Page 4 of Love Is Ale You Need

He tilts is head. “What’s that supposed to mean? Guys like me?” he asks, not in indignation but curiosity.

“You save a girl,” I use air quotes around the first four words, “and expect her to be wooed by your manliness and fawn all over you. Which I'm sure leads to a night between the sheets. Then, once it's over you throw her out like discarded trash.”

“So, my manliness does nothing for you?”

“Not. A. Single. Thing.”

When my gaze shifts to his, dark steely gray eyes meet mine as a slow smile spreads across his face. I've seen him flash that same smile at countless women here, but this is the first time it’s aimed at me. I understand how it could entrance them, but I have more willpower. I think.

Needing his attention off me, I nod at a table where several women gather around. “Don’t you have some girls to flirt with? There’s a bunch here, or have you already been with them all?”

Without taking his eyes off me, he shrugs his shoulders. “Nah. The only girl I want to talk to is standing in front of me.”

I shake my head, fighting hard to hold back a smile of my own. He must have an entire book full of one-liners. “Too bad I’m immune to whatever charm you think you have.”

“I’ll have you know I have more charm than one of those overpriced charm bracelets with all the dangling hearts, butterflies, and chat bubbles.”

“Chat bubbles?”

He nods viciously. “Oh, it’s a thing.”

“It sounds like you’ve been scorned by a charm bracelet.”

“Nah. Just the women who wear them.”

“I’ll be sure to wear my charm bracelet next time.”

He flinches. “That’s harsh.”

“How about a beer to cheer you up?” Mostly, I need away from him. He has me in a stranglehold with his playful banter. Never would I think I’d be bantering with Trey. He’s only good at getting women to take their clothes off. Not this.

“Deal. IPA.” He nods to the row of taps.

I reach for a pint glass. Once the golden liquid kisses the rim, I slide it across the bar top. From across the room, one of his friends yells for him, motioning him over with a wave. As he reaches for the glass, our fingers brush against each other’s. My gaze flits to his as a burst of electricity flows between us. It’s like the slow motion moment before a bolt of static electricity zaps you, catching you off guard. I yank my hand away, grab a rag, and wipe down the already clean bar. What in the fresh hell was that?

The corners of his lips twitch, telling me he felt it too. Before walking away, he turns toward me. "Just so you know, I wouldn't throw you out."

Before I can respond he pivots on his feet. Halfway to the backroom, a woman at a nearby table halts his progress. She runs her hand down his arm and shoves her chest in his face. My jaw clenches with each graze of her finger over his buttons of his dress shirt. When he flashes his dimpled smile at her, I roll my eyes and return to serving the next customer. It was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

THREE

CUDDLE FOR ONE

Trey

I’ll admit, Rylee was never on my radar until four days ago. She’s not a damsel in distress, but a damsel who will karate chop you in the jugular if you cross her and, damn, it’s hot. Our verbal sparring is some of the best foreplay I’ve ever had. It’s something I haven’t had in a long time. After I walked away, a former hook up rubbed herself against me, vying for my attention. Oddly enough, I wasn’t interested. Instead, my mind was still on the feisty brunette behind the bar.

The leather executive office chair is cool against my back. I kick my legs up on the mahogany desk, crossing one ankle over the other. After graduation, I got a junior agent position at Harbor Highlands’ largest and fastest growing real estate and development firm. Throughout the years, I’ve been able to climb the ladder to managing director at The Blue Stone Group.

I pull my phone from my pocket, unlock the screen, and click on my messages.

Trey

Hey, what are you doing tonight? Catch up with beers at Porter’s?

Bennett

I can’t. I have a table I need to finish sanding and staining before the weekend.

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