Play Maker(21)

“Whiskey?” I asked James, grabbing a glass from the wall, before taking a moment to regard his friend. “And a very dirty martini for you.”

The friend’s eyebrows went up. “Cheers,” he said, his accent not as thick as James’ but just as charming.

“Told you the service here was superb,” James said, his eyes never leaving me, his words full of meaning. Meaning I tried to ignore, but the rest of me forgot to be strong and my skin tingled.

“Ethan, this is Nicole,” James made the introductions while I made the drinks. “Nicole, this is Ethan, my manager and mate.”

“Nice to meet you.” I didn’t really understand why he was introducing me to his friend and from the look on Ethan’s face, he was equally perplexed.

“Likewise.” Ethan gratefully took the drink I gave him. He took a sip. “Great martini,” he said.

“Told you she was good.” James winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

He was laying it on a little thick. I expected more from a notorious playboy like him, but then again, men were men. I was pretty sure that not many women turned him down, especially not women who he had just had sex with. If I was a betting woman, I would bet that it was more his wounded ego that brought him back to the bar, rather then some intense connection that he couldn’t fight. Then again, I was pretty good in bed. Either way, he wasn’t going to get a second chance with me. One night stands were one night. That was the rule. No repeats. No exceptions.

But damn, if he wasn’t looking pretty fricking tempting right now, those blue eyes undressing me across the bar. My knees wobbled a little bit.

“Shite,” Ethan had looked down at his watch. “I’ve got to get going,” he stood, clasping James on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow,” he said before looking up at me. “Don’t let this guy give you any trouble,” he said with a knowing grin.

James gave him an overly offended look. “Trouble? Me?”

I shook my head. “I can handle this one,” I told Ethan.

“No doubt,” Ethan confirmed before slapping a twenty down on the bar. “Damn good martini.”

Even though I knew my cocktails were great, it was still nice to have it confirmed. “Thanks,” I said and waved as he made his way out of the bar. Since it was only five thirty in the afternoon, James was now the only one left. And he was looking at me like he was ready to lock the door behind his friend, lift me up on the bar and have a repeat performance of last night.

My body was screaming yes, yes, yes, but I told myself to remain strong.

“So your manager is your best friend?” I quirked an eyebrow at him.

“My best friend is my manager,” James corrected. “We’ve known each other since we were kids.” He took a sip of his drink. “Neither of us have siblings, so we’re basically like brothers. Do you have any siblings?”

It wasn’t exactly subtle, but small talk at the bar wasn’t pillow talk.

“One brother,” I told him. “Mikey.”

“Younger?”

I nodded. “The best guy I know.”

“Funny,” James winked. “That’s what Ethan says about me.”

I laughed. “Really earning that 15%, isn’t he?”

He winced. “Ouch! I’ll have you know, I’ve been told I’m very charming by people not on my payroll.”

“Your parents don’t count,” I shot back.

James leaned back. “Bugger. Well, I’m sure I can find someone who thinks I’m a bit of alright.” He glanced around the bar. “Anyone? Anyone?”

I bit back a smile.

His eyes swung back to me. “What about you?” he asked.

“You’re…fine.” I told him, having fun playing along.

“I bet I can up that ‘fine’ to ‘fiiiiiiiine’,” he challenged.

“Oh really?” I leaned forward. “And how do you plan on doing that?”

“By giving you something you want.”

My skin went hot.

“And what do I want?” I asked, my throat going dry as I watched him reach into his pocket. And pull out a packet of gum. He slid it across the bar. Doublemint. My favorite.

“I noticed you had a bit of a gum thing the other night,” he told me.

I blushed. Was it that obvious?

“I—”

He held up a hand. “No. Never apologize for an oral fixation.”

I burst out laughing and smacked him with my bar towel.

“So,” James said, swirling the rest of his whiskey around in the glass. “Someone told me that there are some pretty good waffles to be found in this hotel.”

“I’ve heard that as well,” I said as I pocketed the gum, unable to help the way my voice seemed to warm towards him, as if I was the one drinking whiskey.

“They even claimed that these waffles are better then sex.”

“That’s what they say,” I tried to keep my hands busy, looking for glasses to clean.

“What do you say?” James wanted to know, leaning against the polished wood.

“I’ve never tried them actually,” I confessed and his eyebrows went up, a joke clearly forming on his lips. “The waffles, that is,” I added quickly. Now was not the time for sexy teasing.