbled under his breath, releasing her elbow but staying close. “Maybe stick to flats next time.”
“Flats don’t make me three inches taller.”
“Are the heels comfortable?”
“God, no.”
“Then don’t wear them.”
“Women wear fuck-me heels when they want to feel sexy.” She shot him a condescending look. “You ever heard of fuck-me flats?”
He blinked and scratched the back of his neck. “Uh, well—”
“I didn’t think so.” She turned her attention back to James as they approached the other pair.
“Why would you even bring her to a place like this?” James was demanding.
The guy who’d been sitting next to Tori must’ve taken off.
Tori folded her arms across her chest and met James’s hard glare calmly. “Your sister is a grown-ass woman. Maybe you should start treating her like one.”
James bristled. “What, you think I’m too overprotective?”
“Well, that’s the understatement of the century.”
“James”—Kristen caught her brother’s arm—“what has gotten into you?”
James’s attention shifted to her. “Why are you doing this? You don’t need to dress like that or go to places like this. It gives people the wrong idea.”
“Oh boy,” Tori muttered in a you’re in for it now warning.
Kristen struggled to hold on to her temper. “I know you didn’t just try and shame us for our clothing choices. And if we want to go to a dive bar, that’s our choice, too. I know you like to watch over me, but this is a little much. Even for you.”
James paused and took a literal step backward. Color stole up his neck, and he cleared his throat.
“You’re right.” He glanced away from them and at Blake briefly. “I’m not sure why I had him follow you. Or why I’m here now.”
Blake clapped him on the back. “Hey, man, your heart was in the right place, no matter how awkward the execution.”
“Can I apologize by buying you guys some drinks and an appetizer?” James offered somewhat lamely. “Maybe we could all go grab coffee somewhere and catch up.”
Kristen shook her head. “Tonight’s not exactly—”
“Tonight’s perfect.” It was Tori who answered. Her arms were folded across her chest, manicured purple nails digging into her arm as she stared down James. “I think this is a great idea.”
“You do?” Kristen and James asked the question at the same time.
How was this a great idea? Kristen bit back a groan. That meant she’d just thrown away another evening of trying to find a guy.
“Okay. Let’s do this, then.” James named a coffee place Kristen had never heard of, but the other two chimed in with agreement.
“Let’s leave my car here,” Tori suggested, “and just take two instead of three.”
“Or maybe even one?” Kristen countered. “We could all carpool.”
“Two cars.” Tori grabbed her purse from the booth and gave a hard smile. “And I’ll ride with your brother.”
Kristen tilted her head and blinked. “You’ll what now?”
“Okay.” Blake drew out the word and gave a small nod. “So, we’ll meet you there, then?”
Tori nodded to James and headed to the door. He followed. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“What the hell was that?” Kristen glanced at Blake as they headed out the door.
“Not sure, but it was weird.”
They settled into his truck a few minutes later.
Kristen watched her brother and Tori climb into his SUV. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Yeah?”
“Mm-hmm. Like she’s going to rip him a new asshole.”
Blake frowned. “Nah.”
“It’s why she wanted to drive with him.”
“All right. What are you betting?”
Her gaze swung to him. “Huh?”
“What’s on the line?” His gaze slid to her mouth.
Heat rose in her cheeks, and she stumbled over a reply, “I don’t know. I mean, I was just using a phrase. I’m not really betting.”
“Shame.” Lips twitching, he started the engine and swung the truck into traffic.
What was up with him? He was hot. He was cold.
But most of all, he was completely forbidden, and they both knew it. So, he needed to stop with that flirting stuff.
She bit back a sigh and stared out the window. Why were things so complicated? More importantly, why did she want it to be Blake so badly?
This was just about getting the V out of the way so she could get together with Paul. Right?
So why was she disappointed?