Ava leaned toward Karly so she wouldn’t have to shout.
“Do you still see him here? Or did he leave?”
“I haven’t seen him—was caught up with you. Didn’t even see him leave the closet. Want me to go find him and see if the second time is better?”
“No!”
“I was kidding. Loosen the girdle, Mildred.”
Karly’s gaze drifted over Ava’s shoulder. Ava knew Karly had spotted a potential target by the way she pulled the front of her shirt down a bit before readjusting her low-cut jeans.
“If you’ll excuse me, my bartender has returned from his break.”
“Your boobs are about to fall out of your shirt.”
Karly winked and smiled saucily.
“Let’s hope so.”
“What about the dance?” Ava’s question ended in a whisper as Karly moved toward the end of the bar, intent upon catching the guy before any of the other desirables made their move.
She rested her head in her hand as she surveyed the area. Cole wasn’t seated at the bar, and she didn’t dare look into the club section. A group of out-of-place businessmen who looked to be in their forties stopped talking to stare her way. She quickly broke eye contact, not wanting to send the wrong message. All the women she had seen so far were heavily made up as if vying for a role. Most sexy? Ava knew she’d lose. Most beautiful? Yup, not a chance. Most fun? Ha. She’d put old Mrs. Reynolds to sleep. Most lame? Now that was a title she had a chance of securing.
Karly leaned over the bar, showing her attributes to the bartender as they flirted. How could seduction come so easily to some? Ava would never feel comfortable behaving that way. And her chest wasn’t ample enough to do the talking.
She blew a curl out of her face. Not accustomed to drinking, the alcohol seemed to be hitting Ava faster than she anticipated. Especially her bladder.
If Karly was still busy with her prey when Ava returned from the bathroom, she’d take it as a sign that she was free to go home.
For a small town, Jake’s Lounge sure attracted a crowd on a Friday night. She shoved her way through, annoyed that no one would just move politely.
She had to pass that blasted closet to get to the bathroom. The visual reminder was too much—her body started warring with her brain.
Four years had passed since she had last been with Cole. Four years. So why did her body react to him as if he had never left at all? As if he had never stomped on her heart with his steel-toed work boots?
She didn’t mean to seek him out, but there he was. Bent over the pool table, ready to take a shot. His perfect butt called out to her—would he notice if she squeezed it?
Ava mentally slapped herself.
Get to the bathroom and get out of here.
But her body had different ideas. Just a few steps. Toss him on the pool table. No one will notice. Or blame you.
She actually took a step in his direction before her head kindly interrupted. He’s a creep! A womanizer! Walk away! Listen to me. I won’t let you down again.
But he’s so ungodly hot! Her body refused to give any control to her head.
A slender arm—not hers—wrapped itself around her fantasy man’s arm. Ava glared at the sexy woman staring adoringly up at Cole. The man who had only moments ago given Ava the best kiss she had had in, well, four years.
Ava narrowed her eyes and wished one of the fluttering-eyed woman’s fake eyelashes would fall off, then shook her head to clear it of mean thoughts.
Mean thoughts were not very kindergarten-teacher-like!
Cole smiled at the woman, and even from across the room, Ava was taunted by the crater-deep dimple that taunted her like a steak dangling before a dog.
She hadn’t realized she had been staring until Cole made eye contact with her.
Ava gasped, feeling like one of her kindergartner’s getting caught dumping soap all over the bathroom floor. Embarrassment and shame made her walk faster across the bar.
Time to get out of here. While she still had a tiny bit of her pride.
A hand grasping her arm stopped her from continuing her frenzied flight from the bar.
She whipped around, ready to do battle. She wished she had pepper spray or something. Anything to keep him from hurting her.
Not physically, of course.
But wasn’t emotional pain just as bad?
“Ava—it’s so good to see you in the light.” His voice washed over her like bubbles in a Jacuzzi tub. Soothing, gentle, warm. A welcoming smile graced his face. As if they should be happy to see each other. As if he had never broken her heart.
“Sorry, I was just leaving.”
“Come on. I haven’t seen you in years. Don’t rush off.”
“You were a little preoccupied. I think she’s looking for you now, matter-of-fact.” Ava tried to pull away, but he grabbed her other arm and twisted her body toward his. Someone in the crowd bumped against her, pushing her dangerously close to his hard body.
“I don’t even know her.”
“That’s reassuring.” Ava rolled her eyes. Men.
“I wasn’t with her, if that’s what you’re thinking. She just started coming on to me. There’s only one woman here who interests me.”
Cole’s eyes drifted to her lips, and she caught herself licking them before pulling the lower portion in for a bite.
This wasn’t her game. She had no idea how to play it.
He leaned down. He was going to kiss her. He was so going to kiss her. Shouldn’t she pull away? Shouldn’t she stomp on his foot? Shouldn’t she—
What was she trying to tell herself?
All she could focus on was the dark scruff on his face and his ridiculously long lashes as his eyes drifted closed and he prepared to strike.
He pulled her body closer. Her hips wiggled to find a good landing spot, even against her better judgment.
Ah, to hell with judgment.
His lips joined hers with as much passion as she had imagined. She lost herself in him.
She heard an animal growling, or maybe it was her. She needed to break away. She needed to run away. Danger! Danger!
She kissed deeper.
Thankfully, he pulled away. She had no control over her teeth grabbing his lower lip and refusing to let go.
What the heck?
His hand cupped her cheek with too much tenderness and familiarity. He wasn’t some stranger she had picked up in the bar. He was the man she had hooked up with for an entire summer and then was left behind with barely a goodbye.
And even knowing that, she still wanted to push him against the bar, climb up on a stool, and unleash the endowment he kept hidden behind that burgeoning zipper.
“Come with me, Ava. My place is right down the street from here.”
Of course he did. And of course he came here tonight with the intention of scoring. Isn’t that what everyone was after?
Not her. Definitely not with him.
“How convenient for you,” she spat, finally able to pull away and mean it.
His puzzled expression was nearly her undoing. How dare he look confused?
She turned on her heel, pushed her way through the crowd, and stormed out the door, not even caring that she didn’t tell Karly she was leaving.
More From Amanda Torrey
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Books by Amanda Torrey
Teen Fury Trilogy (Young Adult Paranormal)
Unleashed (Book One)
Embrace
d (Book Two)
Atoned (Book Three)
Teen Fury Trilogy: The Complete Collection (Boxed Set)
Healing Springs Series (Adult Contemporary Romance)
*Books in this series can be read in any order*
Not Over You
Stay
A Heart To Call Home (Coming Soon!)
Also by Amanda Torrey
The Immortal Contract (Adult Paranormal Romance)
Not Over You (Healing Springs, Book 1) Page 18
