Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(11)

“Yeah. We’re rednecks. We don’t need a glass to do shots. Take as much as you can and pass it over. When the bottle is gone we’ve had our limit.”

“I can’t drink that much. A few beers and I’m shitfaced. I’ve never had whiskey.”

I’m amused by this, because I know exactly what will happen after a few guzzles. “You sure you’re up for this? Before you know it we’ll be waking up naked.”

She smirks, as if to doubt it’s capability of making her do things she normally wouldn’t. “Yeah right.”

“Okay.” I toss up my hands. “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. I’ve had my fair share of next day regrets from tearing into a bottle like this one.”

“You can’t scare me. I know when to stop.”

“Then have at it.”

She takes one sip and I watch her face curl. Tamsyn gags, but manages to keep the burning liquor down. “Oh my god, that’s terrible.”

“Nah, it takes a while to get used to.” I grab the bottle and take the level of the alcohol down a few inches before handing it back to her. “We still going?”

She jerks it away and takes a bigger drink of it, having less affect as she swallows. I do another extra large shot, knowing I’m good as long as we stop soon. I don’t want to get to where I can’t stop myself. I’d never want to get out of control.

Tamsyn carries the bottle over to the couch across from me. She crosses her legs and sips at the whiskey again. “What do you look for in a woman?”

Her question is out of nowhere, but I oblige with an answer. “I like strong women. I prefer ones that aren’t easy, because I enjoy the challenge.”

“Blondes or brunettes?”

“Either.”

“What about boobs? Big or small?”

“I enjoy a hand full, but it doesn’t matter either way.”

She adjusts the way she’s sitting, and actually looks down at her own chest like she’s measuring her cup size. I chuckle to myself and decide to start asking my own questions. “What about you? What do you look for in a man?”

“I haven’t been looking in a long time. I don’t know. I want him to have a job, or at least know what he wants to do and be working toward it. I like to be pampered, but not spoiled. I don’t want my man to feel like I depend on him. He has to be tall. I’d prefer him to be handsome, but if he has a great personality I could possibly date someone just average looking.”

“Hair color?” I ask.

“Dark, I guess.”

“Eyes.”

Tamsyn giggles. She’s starting to get a buzz already. This is going to be fun. “Green,” she teases.

“I see where this is going.”

“Oh really,” she expresses. “Where?”

“Someplace you’ve said we weren’t going to go.”

“Don’t be so sure, cowboy. I’m a hard one to crack.”

“Maybe you should slow down on the booze,” I say as I reach for it. She moves it away and takes a bigger shot. I watch air bubbles take the place of where the bourbon once was. “When you start stripping, don’t blame me.”

Tamsyn stands and approaches me. She brings her hand up to touch my jawline and I fasten my hand over her wrist to halt her. “The moment I saw you in those heels I imagined bending you over and having my way. Don’t test me. I’m struggling to keep my hands to myself. I haven’t seen someone as sexy as you in a long damn time, but I can’t f*ck you tonight, not when you’re intoxicated.”

She’s almost sad. “Really?”

I lift her chin with my free hand. “Woman, don’t think for a second it’s not going to happen. You have my attention.” I point to my hard cock, trying to burst from beneath my jeans. “It’s just, I’m used to being selfish, and sometimes an *, but you deserve better. I won’t take advantage of your vulnerability.”

“For someone who says he doesn’t want a girlfriend, you sure are working hard to impress me.”

“I’m being realistic.”

She frees her hand and runs it over my mouth, causing my lips to part. Upon sitting, she kisses me with her eyes staring into mine. “What if I change my mind? What if I want to use you?”

I grab her hands and put them in her lap. “It’s getting late.”

“So now you want to take me home? Is this how you work? You get me going and then give me the cold shoulder?”

“The only thing cold I want, is a f*cking shower. You don’t know how hard it is to deny myself the delight of taking what I want from you.”

She begins unbuttoning her blouse, and the second I see the lace fabric of her bra I start rethinking my decision. She knows she has my attention now. “I changed my mind, Josh. I think a one-night stand is exactly what I need to feel better. If Shaun can screw around on me, then I deserve to have a little fun too, right?”

She has a point.

I stop her again, but indulge in the smoothness of the skin between her supple breasts as I speak. “You’re talking out of your ass and you know it. It’s the liquor.”

She shakes her head. “No. You’re right. I want you. I’d be a fool to pass up this opportunity. You’re the sexiest piece of Carolina ass I’ve ever set eyes on. We’re both adults, right? Would it be so wrong to let it happen? Two people with a strong attraction? This could be your only chance with me.”