Page 44 of Most Likely to Fear Love

Once more, the women knocked back their shots in perfect synchronization. Cassidy’s eyes watered as she set her glass down, but she was laughing along with the others.

“Another!” Nikki shouted.

“No!” Cassidy yelled over the din. That had my eyes widening.

Jen frowned. “What the fuck? You’re not giving up already?”

“Absolutely fucking not! But you gotta have a cock sucking cowboy. This one’s on me.”

The girls cheered, making Cassidy laugh. Moments later, the drinks were laid out and knocked back in seconds flat.

Cassidy hiccupped as she slammed the glass back down on the bar. “Fuck, I’m a bit of a lightweight these days.”

I felt her sway against me, her balance clearly affected. Without thinking, I reached out to steady her, my arm wrapping around her waist.

“Whoa there,” I murmured, leaning in close so she could hear me over the din of the bar. “You okay?”

She giggled, her eyes bright with alcohol-induced amusement. “I’m fine, just a little... wobbly.”

“Next round’s on me! Who wants beer?” Amy called out.

“Me!” Cassidy yelled.

Another chorus of cheers went up from the group. Cassidy didn’t join in, instead leaning more heavily against me. The warmth of her body seeped through my shirt, and I fought to keep my breathing steady.

“I think I might need to sit down,” she mumbled, her words slightly slurred.

“You are sitting down, darlin’.”

“Oh. Fuck.” Another giggle. “Okay, well I think I might need to…” She leaned into me, her head resting against my shoulder. “You wanna know something?”

“Mmm?”

“I’m not really a hugger.”

“No?”

“Nope. Don’t really like it. Do you?”

There was a note of uncertainty, of vulnerability, in her tone that made me want to do just that. Wrap my arms around her and hold her close. More than anything. “Yeah, I’m a fan.”

She snuggled a little closer, still without going all the way in for a proper cuddle. “Thanks, Harle.” Her voice was so soft I had to bend my head to hear her. “You’re always looking out for me.”

The simple statement hit me like a punch to the gut. I swallowed hard, acutely aware of every point of contact between us.

“That’s what friends are for, right?” I managed to say, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.

Cassidy hummed in agreement, her eyes drifting closed for a moment. The bartender arrived with a tray of beers, setting them down in front of the rowdy group of women.

I felt like I was on fire. Cassidy’s warm body pressed against mine, her head still resting on my shoulder as she sipped her beer. The girls around us chattered and laughed, but I could barely focus on anything beyond the woman in my arms.

“This is nice,” she murmured, her breath tickling my neck. “You’re comfy.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Glad I could be of service.”

She giggled, the sound vibrating through her body and into mine. “My own personal Harle-chair.”

She settled back against me, seemingly oblivious to the effect she was having. I took a long pull of my beer, desperately trying to cool the heat coursing through my veins. But with every casual touch, every innocent shift of her body, I felt myself falling deeper into a pit I wasn’t sure I could climb out of.

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