A Love for Romance

by Kahlen Aymes

  “Let’s do this.” I nod to Kelly. She loops her arm with mine, and we leave our room. It’s a warm, humid night, which seems to be the norm here this time of year. The bass music pounds as we walk up to the bar next to the pool. Around us, drunken college kids are laughing, dancing, and having fun.

  Kelly looks down to our linked arms and pulls hers away. “I want to get lucky tonight. I don’t want people thinking we’re together.”

  It takes me a moment to register what she means. When I do, I nod my head slowly in understanding. I don’t know that I’m interested in some fling with a drunken college student. I’m definitely not a virgin. I lost my virginity to my boyfriend, Jamie, my last year of high school. We stayed in touch for a little while when I left for Princeton and he left for Washington State, but a long-distance relationship at our age wasn’t in the cards. I haven’t been with anyone since Jamie though.

  “Yeah, sure.” I wrap my arms around my waist and allow Kelly to order us drinks since she’s the one with an ID. I could present my fake ID that she got me for this trip, but I’d rather not.

  Sounding all business, she says to the bartender, “We’ll take four shots of vodka straight,” without cracking a smile. The bartender gives her a sideways look, asks for her ID, then prepares our order. I can’t help but bite back a laugh.

  Hours later I’m feeling good. The blood running through my veins is warm thanks to the beer chugging contest. Kelly beat my ass, but who cares because drunk actually feels good.

  “Sash, would you mind if I took off with him?” She tilts her head to a guy waiting off to the side. He’s average height with thick-rimmed glasses. They were dancing together earlier.

  “You mean you’re going back to his room?” I ask like this is a foreign concept, which it isn’t or at least shouldn’t be.

  “Sash, OMG, Sash. I can’t believe I found you.” My sister, Meredith, is drunk off her ass as she comes up to me for a hug. I don’t want to rain on Kelly’s parade, and I guess I can hang with Mer.

  “Yeah, go ahead.” I wave Kelly off, my movements loose and languid.

  “You gonna hang with Mer?” Kelly asks, her mouth in a wide smile.

  “Yeah, me and my nerdy sister are gonna do a shot together.” Mer hangs her arm over my shoulder, nearly tipping us both over.

  I look down to my sister. “You’re eighteen. How did you get alcohol?” I ask. Not a moment later she waves her fake ID in the air.

  I turn to Kelly. “Go have sex,” I whisper. She squeezes my shoulder and squeals quietly. “It’s been so long, Sash. So damn long.” She sighs dreamily. She hasn’t had sex since her last boyfriend, a year ago. That’s apparently a dry spell.

  Mer and I head to the bar. She orders us two shots of tequila. We down the drinks. “I can’t believe we’re partying together, Sash. So exciting.” She laughs. Then she begins to dance at the bar. She’s only wearing a very revealing bikini top and a pair of cut-off shorts. A guy walks up behind her and wraps his arm around her waist. If it were me; I’d probably clock him, but Mer turns around and smiles before she knows who it is. I’m surprised that she seems to know the guy. She loops her arms around his neck as they begin to gyrate together. Not a moment later, he whisks her off to the pool, and I find myself alone and more than tipsy. The surrounding party seems a little loud and overwhelming, so I take a walk across the bridge, wanting to enjoy the sounds and fresh breeze coming off the ocean.

  Walking in the sand is more work than I realize. After I don’t know how long, my feet get tired, so I take a seat in the sand and just watch the waves roll in off shore. I’m apparently not a very friendly drunk. Who would have known? I bet Kelly is off having sex right now. Lucky girl. I want to have sex too, I pout in my head. Suddenly I feel a dark shadow hover over me.

  “Hey.” The deep timbre rolls my way, causing me to flinch.

  I startle but don’t pay the voice much attention. Maybe if I ignore the voice, it will go away.

  “Excuse me, miss?” That gravelly voice calls out again.

  I turn my head and make a poor attempt to smooth out my windblown hair. I should probably stand up just in case he’s some crazy person and I need to make a run for it.

  “You shouldn’t be out here this time of night on your own,” the guy says, and I take in his features. Dirty blond hair, man bun, clear green eyes, beard, muscles that go on for days, tattoos, a nose ring, eyebrow ring. He’s hot as hell but not my type.

  “Thanks, buddy, but if you don’t mind I’d like to be left to my thoughts.” I smile and sit back down. He’s too gorgeous to be a mass murderer. At least that’s what my mind tells me through the fog of alcohol.

  “I’m all for being with your thoughts, but there have been a string of attacks. It really isn’t safe out here.” He takes a step toward me. He lifts his hands in the air. “I suggest you get back to wherever you came from. I’m guessing one of the fancy hotels, right?” His lips twist in a wry smile.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I give him the once-over, and he lets out a dry chuckle.

  “Nothing.” He shakes his head. That wry smile and sparkling green eyes cause my belly to clench.

  “Good, then leave me to my thoughts.” I bob my head and refocus on the relaxing roll of the waves.

  “So, what are your thoughts?” he takes a seat beside me, causing me to give him a cross-eyed look.

  “Why are you sitting? I didn’t invite you to sit.” I scoff, and I know I’m being kind of snappy, but what’s up with this guy?

  “Right.” He runs a hand over his beard. “I can’t walk away and leave you out here. If something happened to you, it would weigh on my shoulders,” he explains, and my eyes drift to his wide muscular shoulders. I bite my lip. He’s not my type, but I feel a pull inside me. “So tell me, princess, what is bothering you?” he asks.

  “My father left my mother. My parents are getting divorced.” I look up to the sky. Why am I sharing my life with this guy? Must be the damn alcohol.

  “Shit! I’m sorry,” he says and he looks thoughtful and a little emotional over my words.

  “Yeah, I mean. I know I don’t live at home anymore, but there’s something so final in my parents divorcing,” I continue. Geez! What’s wrong with me? I quickly get to my feet. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m spluttering all this to a complete stranger.” I reach down for my flip-flops and fall in the sand. “Shit,” I mutter.

  The guy gets to his feet, his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “Don’t feel bad, princess. That stuff sucks at any age. You’re family is being torn apart. No matter how old you are, that’s your family, your base, what you’ve relied on all your life,” he says, and his words strike me in the middle of my chest and resonate. Yes, that’s exactly it. My family, my home, it won’t ever be the same again. Just like it wasn’t the same after Braden died.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve taken up enough of your time.” I begin to walk away, unsure which direction I came from. I walk left then turn around and go right. “Fuck,” I curse. Did I really just curse?

  The man chuckles, covering his mouth with his hand.

  “You don’t know where you’re going, do you?” he asks.

  I nod my head.

  “Do you need me to walk you back to your hotel? Where you staying at?” he asks and his Southern drawl is accentuated and so damn hot.

  “How do I know you aren’t some crazy attacker?” I ask, looking into his searing green eyes.

  He laughs.

  His eyes widen. “Princess, you just shared some real intimate details about your life with me. Now you’re scared I’m going to attack you?”

  “My name isn’t princess, buddy.” I shouldn’t be rude. I need help finding the hotel, but I could probably just walk up to that bar across the street and ask the bartender if he knows which way the Beach Hotel is.

  He has the audacity to laugh at me. “Oh! I know that isn’t your name, but you are a princess. Can you deny it?” He gives me a daring look.
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  I cross my arms across my chest and glare at him. Then I turn and walk away heading for that bar I noticed a moment ago: Captain Chris.

  As I strut off, anger courses through me, and I’m not even sure why. The anger turns to fear as I hear footsteps and feel him walking closely behind. I swivel around, trying to act brave. “Stop following me,” I practically shout.

  “I’m not following you, princess,” he answers and there he goes again, getting my blood boiling. What an irritating man. “That’s my bar your headed to. I’m Chris,” he says with a wide grin. “Listen, a girl was sexually assaulted not far from here a couple nights ago. Where are you staying? I’ll walk you back to your hotel,” he offers.

  “I may be drunk but not crazy. How do I know you aren’t the attacker and you’re just trying to trick me?” I cross my arms over my chest.

  His hand comes up and rests on his abdomen as he stares at me quietly for a brief moment. He turns to look behind him. “I just told you that’s my bar...” He blows out a breath “...you really are shitfaced. I’m trying to be a nice guy here.” His pointer finger comes up and taps his lip then he says, “Come,” and waves for me to follow him. I hesitate for a minute when I realize he’s walking toward the bar.

  The bar is filled with people hanging out and good music playing on the stereo. When we reach the entrance, he takes my hand in his. The rough skin of his hand against my soft skin causes a shudder to run through my body. I can’t be turned on by this guy. He looks messy and his piercings ... I want to hate those piercings because my mother would probably flip the hell out if I brought a guy like him home, but I don’t hate them. Instead, I find them sexy, alluring. He walks me right up to the bar like he wants to prove a point.

  There’s a handsome man working the bar. He’s got dirty blond hair, but it’s buzzed, and green eyes almost as searing as the guy holding my hand. “Logan, what’s my name?” Logan looks between me and this supposed Chris.

  “Chris. Why?” He looks confused.

  "Who owns this bar?" Chris continues and Logan’s brows dip together.

  “Uh, you do. What’s wrong with you?” Logan asks, giving him a look like he’s lost it.

  “Nothing. Thanks, man.” Chris smiles then looks back to me with a pointed glare. “See?” Then he returns his attention back to Logan. “Princess here’ll take a sparkling water.” He pauses and looks down to me. “Would you like a dash of lemon with that?” he asks, sounding pompous.

  “What is wrong with you? Why are you so condescending?” As I ask the question, Logan lets out a puff of air.

  “Tell me about it.” Logan rolls his eyes. “Chris here pretty much has a stick up his ass all the damn time,” he jokes. I think.

  Chris shoots him a death look. “Thanks, man.”

  Logan’s eyes turn wide like I have Chris pegged. “Sorry, man. Chick called it.” He shrugs his shoulders.

  Chris shakes his head as Logan passes me a sparkling water with a twist of lemon. “Um. I look down to realize I don’t have my wallet on me.

  Before I have a chance to say anything Chris says, “Don’t worry about it. It’s on the house.”

  Logan eyes Chris warily. I’m not sure why. “What?” I can’t help myself, but I ask Logan what the funny look is about.

  Logan nods. “You just aren’t his type is all,” he says drying off one of the glasses. “I’m intrigued.” Logan’s green eyes twinkle.

  “Get to work. Why you lingering here?” Chris chides him, wanting him to bug off. Can’t say I blame him.

  I stare at Chris. “No worries, my feelings aren’t hurt. You aren’t my type either.” I take a long draw of the sparkling water. Refreshing.

  “Sure thing, princess. Let’s get you back to that castle of yours,” he says, a little resigned. I don’t think I offended him. We are clearly opposites in every sense.

  Logan walks up to us again. “Hey, could you point me in the direction of the Beach Hotel?” I ask him.

  He eyes Chris before answering me then points. “Just a half-mile that way.”

  Chris sighs heavily. “I’m walking you back to that hotel of yours. I told you bad stuff is happening around here.”

  “He’s right,” Logan begins and then squints. “Sorry, didn’t catch your name.”

  “Sasha.”

  Logan smiles and extends a hand. “Nice to meet you, Sasha.” I shake his hand. He continues to eye Chris. “You should let him walk you. Make sure you get there safe,” he says, and he seems truly friendly and sincere—unlike Chris, who seems to be a man of few words.

  “Okay. Thanks.” I smile to Chris.

  He extends his arm to me and says, “Let’s go, princess. Let’s find your castle.”

  Chapter 2

  Chris

  “What is your problem?” She pulls her arm away from mine.

  “Me?” I ask, flabbergasted. “I’m being nice.” I sound whiny. What the hell is wrong with me?

  “You aren’t being nice. You’re condescending.” She snaps at me and her blue eyes spark with anger. Logan was right. I don’t like to date her type. She’s a princess. Too high-maintenance, and yet something about her draws me in. I don’t know if it’s because she looked like she was drowning out there on the sand, watching the waves roll in, or because she confided in me about her family, but something about this girl has me hooked. As much as I want to be a condescending prick and be on my way, another part of me wants her to want me as much as I seem to be craving her right now. There is a connection between us back there and I’m not daft. I know she’s drunk but alcohol is a truth serum, and she spilled her truths to me, maybe even her soul, and something inside me ignited. Something deep within me wants to get to know her better. She’s clearly down here for spring break, yet she prefers to be alone. That’s something I can definitely identify with. Even as a bar owner, I’m around people all day, but when we close the bar I wait for my peace and quiet.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to come across that way. I’m having a shitty night, okay?” I glare at her sideways.

  “Wanna talk about it?” she offers. And my gut reaction is to laugh her off, but I don’t want to be a prick. I just usually keep my personal life private. Especially when it comes to family. Only I can’t laugh at Sasha, not after she shared her family stuff with me.

  “It’s nothing really. My family is just fucked-up is all. Got a call from my dad tonight. We don’t see eye to eye,” I divulge.

  “Yeah, I don’t really get along with my dad either. It sucks.” She sulks, blowing out a breath.

  Our eyes meet and a common understanding passes between us. Her gaze is so intense with her large, round, blue eyes that I have to pull my gaze away because I feel like I’m falling for her, and I can’t fall for a college student who is here for a few days. Especially not a trust fund girl like this one. I work hard at my bar, make an okay living, but she and I live very different lives.

  “Which school you at?” I ask.

  She looks to me and says, “Princeton.”

  I nod my head. Of course. Two very different worlds, I confirm to myself.

  “Nice,” I reply then want to kick myself. Her brows dip together, but she doesn’t say anything. We walk quietly down the strip. The neon pink sign of the Beach Hotel flashes in the distance.

  Before I know it we’ve reached the back entrance to her hotel. I know I should bid her goodnight and never see her again. She doesn’t seem like she’s interested in a one-night stand that’s for sure, yet I can’t seem to bring myself to say goodbye. She’s beautiful, that’s a given, but there’s something in those blue doe eyes that pierces right through me. It’s like I’m exposed, completely bare, and not only do I want to spill all my secrets to her, but I want her to spill more of hers with no alcohol in her system.

  “I guess we’re here.” She sways a little.

  “Yeah,” I respond and it comes out as a sigh. This is so messed up. This girl couldn’t be further from my type in her prissy dress and dia
mond earrings, yet I want her like I’ve never wanted another woman before.

  Her eyes drop to my lips briefly and isn’t that a telltale sign that she wants me. I know I shouldn’t go there. She’s drunk for one, but she also seems like the type of person that doesn’t drink often. Being a bartender I’ve met lots of women from all walks of life. I’m a pretty good judge of character. I bet she’s still a teenager. She’s too young for me. She bites down on her lower lip and sucks it between her teeth. Fuck! A war brews in my mind.

  “Sasha, it was real nice meeting you.” My thumb comes up to brush the soft skin of her cheek. Touching her sends electricity through my body. “You should sleep off your drink.”

  A slow smile spreads across her lush lips. “So you aren’t a serial killer?” She laughs.

  I shake my head. “Told you. I just wanted to get you back here safely.”

  “Thank you, Chris.”

  The way she says my name sparks liquid heat inside me.

  “Anytime, Sasha.” I smile then lean forward and press a kiss to her cheek. I feel her breath catch and it’s so fucking hot. I hesitate. I should turn around and leave. She will not want a one-night stand. I convince myself that it’s wrong to see her again, and yet I can’t stop the words from spilling out of my mouth. “How ’bout I pick you up around noon and we take a drive?”

  “A drive?” she asks, her eyebrows dipping together.

  “Yeah, to the Keys or something. It’s real nice there.”

  Her blue eyes sparkle. “That sounds like fun.” Her heel twists, and she has a giddy look on her face. She’s adorable, not just beautiful. I begin to think I have her pegged all wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to call her a princess, even if she is a Princeton student.