Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (Silence #3)(43)

Amy’s mouth hit the table. I didn’t do one-night stands, and she knew that. I was Holly the shy, good girl.

“Wow,” she breathed. “What was he like?”

“Are we really discussing that?”

“Absolutely! He’s good in bed?”

I was sure I blushed again.

“Yes,” I replied. “Not that it’s surprising, he’s had enough practice.”

“Ah, a player?”

“Yep. He was when Brad was first hanging out with him, but then he got married.”

Her mouth dropped again.

“You’re sleeping with a married man?” she squeaked.

“No! Of course I’m not. She cheated, and they broke up.”

“When?”

“Um.” I bit my tongue. “Almost two months ago.”

“Christ, Holly!”

“I know! I don’t particularly feel good about it. He’s single though, so it’s not bad, right? I’m not doing anything wrong, am I?”

“They’re definitely separated?”

I nodded. “He’s filing for divorce.”

“Then you’re not doing anything wrong. She cheated on him anyway, what he does now is none of the ex’s business.”

“Yeah, I just feel bad.”

“Of course you do. You’re too nice, sweetie. Don’t feel bad for having a little fun with a single guy.”

She had a point. I couldn’t help worrying what people would think of me. My family probably still thought I was a virgin, and although I’d had about as much sex with Jasper as I had with my ex and Harry, I didn’t want anyone to think I was ‘easy’.

“Thanks, Ames, you always did manage to put things into perspective.”

“I have to say, in the seven years I’ve known you, you’ve never managed to surprise me until now.”

“Yeah, well, you ready for one more?”

Her eyes widened. “I’m not sure if I can take it!”

“I think I’m falling for him.”

“Oh no. Babe, don’t do that. Bad, bad idea. The guy has just broken up from his wife and is about to go through a divorce. This is the worst time to fall for him. Right now he’ll just be wanting to screw the pain away.”

I winced. Thinking about Jasper with another woman left a nasty taste in my mouth. My stomach burned with jealousy. I knew it happened, but I didn’t ever want to think about it.

“Yep, I know all that, and I agree. Falling for him is probably the worst idea I’ve ever had, but I don’t get a choice. I’d love to stop it, but I can’t. There’s something about him. At first he was just nice and funny, we got along, and there was nothing more to it.” I shrugged. “Well I was attracted to him, but I’m not blind! Anyway, the more time we spent to together, especially at work-”

“Wait, work?”

“Yeah, his sister owns The Centre, and he co-runs it.”

“Oakley Farrell’s brother?” she asked.

“Oakley Benson,” I corrected. “But yeah, her brother, Jasper.”

“Whoa. Okay, go on.”

“We spent more time together, and he was great when Harry broke up with me, and I told him we’d never get back together. Underneath the lad exterior, he is a really nice, caring, loyal guy.” I banged my head on the table. “I’m doomed, right?”

Amy flopped back against the booth. “Yeah, I think you are.”

“I’m not going to act on my feelings.”

“So next time he comes to you you’re not opening Hotel Holly and letting him get funky inside you.”

I blinked. “What?”

She shook her head.

“My brother and his immature teen mates have been hanging around the house. It would seem their interesting vocabulary is rubbing off on me.”

“Right. Well I’d love to be able to do that. Actually I wouldn’t. I love that he gets to me the way he does. I’ve never had that before.”

“Oh God, Holly.”

“I know,” I whined. “Why can’t I say no to him?”

“Because you’re in lurve!”

I glared.

“Not helping.” Was I in love already? “Anyway, tell me what’s new with you. Take my mind of Jasper.”





Chapter Eighteen


Jasper




I pulled my zip up and waved to Courtney or Connie or Cally as I walked out of the stall.

“You’re not even going to buy me a drink?” she said.

Oh no, she’s a post casual sex drinker. No one wanted to go do anything with someone after they’d just had no strings, one-time-only sex. There were rules about this type of thing that she wasn’t following.

“Look…” I trailed off, wincing as she raised her eyebrow.

“Emma!”

“Emma,” I repeated. “Shit, I was way off.”

And judging by the look on her face her sense of humour was seriously lacking. Can’t think why! Holding my hands up, I took a step closer to her. Now I was obligated to buy her a drink because even if one-time-only sex meant you could leave and that be it, it was still common courtesy not to forget their name to the person’s face.