Page 3 of Love Is Ale You Need

“Guys like him are all the same. Hell, I was married to a guy exactly like him. They’re not worth your time.” Amongst many other things, like knocking you up and promising he’ll take care of you while also sticking his dick in other women, but I keep that to myself.

Our gazes anchor to Jake as he storms past us and down the hallway toward his office. This time sporting a wooden gavel in his hand.

I stab the knife into a lemon. “Anyway, the more money they have, the bigger assholes they are. Based on the designer suits he wears, he’s plenty of both.”

She twirls her blonde ponytail around her finger. “I don’t know. I think you’re judging him too harshly. What if he fosters puppies and kittens because he has so much love to give." With a hand on her waist, she pops her hip. “Wouldn't you feel like an ass for judging him so harshly?"

I bark out a laugh. “No. Plus, I highly doubt it.” Images of Trey with a gaggle of puppies and kittens pouncing all over him as he lays on the floor, shirtless, flash before me. Ugh! Of course, he's shirtless. All my daydreams of him are shirtless. Trey and his friends have been coming into the bar since before I started working here. My first impression of him was he’s hot. But it didn’t take long to see him for who he really is. A playboy. Night after night he would have a different girl on his arm. That’s when I slammed the door on anything happening outside my daydreams. A customer takes a seat at the other side of the bar, and I abandon my thoughts and the conversation with Nora.

Over the next hour, we busy ourselves with customers serving drinks and taking food orders. After everything settles down, I pour myself an ice water as a guy sits on the abandoned stool across from me. His dark hair matches the scruff along his strong jaw. His lips tip up in a sexy half-smile I wouldn’t mind waking up next to. But the most attractive thing is, he’s sporting a t-shirt and not a three-piece suit.

“What can I get you?” I ask.

His gaze drifts from my face and lingers on my chest before sliding up. “Are you an option?”

Scratch that. He just went from semi-cute to jackass in two-point-two seconds. “No.”

“Are you sure? You look a little tense. I could ease that for you.” He rests a hand on the smooth wood surface and the silver band on this left hand glints from the overhead lights.

If Jake wouldn’t fire me, I’d punch him in his smug face. According to him, it’s his bar so he does the punching. Not only is the guy in front of me a jackass, but also a cheating bastard. I rest my hand on the bar top and lean in. He does the same. I jerk my chin toward his hand before squaring my gaze with his. He snaps his hand back and hides it behind the bar.

Too slow, asshole. “So, drink or no drink?”

He clears his throat. “How about a Vodka Collins and your phone number.” He flashes me another half-smile. That must be his signature move and the only thing he can offer.

“Oh, you want my phone number?" He unlocks his phone and waits as if he believes he's charming enough that I'll give it to him. "Five. Five. Five. Go to hell.”

His head jolts up from his phone. “That’s too many numbers.”

“Fucking hell,” I mutter, pushing off the bar. Twisting around, I grab a bottle of vodka and a glass. When I’m finished with his drink, I slide it in front of him. Before I can pull my hand away, his fingers wrap around my wrist.

Red-hot rage courses through my veins as I glower at his hand on mine. Slowly, I lift my head, my glare as sharp as broken glass. “Touch me again and I’ll shove this vodka bottle down your throat… sideways.” I hold up the half-full bottle. Immediately, he releases his grip but keeps his hand on the bar.

“Is that some new, kinky foreplay?”

“I wouldn’t test her. I’ve seen her throw bigger guys out on their ass.” Out of nowhere, Trey wedges himself between the asshole and an empty stool.

He sizes Trey up and huffs out a laugh. “And what are you? Her enforcer?”

Trey shrugs. “More like a cheerleader. By the daggers she’s throwing your way, she doesn’t need my help.”

The asshole’s glare cuts to me. “You’re not worth it,” he sneers and grabs his drink before shouldering past Trey.

A cocky smile covers Trey’s face. His gaze is glued to the asshole as he disappears into the crowd. Once he's out of sight Trey turns his attention to me. “That guy's a dick.”

I hold up the bottle again, done with the bullshit. “The same offer extends to you.”

“Got it.” His smile never falters as he holds up his hands in defense.

I blow out a small breath. Trey’s not the enemy. I lower my arm, setting the bottle on the bar. “Thanks, but I had it covered.” Reaching over, I grab the empty coaster and toss it into the trash. There’s only been one time where a guy got too handsy and I needed Jake and Lach to help escort him out. Other than that, I’ve always held my own.

He rests his elbows on the bar and leans in. “But I can be your enforcer if you need.”

“I’ll pass. I know how to handle guys like him,” I snap.

“Well, if you ever—”

“Don’t. I can take care of myself. I don’t need guys like you trying to come and save the day like a knight in Armani armor.”

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