I pushed Tucker away with one hand, ignoring the slackened jaw and what-the-fuck-just-happened expression in his eyes, and resumed my walk toward the pre-wedding party now filling the dance floor. When I touched him, his shallow breaths and pounding heartbeat vibrated under my open palm. I chose to disregard it. Because the zing traveling through me and the warmth pooling down my belly meant nothing. Instead, I focused on my steps. The ones taking me away from the temptation dressed like some Adonis. The more space I put between us, the more the thoughts of my encounter with him faded, making me relish the boozy bliss my head was swimming in. Even if my life depended on it right now, I wouldn't have been able to walk a straight line. But hey, who cared, right? I felt happy. And relaxed.
Alone in a chair, sipping a clear cocktail that I knew to be water—because Carter Hills didn't drink anything else since his brother died—my favorite country singer watched our friends dancing and laughing, a somber look pasted on his face. Back then, when his brother passed away, he chose to clean up his act and be there for Dahlia and Jack.
"You're not joining them?" he asked, pointing to the dance floor with his chin.
"I'm a litttttle bit"—I squinted and pressed my thumb and forefinger together—"drunk. That wine was deliciooous.”
Carter straightened his back and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his stare intense and scrutinizing my face. "Why are you so sad, Addi?"
I flicked my wrist as if it was nothing. Inside, an earthquake shook my foundations. Up to now, I'd been doing a great job, or so I believed, at keeping my feelings bottled up. But something in the way Carter looked at me threatened to fracture my facade. "C'mon, girl. We've known each other for a long time. I can read you, you know? And right now, you're hurting."
"It's nothing," I said, averting my gaze. I used my fingertip to wipe the moisture building in the corners of my eyes.
"If you say so, but that sadness in your eyes is kind of a giveaway. All night, you've been acting like everything is good, but I know better." He shrugged. "If you want to talk, I'm here. How's Phen? I haven't heard from him in ages."
Phoenix was my twin brother and one of Carter's closest friends growing up. He moved to England to attend college, got married, and never came back home.
"Still on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Has twins of his own now."
Carter's eyes flared. "Wow, he didn't lose time to settle down. I'm glad he's doing okay."
"I miss him, you know. We used to do everything together. Now I'm lost without the one guy who never played me." Hot tears prickled the back of my eyes, and I blinked them away. The conversation had somehow sobered me up. "How are you holding up? I know it must be hard for you to be here tonight. This whole month and a half will be."
Carter scratched his forehead. "I love her so damn much, Addi, but I'm learning to let go of her. Getting better at it," he said, staring in Dahlia's direction as Nick spun her around on the dance floor, both so fucking blissfully happy it was sickening. "She always chooses the other guy. It's fucked up. I can't do this anymore. My love is always one-sided. Nick is fine. I'm not upset with him. He makes her happy. Jack loves him too. I'm mad at myself for not being enough. For not being what she wants...or needs. And for not having been able to get over her sooner like she asked. I hope she doesn't get married a third time. I'm not sure I'll survive watching the girl I've forever been in love with get hitched another time. Two is more than enough for this lifetime."
I pulled my chair forward and hugged Carter.
The guy had the biggest heart on Earth. Both times Dahlia fell in love, I'd witnessed his heart getting crushed.
"It would have been easier if you'd agreed to date me in high school. We'd have had each other to be miserable with," I added in a teasing tone. "Or maybe we'd have been happily married by now. Who knew what would have happened if you hadn't pushed me away when I kissed you—" I wiggled my brows, and Carter snickered.
"I'm sorry, Addi. I never apologized, but I acted like a jerk that time. You took me by surprise, and I panicked. I should have been flattered and not run away and given you the silent treatment afterward like I did."
I rested my head against his muscular shoulder. "It's okay. We weren't meant to be. We'll be fine. Both of us. We just need time to heal. Or find whatever we're looking for."
"You think so?"
"I know so. One day.”
"What's eating you up? Right now, what are you thinking about?" he asked.
I shrugged, doing my best to come up with words that would make some sense. "In a way, I guess it feels like my life isn't the way I'd imagined it'd be." Carter said nothing. Perhaps what I said resonated with him too, so I continued. "I have dreams and expectations. For myself. But I have no idea how to make them happen. When I try too hard, when I push ahead, it always backfires instead of going the way I expect it to."
Carter spoke in a low voice, "Then don't. Don't push it. Be yourself. Let them come to ya, Addi. You've always been the happy-bubbly person we all aspire to be. Things will work out. When they are meant to. You just gotta be patient."
I snorted. "Can I serve you the same advice?"
He shook his head, his protracted silence speaking volumes.
Feeling a tad better, I rose to my feet and held out my hand. "Wanna dance? For old times' sake. And for what could have been."
"Addison Wilde, you know I don't dance."
"I'm sure you can make an exception for me, Country Boy. The last time when Dahlia got married, you were a drunken mess. For the rest of this night, let's stick with each other."
Carter nodded and knitted his fingers through mine. "One dance. I can't believe you're making me do this," he said, shaking his head. "Only you, girl."
"Oh Cart, I'm full of surprises. Never underestimate me. You should be aware of it by now."
"That sounds more like the Addison I know. Welcome back."
He wrapped his strong arms around me, and I felt so delicate in his embrace, Carter towering over me by almost a foot. "Thank you for being my friend," I said as I sank into his chest and forgot about the things I had no control over.
"I'm calling it a night," Dahlia said as she hugged me hours later.
"Already?" I asked. "Is it even midnight yet? The night is still young."
"Almost. If I stay out too late two nights in a row, my face will be all puffy. I'm not used to partying this much. You should get some sleep soon. We're having a full day tomorrow. I've planned some great stuff for us."
I shrugged. "Don't worry about me. I'll head to that bar we like for an hour or two. Blow out some steam. You've always been too level-headed, girlfriend."
"By yourself? You sure?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I still have friends in town. I might give them a call. Or I'll make new ones. Don't worry about me. Now go and make love to your man while you're still a free woman."
I winked as Dahlia's smile stretched.
"Addi, you'll find your man too. He's somewhere out there. Don't be a pessimist. You'll get your happy ending. I promise."
I brushed her hair with my hand. "I love how you have faith in me, Dah. But did you forget I'm not into men anymore?"
She let out a loud laugh. "My bad. For a second, I forgot."
"You'll see. I'll impress you. My next lover will be worthy of my love. I won't offer my heart to anyone not reaching the highest standards anymore. The next one will be marriage material. No, correct that. The next ones, with an s, will be rebounds. Hot and sexy. Tempting and forbidden. Then I'll find the one."
Dahlia hugged me again. "You deserve the best. I'm glad you got your smile back. Even if it's just for tonight. Even if it's slightly pretend. I love ya. Don't get into trouble. And if you do, call me. Night."
She kissed my cheek and joined Nick, who was standing near the elevator, his palm outstretched, waiting for her to slide hers in it. That. The simple gesture. This defined true love.
Not ready to let the thought bother me, I yelled at everybody and nobody, "I'm hitting the bars. Those who want to extend the fun, follow me." I downed the wine in my hand. And another one, just because I felt like it, and headed for the exit.
Before the elevator doors closed, a large hand glided between them. When they opened again, Tucker entered the car, looking fierce. The flutters in my stomach returned. Fast. And invasive. No one said I couldn't enjoy a great sight when presented with one.
Taking his place beside me, he stole all the vital air in the car, and I sucked in a jagged breath in response. His proximity made me feel lightheaded. Or was it the huge amount of alcohol I had drunk all night?
"Where are we going? I don't know the city, and I need a guide. I think you might be up for the job. Anyway, I'm pretty sure it's in my best man's job description to look out for the maid of honor."
Oh, he wanted me to play tour guide. Nothing else.
I could deal with it. This would keep me and my weak heart safe.
The low baritone of his voice as he let out a deep laugh shook my core.
Girl, get a grip on yourself. Yes, in my intoxicated state, my willpower had no solid ground.
If I couldn't find a sure way to stay away, this night would end badly. I could already tell.
All my radars were attuned to the man standing feet away from me. About six-foot-two, built like an athlete, with broad shoulders and a lean waist. His dark skin gave the impression he'd been molded in the most exquisite chocolate, with even darker, enigmatic irises and a smile showing perfectly aligned white teeth.
Tucker was everything I had a weakness for.
Smart. With a touch of sarcasm.
Even if I denied it, no way would I ever be indifferent to how he made me feel. Not me. Scratch that. My body. To how he made my body feel.
I got drunk on his cologne. The scent of a sea breeze enveloping me.
I clenched my thighs, refusing to let my imagination run wild.
I was over men. Over. Men. T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
I had to come up with an exit plan. An excuse to remove myself from his gravitational pull. My drunken brain made it almost impossible for me to map out an evacuation plan.
"You're not chaperoning me all night," I warned him with a finger. "I'm on a mission. To get laid."
Tucker moved his jaw back and forth and arched one eyebrow. Its sharpness alone could tear my new resolution to shreds.
"And I can't help you with that because? Other than the fact I promised your best friend I wouldn't seduce you."
"Wait. What? You did what?"
He shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It's no big deal. Dahlia might have threatened my life if I fucked with you."
"Ohmygod. She's the best." I snickered. "I love her so much right now. Anyway, she's not my mother, and I'm free to do whatever I want. But to... Sorry, my head is all over the place right now. Too much wine—what was I saying?"
"That I wasn't on the list of potential fucks tonight, and I was asking you why.”
"Ahh, yeah. That. I remember now. Well, first, you're Nick's friend. That would be weird, right? Second, you're—you." I drew circles in the air inches from his face.
"Me? What's wrong with me? What does that even mean? The last time I looked, it wasn't such a bad thing."
"God, do you need me to spell it out for ya? 'Cause I will. You're a man, Tuck. T-R-O-U-B-L-E. You lose all your points right there. I'm over your species. I already told ya. Not that I don't appreciate your gender. In fact, I do. A little too much. Like a pricey wine. In both cases, they come with promises of a great night but with the risk of a major hangover the next day. Tonight, I'm looking for a woman. Someone sweet who can think with her brain and not her dick, for a change. Someone who knows how to use her tongue expertly. And her fingers. You can't compete with that."
"Oh, sure. Right. Got it. You think women make better lovers." He rubbed the skin of his nape. "See, I agree."
"Your mother taught you right," I said.
He flinched at that. His face hardened. "Keep my mother out of it."
"Don't get all worked up, big guy. I was just complimenting how she raised you." I paused. The grimace on his face unsettled me. What did I say that put him on edge? With a hand, I stroked his forearm.
Tucker relaxed under my touch. The hard lines around his eyes receded.
He blinked, and a devious grin spread on his face, his harsh reaction to my compliment forgotten. Or pushed aside for now.
"If I understood you right, tonight, we're both playing the same field?”
I nodded, pride filling me.
"I'm willing to prove to you I'm much more qualified than you to entertain the ladies."
"In that case, let's make things interesting," I said. "Let's see who brings someone to their hotel room first. What do you say? Deal?"
Tucker seemed to ponder the idea in his head. "Oh, so you're not only a tease, but also a player."
I mustered up the widest smirk my lips could stretch into. "Tell me, Tuck. What will I get once I win this challenge? The stakes have to be high. To keep them entertaining."
He stared at me, his gaze so dark that my feet melted into the floor as he pinned me to the spot. "A weekend in Vegas, all expenses paid. If I win, you pay. If you win, which I'm pretty sure will never happen, then the bill is on me."
I extended my arm. Now I'd found someone to play with. "Deal. A three-day stay with a view of the Strip. Not some shitty motel in a clandestine corner of the city. The real thing. Classy and unforgettable."
"Good luck," he said with a wink. But under his confidence swam something I couldn't define. It must've been my imagination. Or the alcohol I'd drunk. Everything about Tucker screamed cocksureness and nights of limitless pleasure.
In Dahlia's and my favorite bar, we parked our asses for the night. It was one of my preferred nightlife spots in the city. I'd been living in Atlanta for the last few years, but every time I was around to visit my parents, I ended up here. Dahlia knew the owner; they'd toured together. So, he usually set us up with VIP rooms and the best champagne. Not tonight, though. Tonight, I was on the prowl. To forget all about my last relationship. And men in general. No special treatment needed.
Tucker ordered shots, and we each chugged three as we hung by the bar.
"If we fraternize, we'll look like a couple. No one will make a move on us," I said, wiping my lips with the back of my hand.
"Sweetheart, I can melt panties from yards away. See how it's done and pick up a trick or two. That's why I'll win this little beginner's challenge tonight. Hands down."
"Tuck, I can play dirty. You've never seen me in action. Get ready to have your mind blown."
I tsk-tsked and walked away, swaying my hips, knowing the effect it would have on him. And because I could. "I'll win," I whispered to myself as I watched him over my shoulder, his jaw slack and his eyes glued to my backside.
In a corner, I spotted a group of women, all wearing short dresses, showing off their legs and too much cleavage, looking drunk and ready to party.
"Hey ladies," I greeted, sliding between them. "I'll come straight to the point. I'm looking for a girl to rock my night. You see that guy over there? The one with the dress shirt?" They all eyed Tuck, giggling like schoolgirls. "Well, we've made a bet, and he thinks I won't go through with it. If he nears you tonight, please ignore him. He's cocky as hell. If one of you wants to make out, just say the word. I'm your woman. He thinks I'm bluffing, and he's wrong."
A girl with long black hair, ruby lips, and a sleeve tattoo inched closer. She looked like a model in her tiny leather skirt and high heels, her infinite legs tanned and skinny.
"Honey, you wanna give him something to talk about?"
I nodded. Nervous excitement coursed through me as she gave me a slow once-over, observing me through her thick, curled lashes. She cupped my cheeks, and without breaking eye contact, dipped her tongue into my mouth, moaning as she did. After a few seconds, I relaxed and lost myself in one of the most sensual kisses I'd had in a long time.
Everything inside me soared.
I was breathless and longed for more.
The girl, whose name I ignored, kneaded one of my breasts, and I dissolved into her touch.
When we broke apart, I was panting, lacking viable oxygen to my brain.
Yeah, I had forgotten how amazing being kissed by a woman was.
My cheeks warmed up. I cocked my head and noticed Tucker watching us, his mouth agape. My gaze traveled down to the bulge in his pants.
Our little bet got even more interesting.
Now he didn't stand a chance. At this rate, I'd get him so hot and bothered that he'd forfeit, and I'd win.
"Shots?" I asked my new group of friends. They all cheered, and I signaled the bartender to take our order.
The pounding on the door brought me out of my slumber. I tried to open my eyes but couldn't. My head hurt. No, my brain hurt. The pain was anchored deep inside my pulsing skull. I darted my tongue out to moisten my lips, but it was so pasty it made my stomach churn. My body felt heavy as if someone had wedged me in fresh concrete. Where was I? I patted the bed around me, but it was hard. Was I sleeping on the floor? Acid filled my mouth. This was bad. I had no memory of the previous night. The last thing I remembered was yelling at Tucker because he flirted with the girl I had been working hard to bring back to the hotel. She said we were bantering like children and we should get our shit together and left us.
Tucker?
Where was he?
Did we even make it back to the hotel? My entire body hurt, something beneath me too hard. My face felt as if it had been scraped with sandpaper. A buzzing sound reverberated against the walls of my skull.
The banging on the door resumed. Someone—a man—was angry. My brain was too numb to understand a word. Or to make out whose voice it was. But by his tone, I could tell he was pissed.
Sensations returned to my hands, my arms. Slowly, it made its way down to my toes.
Something happened last night. The flesh of my inner thighs was tender. I wriggled a hand down my front. No panties. Okay, I was butt naked. I could deal with that. I moved my hand back up and slid it between my breasts and the hard surface to cup it. I had no clothes on.
What did I get myself into this time? I begged my brain to give me a clue. Nothing. Zip. Blank state.
With a push of my hand, I lifted my upper body and opened my eyes. The room was trashed. Junk food wrappers and sample alcohol bottles scattered everywhere. I was sleeping on my front on the carpet of the hotel room. Not my best moment. How could my amazing night have turned into this? I missed the comfort of a fluffy mattress.
The banging on the door intensified. Oh yeah, that guy was upset.
"Come on, open up. We'll be late. You were supposed to meet me an hour ago.”
Oh God, did I make some woman cheat on her husband? This was a nightmare. How would I get out of this one? Of all the people I chose to fuck last night, I had to pick a married one. And I didn't miss the irony of it.
I let out a shaky breath and closed my eyes, trying to stop my head from spinning and my stomach from churning.
A warm hand slapped my ass cheek, and I gasped.
"Hey sweetheart, you awake?"
The blood froze in my veins.
This was bad. So bad. Kill me now.
What did I do last night?