Sparks - Wendy Higgins Page 0,39

away.

“Please.” He pulled out the end stool and I climbed into it. He sat beside me, his back to the others. I couldn’t tell what was happening behind him, but I assumed my friends were all doing well and fending for themselves. And then I saw Willa’s head pop over one of his shoulders and the two heads of Rhea and Syd peek out from his other side, all of them cheesing hard and giving me thumbs-up. I snorted. When Ren turned around, the girls turned faster and he gave me a funny look.

“Sorry,” I said. He pushed my drink forward and I took it happily. “Thank you for this!”

I took a giant pull from the straw to calm myself and his eyebrows went up.

“You nervous?” he asked.

“No, I always chug like this.” I winked. I freaking winked. First an undies pic and now a wink. I waited for him to laugh at my ridiculousness, but I swear he let out a breath that had a low growl sound at the end. His eyes slowly perused their way down my body, landing on the boots.

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Those are doing things to me.” He adjusted his seat on the stool and pulled his jeans down at the thighs. Then he gave me a sheepish grin. My whole body warmed, and I took another drink.

“So, how’s Sparks treating you?” he asked.

I turned to face him more fully, glad to be able to wrap my hands around the glass so I didn’t move them around awkwardly. “I’ve only been on it a couple days. It’s weird, but I guess not too bad.”

“Not too bad, eh?” He gave me a sideways grin and took a big swig of the pint of beer in front of him. “Well, you look good in real life.”

“Thanks,” I said. “So do you.” I drank in his burliness with my eyes.

“You’ve got that wifey-type quality. I’m a sucker for that.”

I cocked my head. “I do? Huh. And that’s good?”

“Well, not everyone likes it. It scares some men away, but I think it’s hot.”

“So, you’re looking for a relationship?”

“Not necessarily looking, but not opposed if it feels right.” He drank and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’m always on the lookout for a woman who’s a lady in the streets, you know?”

And a freak in the sheets. Got it. I tried not to sigh.

“You know what I’m saying.” He held out his beer and I clinked my glass to his before finishing it off. “And that picture you sent. Whew. Classy and sexy at the same time.”

My cheeks heated, and I had to look away from him for a second. “That’s the first time I’ve ever taken any kind of picture and sent it to someone.”

He pulled his head back. “No way.”

“I’m serious.”

I met his eyes and his widened. “You really are. Damn. You should come back to my place and we’ll take some more.” His eyebrows waggled up and down.

“Listen,” I said, feeling like a giant fool for needing to be so honest all the damn time. “I don’t want to give the wrong impression. I’m just coming out of a long relationship, so this is all new to me. I want to have sex, but not right away.” I blushed and groaned, “I know it sounds stupid, but is it cool if we get to know each other? I’m definitely feeling you, I’m just…yeah.” Oh, shit, I was babbling, and I sounded like a pointy square.

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I get that.”

I couldn’t quite read him and wasn’t sure if I’d just screwed everything up. I felt like I needed to be straight forward, but if that’s what he was looking for I’d never hear from him again. I needed to be okay with that.

“We can hang out,” he said. “Take it slow. Do other things.” His thigh nudged mine and my skin heated at the thought of other things.

“Yeah. I’d like that.” I slid off the stool and smiled. “I’ll be right back, ‘kay?” He gave me a nod.

I caught the eye of Willa, who stood immediately and bumped Syd’s arm, who gave Rhea a gentle kick to her foot. Beth was talking to one of the friends and gave us a nod to go on without her. We headed to the bathroom.

“So?” Rhea asked as soon as we were through the doors.

I told them everything and they nodded.

“What are you feeling, though?” Syd asked. “Do you like his vibe?