Page 24 of Hot Summer's Prey

10

THE SADDEST SECRET HANDJOB

TERESA

“Ican’t believe I lost my shoes in the sex cave,” I mourn, wincing as my much-less loved pair of dance shoes dig into my heels.

“I can’t believe you got eaten out in a sex cave,” Taara mutters, shaking her head.

Once mama bear woke up, there was no avoiding her coming with me to the bar to make sure I made ‘good choices.’

I’m still not sure what I’ll do if I see Pacari again. But what I really want to do is make him regret ditching me like he did. I want him begging on his knees for forgiveness, and only then will I let him try anything else. No, correction—then I’ll let him try everything else.

Dawn is too caught up in whatever mystery she seems to have found in Zephyr’s things, and Anelisa is allergic to people, so they both stayed behind with Zephyr. Taara couldn’t be swayed, insisting someone had to go with me. ‘The buddy system.’ Not the most ideal wing-person for a night where I plan to really slut it up, but I can work around it.

Once we’re inside, I’m surprised by how busy it is. Compared to the other day, it’s poppin’.

“Is it a holiday or something?” I ask Taara.

She furrows her brow. “I don’t think so. Not any well-known ones, anyway.”

We sidle up to the bar, and the bartender from the other night, Lydia, catches my eye and winks. My heart does a little flutter. Something about being winked at by a pretty girl…

My eyes shoot over to Taara, whose mouth drops open slightly. I wiggle my eyebrows at her, and she glares at me.

“Nuh-uh, you know I’m on a dating ban,” Taara says.

“Okay, Miss Serial Monogamist,” I laugh. “I believe you.”

“Besides, she’s working. That’s so gross to hit on her while she’s working.”

“Mmm, you have a point there. Way to stand out from the crowd. She’s bound to fall into your arms because of your basic human decency.”

Taara pushes me and I laugh as I lean against the counter.

“Hey, Lydia!” I call out as she walks over.

“Hey, cutie!” she greets before her eyes run over Taara. “And cutie number two.”

I elbow Taara, and she elbows me back.

“Another Screaming Orgasm?” Lydia offers. “Or Sex on the Beach? You really get around, huh?”

Taara blushes, but I laugh. “This is my friend, Taara. She’s here to make sure I don’t end up in the clutches of some obscenely hot guy with a cute dog again.”

“Again? I’ll have to hear that story.”

“You saw some of it! It’s the guy I was making out with yesterday,” I say, surprised at how confused she seems.

“I’m not placing him, but I definitely remember you,” she says. “Those dance moves? Damn!”

“You really don’t remember the hottie with the dog? His name is Pacari. He might live around here?”

She furrows her brow, thinking hard. “Sorry, hun. Drawing a blank. I usually have a pretty good memory for faces and names. Comes with the territory.”

I sigh—both frustrated and deeply confused. “That’s fine. Can I get a… I dunno, what’s a good ‘fuck you, I’m so hot’ drink?”

“Depends on who you’re trying to impress. Me? I think any drink’ll look great in your hands if you tip well.”

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