me. I’ve never been self-conscious about my looks, but I haven’t been with a man since Collin. It’s been over two months and it feels as if my girly bits have dried up. The thought of another guy doing to me what Collin did … well, it’s enough to make me want to swallow nails.
But then I remember that I’m trying to get over Collin and maybe having drunk sex with a random stranger is a step in the right direction.
Macy certainly seems to think so.
She pulls me toward the bar and has no qualms about sliding right up to one of the locals. Devon’s around six-three, with a broad nose, dark hair, and a square jaw.
Macy smiles sweetly at him and gives him a cute pout.
Devon grins crookedly. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”
Macy pulls me to her side before replying. “Nope, just visiting my friend here for the weekend. She recently moved to Crescent Crossing, and since we’re besties, I plan to come back regularly.”
He seems to catch her meaning since his eyelids grow hooded. Two of the guys standing around him, Joel and another guy I haven’t met, all step closer.
“Would you ladies like a drink?” Joel glances my way as Macy runs a finger up Devon’s chest.
Macy is nothing if not bold, and I can tell that she’s ensnared Devon’s attention. My friend is dwarfed by every man here, but even though she carries an extra twenty pounds on her small frame, she carries it in all the right places.
Devon’s gaze continually dips to her full breasts and round hips while Joel and the other guy drift my way.
“It’s Brianna, right?” the guy by Joel says. He has strawberry blond hair and five o’clock shadow. He’s at least six-four with block slabs for pecs and a sexy smile.
“That’s right. Have we met?” I plant a hand on my waist and cock my hip.
His eyes drop for the merest second before he forces them up. The glitzy top Macy made me wear is low cut, and my cleavage is on full display. “No, but I’ve been wanting to meet you. Name’s Tanner.”
The bar’s door opens behind Tanner, and a rush of cold air enters. A chill runs over me, but that’s nothing compared to the ice that settles in my stomach when I see who the newcomer is.
Collin steps inside the bar before closing the door after him. A frightening-looking scowl covers his face. His gaze immediately finds mine, and when he sees me surrounded by a group of wolves, his jaw clenches so hard I swear his teeth crack.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Macy hisses. She jabs me in the side. “That fucker is not ruining our night.” She thrusts a shot in my hand. “Bottoms up, girl.”
I throw back the shot, wincing when it burns the back of my throat, but I need alcohol now. “Good God what was that?” I grimace when I set the empty shot glass back on the bar.
Tanner laughs. “That was whiskey. Want another?”
He inches toward me. His hand brushes my arm, then his chest presses against my side when he leans closer to the bar to grab another round of drinks.
A swell of power barrels off Collin, but I try to ignore it when it hits me. It’s hard, though. The urge to cower grows so strong I can barely resist it. The other wolves notice it, too, given their abrupt tenseness, but I imagine magical pulses from the men in this town are par for the course because they all ignore my ex.
I eye Collin again. He’s stalked to the end of the bar and has planted himself on a stool. Rage shines in his eyes, and his hands are fisted. He’s still staring at me and looking as if he wants to murder Tanner, Joel, Devon, and every other male within three feet of me.
I take one look at my enraged ex and turn a desperate smile up at Tanner. “Yes, please.”
∞ ∞ ∞
I’m more than tipsy by the time someone puts money in the old-fashioned jukebox. Music blasts from the speakers, and Macy grabs Devon’s hand before pulling him toward the dance floor. A few of the other couples join in, and I can’t help but wonder if this is the liveliest night the local bar has seen in a while.
Whatever the case, I’m enjoying myself. Or trying to.
At least an hour has passed since Collin entered the bar. His brother, Pete, is