Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(27)

“Marcus.”

“Geegee, I have a great many hot, single, fun friends. I need it narrowed down. Are we talking girlfriends of the male persuasion, or did you have something a little more naughty in mind?”

“I’m looking for straight, Marcus, and definitely not employed by this company.”

“Ooooooh, Geegee is letting her slut out. Loving it! And dare I say about time—you need to grease the wheels once in a while to make sure everything still works. I’ll be there with bells on.”

“For the love of God, Marcus, don’t wear the bells again!”

He laughed as he hung up. She wrapped up a couple things in a daze, then left a smidge early. She wanted to get changed into something slutty to coincide with her mood.

The bar they were going to was a dive with a young crowd. There were bands on Friday and Saturday nights, the drinks were cheap, and it was great fun. Krista walked in wearing a slinky blue number with four-inch heels. She had cle**age and legs for days. She looked hot and had the reckless confidence to pull it off. It was not a dress she could wear all the time, but tonight, she would rock the hell out of it.

Kate and Jasmine were at the bar. As Krista headed to them, Marcus stepped in front of her wearing a red shirt that hugged his body, and tight black slacks.

“Girl, look at you! You look fab! I have a slew of available straight men en route. I told them a drop dead gorgeous girl was looking for a hunk. Good to see I didn’t steer them wrong.”

“Marcus, please never use hunk in my presence again.”

He laughed delightedly. “So how was the meeting with the young stud?”

She made a face, getting out of the way from a waitress passing by with a tray of drinks. “He might actually be more demanding now than when he was our boss at Dexico.”

“Impossible.”

“Possible. Probable. Realistic…able.”

“Well, so far he hasn’t been able to move me into a position directly under him. Figuratively speaking, of course—otherwise under him would be just fine. Alas, I’m safe for the time being. Speaking of, he is earning a worse reputation than you have.”

It was like a person on a diet eating a bar of chocolate. She knew she shouldn’t listen, she knew it would just end up hurting more, but she couldn’t help herself.

“I didn’t think that was possible.”

Marcus put his hand lightly on Krista’s shoulder and steered her toward the bar. He did it in such a way that they were both on display. It was a move the guy probably did constantly.

“The managers are squawking with how much work he has already given them. They say he has unreal expectations. I think we can relate. But he won’t budge with the goals he sets. They’re calling him a ball buster. Well, that and a pretty boy.”

“All true.”

“The women in the company are gaga over him. A Senior VP salary in a young, hot bod? They’re sold. Half my department is trying to—“

“Marcus,” Krista held up a hand for him to stop, then used the same hand to wave at the male bartender. With the way he smiled at her, she’d get a few free drinks tonight. “I don’t want to know.”

Marcus looked at her closely. “You’re still gone on him, huh? I thought that was over.”

“Yeah. It is. His choice two-and-a-half years ago. Then again six months ago.”

“Uh oh. Bitter Betty needs a shot! Lemme get a hot straight man over here to buy it for you. Hold on.” Marcus started gesturing to someone or other as Jasmine and Kate came over, arguing about which was more potent, a double shot of whisky, or a Long Island Iced Tea.

Once they all had seats together, they commenced upending drinks into their faces.

Half a night later, Krista was buzzed and surrounded by a crowd of good looking men giving her, Kate, and Jasmine endless attention. She was having a fantastic time! There were a few people from work, but they were all cool, so Krista didn’t worry about making an ass of herself. Luckily, as Marcus promised, none of the hot men doting on her were a part of the work crew.

She was at the bar, instructing one of the hot men in what she wanted to drink, when from behind her came, “Krista.”

It was as if a tongue licked up her spine. Krista’s back went rigid. She slowly turned around, forgetting completely about her drink or the hoard of available men vying for her attention.

Sean was lounging at the bar, looking at her with a confident smirk. He was wearing blue jeans and a white, ribbed, button down shirt that showed his flawless biceps and hinted at his mouthwatering pecks.

Mentally she was furiously clicking the heels of her sparkly red shoes.

“Hi, Sean. Didn’t expect you here.”

Sean surveyed the bar, getting the lay of the land, before his eyes came to rest on hers. They didn’t waver. “I was told it would be a good time. I see you took my advice.” Krista felt heat lick her where his eyes raked over her body. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks. Yeah, thought I’d get wild tonight. I haven’t had a decent hangover in a while.”

The nameless hot man that was getting her a drink touched her shoulder. She turned to him, smiled, grabbed the drink, winked, and told him she’d see him in a minute. She was being a huge cock-tease to all of her followers. That was part of the profile.

She was sitting on her stool with her legs crossed, most of her left leg showing through the large slit in the dress. She swiveled half-way back to Sean, now facing away from the bar, surveying the scene.