Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,1

fifties or so is asking for my order. I’m not much of a drinker, but Maggie used to drink cranberry and vodka, so I go with that.

“Coming right up.” She smiles causing the laugh lines around her eyes to be more prominent. “Here you go, sweetie. You want to start a tab?” she asks, wiping down the bar.

“Yeah, keep them coming.” I tilt back the glass she just set in front of me and drain it.

She studies me. “You driving?”

“No. I have a room across the street.”

She nods, accepting my answer, and then gets to work making me another drink.

I take my time with this one. I’ve got nowhere to be.

I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been sitting here, lost in thought, waiting for the alcohol to dull the pain. I don’t know how many drinks I’ve had, having lost count of that too, but my mind is finally starting to turn off.

“Can I get another round for our table,” a deep voice says beside me.

Glancing over, I take him in. Tall, dark hair, tattoos. Not someone a good girl should be attracted to, but I am. He’s wearing a tight shirt that shows off his ribbed abs. Holy hell, he’s sexy. Turning back to my drink, I try to shake off the thought.

When he reaches back for his wallet, his elbow bumps mine. “Nothing like rubbing elbows with a beautiful woman.” He winks.

I smile shyly. “Lucky me,” I say, facing forward and going back to my drink. I can’t believe this guy is actually flirting with me. I’m sure he’s just being friendly. I’m just as surprised that I gave it right back to him. That’s not something I’ve ever done.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing here all alone?” he questions.

“Just passing through,” I reply. Again, I face forward. I’m afraid if I don’t I’ll start drooling over this guy. I’m out of my element here.

“I thought so. I would have remembered you.” He winks again. “We’ve been here a lot the last couple of months.”

“You think so?” Holy shit. I fight the urge to wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans.

“Definitely.” He takes his time running those chocolate brown eyes over my body. “Listen, why don’t you join my friends and me? No sense in drinking alone.”

Sober Melissa would decline such an offer. Buzzed Melissa doesn’t want to be alone. This guy seems interested; what harm can come from sitting with them? It will serve as another distraction, help me forget. “Sure.” I grab my drink and my purse, sliding off the stool. I stumble and the sexy stranger catches me. “Thank you . . .” I don’t even know this guy’s name.

“Ridge.” He grips my arms to steady me. “You okay . . . ?”

“Melissa.” I pull away from him. “I’ve just been sitting there for a while, sorry,” I flush with embarrassment. I’m not that drunk, so it has to be him; he has me off-kilter. I don’t know that I’ve ever talked to anyone who looks like him before. In college, I kept to myself and the guys didn’t even bother. Why go after the one you have to work for when the others are willing to give themselves away for free?

I’ve been with two guys. The first was a means to an end. A ‘get it over with’ kind of deal. Guy number two was a friend of my roommate. It was the first and only time I’ve ever been sloppy drunk. I don’t even remember it, really. Pathetic, I know, but that’s my life. The irony is not lost on me that tonight, I want to be that drunk again, if not more so. I want to forget the pain, the loss, the feeling of being alone. Lucky for me, my new friend Ridge seems like he’s willing to help me out.

“Guys, this is Melissa. I found her drinking alone, so I asked her to join us,” he says once we reach the table.

Four guys, all of equal hotness as my new friend Ridge, appraise me. I feel my face heat under their gaze. Attention is not something I’m used to. They all offer me some sort of greeting, and I stupidly wave at them in return.

“You can sit by me,” Ridge says next to my ear.

The warmth of his breath against my skin sends shivers down my spine. Awkwardly, I take the seat he pulls out for me, clasping my hands together on the table.

“All right, so we’ve got