Unexpected Gift(35)
“I don’t even know what she is mad about. It was just dancing.”
Kenna huffs and salutes the bartender as he sets down a few shots of tequila. “Just dancing. How many times are you going to tell yourself that? Deja vu,” she mutters before taking shot after shot.
“What do you mean? It was just like you and that guy were dancing out there. I mean, yeah, we probably wouldn’t have danced if we knew who we were dancing with, but still.”
She wipes her mouth, folds her arms on the counter, and stares at me with a look that says I’m a complete idiot. “That is what I mean. Why wouldn’t you guys dance together? Listen, I don’t know what you guys have going on, but everyone has been watching it build for years. You guys act like you don’t like each other, to cover the fact that you are attracted to each other. Brandon saw it. I see it. Everyone sees it but the two of you.”
“It wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“So, you don’t deny it?” she asks.
I sigh. “No, I don’t deny it. But we wouldn’t be good for each other.”
“No, you guys make it seem like you wouldn’t be good for each other, but if you actually tried to be something other than enemies…I don’t know; maybe you guys would see what everyone else has been seeing.” She throws a handful of twenties down on the bar to cover the tab and jumps off the high stool, slamming her boots on the floor. “I’m going to look out for my girl. I know what kind of man you are. Molly deserves better than that. If you can’t give her that, stay away from her, or I’ll run you over with my Harley. Are we clear?” she sneers in my ear.
I’ve never met a woman who was able to put the fear of god in me, but I won’t ever test Kenna. She has dangerous ties in the real world. She has the ability for me to never be found again. “We are clear, Kenna. I just plan on holding up my end of the bargain, okay?”
“Damn, too bad you’re prettier than you are smart.” She slaps my shoulder and writes a number down on a napkin and whistles, making the bartender turn around and come closer. “Here is Molly’s number. The blonde that just left. She is single.” She says the last word as she glares at me.
The man smiles and shoves the napkin in his pocket.
“Game on, am I right?” Kenna tilts her lips in a crooked smile before turning around and walking away.
I watch her strut out the door, pause, and light a smoke. A blur of blonde comes to her side and puts her head on Kenna’s shoulder. In a blink of an eye, they are gone, and I’m left with shirtless bartender guy. Where is Charles when I need him most?
My phone buzzes. It’s Charles saying he got called to the hospital for an emergency surgery.
Damn it. Just what the hell am I going to do? I run my hands through my hair and stare down the aisle of the bar, seeing a pretty brunette staring me down. She has big breasts—fake ones probably—and the old me would have been all about schmoozing her up and taking her home.
I break eye contact before she can make anything of it. Thinking of another woman didn’t sit well with me. My cock twitches to feel Molly’s body against mine again. The smell of oranges clings to my shirt, invading my lungs. It is almost as if she is still here against me, driving my body insane with need.
“You like her?” the guy behind the bar asks, sitting a scotch down in front of me.
“I don’t know. She drives me mad more than half the time.” I swallow the amber liquid in one smooth gulp.
“Can I share some advice?”
“I don’t know if I want advice from someone who is looking to have sex with her,” I say bluntly.
He lets out a small chuckle and pours me another glass. “I’ve bartended along time. I know when people are denying their feelings. I serve people like that every night.”
“So.”
“So, there are two outcomes with this situation.” He shrugs his shoulders and nods at someone who takes Molly’s seat. “I’ll be with you in just one second.” He flashes a grin.
I stand and toss some money down to cover my drinks, lifting a brow at him and telling him to get on with it.
“One, you guys just be together and stop all the bullshit. Or two, she finds someone else to be with that actually wants to be with her. Maybe someone like me. We would go out, laugh, and have sex, and the sex would be fucking awesome.”
“Stop talking,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Why? You don’t care right?”
I straighten my spine, towering over the guy, and place my hands on the counter. I inch forward and speak low so no one else can hear me. “Let me tell you something. Don’t act like you know anything about our situation. I won’t let you talk about her like that. She is my best friend’s sister, and if that doesn’t complicate things enough… not that you deserve an answer or anything. But let me make one thing very clear. You will not talk to you, ever. Do you understand? She deserves someone who won’t ever talk about her like that. She isn’t someone’s past time. She isn’t someone that can only make you feel good for one night. And if I hear about you doing that to her, I will fucking ruin you. Do you get that?”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, letting his fear break through his tough boy fa?ade. “Yeah, I got it.”
“Thought so.” I push myself from the bar and gave him a friendly smile. “Now, you have a good night.” I stride out of the club with a new purpose. Tomorrow starts a new era, but when it comes to an end, will I be alone? Or will Molly be there with me?