Big Dick Energy - Cindi Madsen Page 0,44

twinkled in the depths of his eyes, a sure sign he was about to tease me. “Last time you made it very clear you could buy your own drinks. I even remember something about how I should take a hint already and leave you alone.”

“Those two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Tell you what. I’ll buy you a drink.

“I’m almost sure this is a set-up, but…” Archer grabbed the back of the nearby chair, scooting it closer to mine before settling into it. “Here I am anyway. Bending the knee. Guess you are Khaleesi.”

It was so deliciously nerdy that my entire body got in on the swoon. I signaled over the bartender, propped my elbow on Archer’s shoulder, and gave his pec a pat. “Go ahead and bring this guy whatever he wants.”

Archer ordered the on-tap beer, and I frowned at him. “Seriously?”

“You said I could order whatever I want,” he pointed out, “and it’s what I want tonight. I’m rusty enough without getting too buzzed before my big performance.”

“Performance?”

His shoulders shook in that way that meant he was trying to stifle his laughter, and again, I was fairly certain it was at my expense. “I signed up for a slot to go onstage. My guitar’s already backstage, all tuned and ready to go.”

I blinked and blinked at him, and then looked across the table at my best friends. “Did you guys know he played guitar?”

“You haven’t even introduced us yet, Pen. Catalina Mendes.” She stretched her arm across the table, taking the initiative, as I was far too fixated by the way Archer’s knee kept bumping mine underneath the table. “Hello, Archer. Your reputation of being a contrary pain in the ass precedes you.”

My cheeks blazed, and I placed my cool palms over them. “I never said pain in the ass.”

Archer chuckled. “Can’t say it’s not a description I haven’t heard before. I might even deserve it.” After he shook Catalina’s hand and I told him about her being partner at a law firm, I introduced him to Ellie.

“Ellie’s a web designer and runs her own company. I’ve had to call her for amazing graphics and help with code enough times that BJB often refers her to clients.”

Ellie rolled her hand and bowed her head a few inches, as though we were at a grand ball instead of a bar. “Pleased to meet you.”

A different waitress walked up to our table to deliver Archer’s beer, along with a flirty smile. “You’re singing tonight, right?”

“That’s the plan,” he said, and why did my gut tighten like that? Archer York wasn’t mine. Hadn’t ever been and could never be. Still, I casually draped my arm over his shoulders, rocking my neck from side to side as though I were merely stretching.

My phone buzzed as the waitress continued going on and on about how she couldn’t wait to hear him play.

Cat tapped my foot, making it clear she expected me to check the text she’d sent, and now.

Catalina: He’s just being polite to her, but he’s into YOU. Summon up your confidence and do something about it.

Easy for her to say. She could flip her hair or wink and have every single hotblooded male in this bar drooling over her.

Me: What’s this confidence you speak of? Besides, I can’t date him.

Catalina: Consider it practice, then. Stop being so damn quiet and letting everyone else steal attention away from you.

Catalina: OR THIS DRAGON IS GONNA RELEASE FIRE ON YOUR BEHALF.

Ellie: See. You really are the mother of dragons. Cat will roast anyone you want.

Ellie: Can I be your other dragon? I want Jon Snow to ride me.

My friends would hound me until I gave in, no question about it. I didn’t want to be a total bitch, though, so I waited for a gap in her conversation with Archer and plowed my way on through. “What song are you going to play?”

Archer turned, the full impact of his stormy gray eyes hitting me. Considering the resulting flame that flared to life had a very good chance of scorching me from the inside out, maybe letting Catalina burn the bar to the ground was the better option. “It’s one I wrote a few years ago.”

A squeal of delight came from the waitress who wouldn’t leave. “Oh my Go—”

“You wrote a song?” I spoke right on over her, impressed enough that my habit of saying sorry was nowhere to be seen or heard.

“Why do you sound so surprised? I send you eloquent emails all the time.”

My