The V- in 403C - Jess Bryant Page 0,4

two of them that Star would choose him, obviously.

“Cute guy at the bar. Two o’clock.”

Reed chuckled and leaned down, biting her ear playfully, “You’re not supposed to be scoping out guys for me when we’re on a date.”

She giggled and shoved him away, spinning him around and working her hands over his chest, “This isn’t a date. I told you after last time I caught you making out with a guy in the bathroom. We’re not dating anymore. Ever. From here on out, we’re just friends.”

“Lies.” He laughed. “You want me.”

“You think everyone wants you.” She slid a palm up and squeezed his nipple, hard, making him flinch.

“They usually do.” He grinned mischievously.

“I have a boyfriend, remember?”

“I do. Do you?” He teased as he slid one hand to her ass.

“You’ve got a better chance with the guy at the bar than with me tonight, buddy.” Star ignored his taunting and he could only laugh, knowing it was true, at least for tonight.

Reed dropped his head and then casually glanced up from beneath the fall of hair that shielded his eyes. He followed Star’s line of sight to the bar and saw a man sitting alone, surveying the crowd. He wasn’t sure exactly what he’d been expecting when Star had given him the cute guy alert but still, the guy at the bar was a shock to his senses.

Cute didn’t even begin to describe him.

He had dark hair, darker than Reed’s own, possibly even black. Also, unlike Reed’s tumble of too long strands, it was perfectly cut into a short, no-nonsense style. He was clean-shaven, not even a hint of stubble on his jaw, making him look impossibly young and unblemished. He had a dimpled chin and wide, full lips. He wore thick, black-rimmed glasses and unlike almost every other bar patron who was wearing something tight and black, his pale blue button-down and khaki colored slacks made him stand out like he was under a spotlight. He looked completely out of place in the dim bar and so fucking adorable Reed wanted to cuddle him right then and there.

“Right?” Star whisper-yelled near his ear and Reed shook his head.

“I didn’t say anything!”

“You didn’t have to.” She slid around him and winked playfully, “I know you and I know your type.”

Damn her. Reed tried not to let her see his grin. It would only make her smug as hell if he confirmed that he instantly wanted the sweet, innocent looking boy at the bar.

Hell, the guy was exactly his type. Star liked to joke that Reed got off on corrupting the innocent ones and there was at least a little bit of truth to it. After all, there was something to be said for giving a woman her first taste of pleasure or even better, a man his first experience with another guy.

It made Reed feel… powerful.

He wouldn’t deny that he craved control. With his father guiding and manipulating his every move throughout his childhood, Reed had learned to seize control in any situation where he could. He was a rule-breaker through and through but nothing gave him a thrill quite like chasing a new woman, or man as the case may be.

“He’s watching you now too.” Star hip-checked him and this time Reed couldn’t hide his smile.

She was right. The cute guy was staring at him from across the room and everything inside Reed wanted to move towards him. He wanted to talk to him. He wanted to see him up close so he could find out the color of his eyes beneath those cute glasses. He wanted to find out if those lips were as soft as they looked. But when he smiled at the man who had caught his eye, he darted his gaze away as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t and fuck if that didn’t make Reed want him even more.

“Oh, go on then.” Star all but shoved him.

“You sure?” Reed barely spared her a sideways glance as he extricated himself from her arms.

“Go.” She laughed knowingly before spinning away, falling into step with a couple to their right and fitting in seamlessly.

Reed crossed the bar, sliding through the crowd and striding confidently towards the man on the stool that was steadfastly staring into his drink now and ignoring everything and everyone around him. Reed couldn’t help but wonder if he had come here alone or if his friends had brought him here only to desert him. Either way, he’d been sitting by himself