Page 7 of Common Grounds

“Hi there,” she says suggestively. I widen my eyes and shake my head almost imperceptibly. I hadn’t meant for her to be a wingwoman tonight, but she’s undeterred. “Come here often?”

“No, actually.” Shit. His voice is gravelly and deep, and I can almost feel it rumbling through me. That voice singlehandedly pulls me to face him.

“I’m here with some buddies,” he says, then reconsiders. “Well, I’m here with a buddy and his friends.” He tips his chin, indicating the group of over-loud men in the back corner.

“You’re with them?” I recoil. It comes out of my mouth before I have the chance to stop it, but he’s so calm and casual, which is completely unlike the rest of those men with their bravado we can all hear over the music.

He laughs, the skin around his eyes crinkling. “Uh, sort of?” His gaze lands on me, and he blinks rapidly a few times, then his eyebrows pinch together slightly. He quickly looks me up and down, his smile changing into something genuine and welcoming. “I’m Trevor,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

I’m silent for too long as we both apparently can’t take our eyes off each other. Vi clears her throat, extending her hand around me for a handshake. “I’m Violet. This is Emery.”

He spares her a glance to shake her hand, but then his gaze meets mine again. His eyes are a smoldering amber color, even in the dark lights. They rival his cheekbones to win the most striking facial feature award. “Emery.” He says it like he’s trying it on, and the glint in his eyes would suggest he likes what he hears.

Violet kicks me under the bar and I yelp. “Shit, Vi. That hurt!” I reach down to rub my shin. “You’re wearing combat boots, for crying out loud.”

She shrugs. “Sorry.” It’s totally insincere.

Another man sidles up on the other side of her. He is all smooth pretense and suave attitude with his slicked-back hair, pale blue shirtsleeves unbuttoned and rolled up, and dark wash jeans. “Hey, ladies. I see you met my friend Trev. I’m Mike.”

He slides another inch closer to Vi, and her shoulders tense. I snort into my beer glass, and I notice out of the corner of my eye that Trevor has cocked an eyebrow as if he’s mostly curious how this is going to go. The guys from the booth in the back get up to leave, and Mike gives them a wave on their way out before addressing us again.

“Can I buy you lovelies another round?” he asks as the bartender deposits another drink in front of Trevor.

Vi defers to me with a questioning look. I eye my half-empty glass. “Sure,” I say, mostly because I want to see what happens when this Mike guy hits on my friend.

“Oh shoot,” Violet says, pulling her phone from her pocket and glancing at it as the bartender puts my beer in front of me. “My pregnant wife needs me.” She punctuates the words clearly, probably for Mike’s benefit. “I’m going to have to pass this time.” She stands, clapping me on the shoulder.

“You said she has a conference call with someone in China tonight.” I narrow my eyes at her.

“Well, you know your sister.” She chuckles good-naturedly. Then, for good measure, she adds in a singsong voice, “Never argue with a pregnant lady!”

Mike catches Trevor’s eye over my shoulder and raises his eyebrows in question, but I can’t see Trevor’s silent response.

“Sounds concerning. I should probably come with you,” I say. I know she’s full of shit, so I try to stand, but she tightens her grip on my shoulder.

“Not concerning at all. Happy wife, happy life. You know the drill,” she says through gritted teeth as she presses down on my shoulder almost painfully.

“You know what?” Mike says, slapping some money on the counter. “I’ll walk you out if you don’t mind.”

“What happened to your plan to stay out all night and have a good time?” There is a taunt in Trevor’s voice that is sexy as hell. I knew I should have charged that vibrator.

Mike fakes a yawn. “I’m not as young as I thought I was, man. It’s late.”

“It’s nine-thirty,” I say drily.

“Well past my bedtime, too.” Violet stretches her arms out dramatically.

“I thought Cass needed you.” I take a smug sip of my beer. I doubt I can get her to stay here, but I can at least give her shit for her inconsistent lies.

Vi shrugs, walking quickly toward the door with Mike on her heels. “Yep. She needs me. In bed.” She makes a vaguely sexual hand gesture, which makes me almost spit out my beer. “See you later!” She practically giggles as she holds the door open for Mike, then rushes out behind him.

I stare at the door for a moment before looking at Trevor, who is studying me with a soft smile on his face. He indicates the drinks in front of us. “Seems a shame to waste these,” he suggests.

“They did this on purpose.”

He sighs, running a palm against the stubble on his jaw. I suddenly and inexplicably want to run my own palm against it, to feel the coarse hairs scrape against my skin.

“They definitely did.” He faces me fully, leaning one arm on the bar. “I completely understand if you want to get out of here. I have a feeling you didn’t come out tonight to get hit on by some guy.”

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