Page 35 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Damn right you were.” His eyes took on that hungry look guys got right before they kissed her.
Oh God. She wasn’t ready. Thinking fast, she said, “We have to cheer for Birdie,” wriggled out of his arms, and spun around to watch Birdie. Her eyes caught on Ezra on the other side of the crowd, looking like he wanted to kill someone.Shitshitshit.
“Let’s go, Birdie!” Flame hollered, his body brushing against Sasha’s back.
Sasha’s mind ran in a dozen directions as they cheered for Birdie. She convinced herself to kiss Flame as many times as she convinced herself not to. If Birdie or one of their friends were in the situation she and Ezra were in, she’d tell them the guy was right to stop them before things got too complicated. So why was she having such a hard time accepting it?
After Birdie blew everyone away on the mechanical bull, they headed up to the bar for a round of shots. Birdie and Quinn veered off to talk to a couple of cute guys.
“Guess it’s just us,” Flame said. “Hey, Doc and Rebel made it.”
She followed his gaze to Doc, Rebel, and Ezra, chatting with a group of women. Could tonight get any more uncomfortable?
Doc waved them over.
Yup. It sure can.
They joined them, and Sasha tried to act normal and keep up with the various conversations, while the attractive brunette Ezra was chatting with practically draped herself all over him. She wasn’t a glutton for punishment. “I need a drink. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll get it,” Flame offered.
“No, that’s okay. Keep talking to the guys. I’ll be right back.”
Doc touched her arm, stopping her from walking away. “How’re you getting home?”
“Uber,” Sasha said.
“I’ve only had one beer, and I’ve got my truck,” Flame said. “I’ll be sure she gets home safely.”
Ezra looked like he had smoke coming out of his ears.
The nerve of him. Sasha flashed a flirty smile at Flame. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
She stewed as she made her way to the bar and was relieved to see Bobbie bartending.
Bobbie gave her a curious glance. “You look like you could use some tequila.”
“A whole bottle might do it.”
As she filled Sasha’s glass, she glanced over Sasha’s shoulder. “I can see why.”
Bobbie walked away, and Sasha turned just as Ezra reached her. He stepped in so close, the air felt supercharged.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked low and gruff.
“Getting a drink.” She picked up her glass and showed him, as if she weren’t at all affected by his close proximity or, she realized with a start, turned on by the jealousy rolling off him.
“Youknowwhat I’m talking about,” he growled.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t. Maybe your latest conquest does.” She lifted her chin and strode back to Flame, downing her liquid courage on the way.
Over the next half hour, she forced herself to focus on Flame. Not that it was a hardship. He was attentive, attractive, and sinfully good at flirting in a way that wasn’t blatant enough to raise Doc’s hackles. She was having a good time, but it was Ezra’s eyes on her, not Flame’s, that had butterflies swarming in her stomach.
“Country Girl (Shake It for Me)” came on, and she heard Birdie squeal seconds before Birdie and Quinn ran over to her.
“Come on!” Birdie exclaimed. “It’s our song.”
“Sorry,Flame,” Quinn added pointedly.
