Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,27
since he ran all the way down to the office like Road Runner.”
I smiled slightly. “I know he didn’t mean it. He just blurts things out without thinking sometimes.”
“With a man that hot, he can do pretty much whatever he wants.”
Amen, to that.
“So…why did you invite him over for dinner?” She sipped her drink but gave me an accusatory look.
“I don’t know…wasn’t thinking.” That was the honest truth.
“Are you two…you know?”
“No.” We almost did but I managed to find the strength to say no.
“Really?” she asked. “Because you guys flirt like crazy.”
“There’s definitely some chemistry there but we keep it professional.”
“How?” she blurted. “He is such a fine piece of meat. I would tear into him in a heartbeat.”
“Well, I do my job. And I can’t do that.”
“Well…he seems harmless.” She took a loud sip of her drink with a meaningful look on her face.
“No.”
“Come on, we never get hot guys like that. They’re usually losers.”
“Even so, I don’t want to get us in trouble.”
“Just keep it on the down low. Come on, when was the last time you got laid?”
I glared at her.
“That’s what I thought. And he looks like he knows what he’s doing.”
“Let’s change the subject.” I couldn’t talk about this anymore. I was growing warm all over again. My thighs automatically squeezed together under the table.
“Whatever,” she said. “I would jump on that if I could.”
I looked around the bar. “Maybe I’ll find someone here.”
“That guy in the corner is cute.” She pointed to a tall blond.
“Yeah, he’s good.”
“Go for it.” She nudged me across the table.
“Ugh, I hate doing this.” It would be so much easier to call Ash and just hook up with him. At least I was comfortable with him and actually liked him, not to mention he was the hottest guy I’d ever seen.
“Just get your feet in the water and the rest will be easy.”
I adjusted the top of my dress. “How do I look?”
“Like a bombshell. Now go for it.”
***
Too many drinks later, and I wasn’t even sure what was going on. Tom leaned close to me, his lips near my ear. “I was just about to walk over to you when you walked to me. What are the odds?”
“You tell me.” I grabbed his beer and took a drink. I’d had enough for the night but I couldn’t stop myself.
“You’re looking really fine in that dress.” He leaned close to me, the scruff from his chin noticeable even in the dim lighting of the bar.
“Why, thank you.” I chuckled even though I wasn’t sure why. Tom was nice enough and he was cute. But I felt like our conversation was forced. The flirting didn’t go right and the chemistry wasn’t natural.
Not like Ash and I.
“How about we head to my place?” he asked. “I live close by.”
Now that I put myself out there and landed a guy, I realized I didn’t want it. I wasn’t a prude, but hooking up with some guy I hardly knew just wasn’t me. I didn’t need their life story but I needed something… “Tom, I really need to go. I’m just not feeling it tonight.”
Disappointment moved across his face. “Come on, baby. Don’t be like that.”
I grabbed my clutch. “I’m sorry. You really are cute.” I kissed his cheek before I walked away. Shelly left an hour earlier, so I walked out of the bar alone. I was glad I didn’t slip and fall with my heels. It wouldn’t be my first time.
When I made it to the sidewalk, I stopped and pulled out my phone. I had Ash’s number even though he didn’t have mine. My thumb inexplicably wanted to hit the send button. It had a mind of its own, and for some reason, I didn’t think it was a bad idea.
“Yo.” Ash’s deep voice came over the phone. “Ash speaking—sexiest man alive.”
“You really are the sexiest man alive.” I would never be able to say that unless I was drunk off my ass.
“I’m glad you agree,” he said with a flirty voice. “I’ve turned People Magazine down a few times. I’m just not ready to share my beauty with the world.”
I leaned against a telephone pole. “You want to share it with me?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart. But first, who is this? I don’t recognize the number.”
“You really can’t figure it out?” I made my voice sexy. I hoped it was coming off that way. In my head it was, but who knew what reality sounded like.
Ash was quiet for a moment. “Alessandra?”
“Bingo.