Page 3 of The Bitter Rival

“So, yes. To your sister’s question, then.”

I shoot him a blank look, baffled by this conversation.

“Yes. I’d love to eat your pussy.”

I feel my legs wobble and discover he’s intuitively reached down to steady me. Looking up at him, stunned by such a bold statement, I’m greeted with a sultry smirk.

Leaning into me, his hand still at the small of my back, he continues. “What’s the matter, good girl? Afraid of the big bad wolf?” His deep voice coats me like a sensual oil. My body feels aglow, provoked by his daring words and his dreamy scent. “It’s one night. Let me please you for just one night,” he probes with a hushed, gravelly tone.

Trying to gather my wits, I stare up at this brazen man. Hell, I’m sure he could please me like no one else ever has. Yet, the cockiness of his pursuit has me on edge. I’m not sure I’m willing to release all control to a man like this, even if it is only for one night. And that I’m sure of. There’s no doubt who will be calling the shots if I go home with him.

Unable to string two words together, I purse my lips, spin on my heel, and head back to the table and the safety of my sister.

“What on earth? What’s going on, B? You look flushed. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I belt out, finishing off my margarita in one toss. “I thought I was going to the restroom, but instead, I ended up in the shark tank.”

Bailey’s eyes spring wide in recognition of my statement. “Oh my gosh, spill. Did he put the moves on you?”

“Did he? Lord, that man’s something else.” I briefly eye Bailey’s cocktail glass to see if she has anything remaining I can steal from her.

“What could it hurt, Bella? One night? You’re both adults. So long as you’re safe, why not go get you some hot and dirty?” She laughs, looking over her shoulder in a nonchalant attempt at locating the overconfident playboy.

I admit it’s tempting. I’ve been alone for a long time. My divorce was a wake-up call. I was completely blindsided by his decision to end the marriage. There was no attempt at counseling. No infidelity I’m aware of. He simply said hecouldn’t do it anymore. As if being married to me was a chore. I’d stood by him for years, allowing his dreams of a future in medicine to best any of mine, and yet I was the chore.

It took a while to recover from the devastating blow. If my radar was that off after the years we’d spent together, I knew I wouldn’t be able to trust someone new in my life. And there wasn’t room for anyone else anyway. I’ve focused on becoming independent and pursuing a degree. I’ve had a few relationships with men over the years, but none of which were in any way serious. Honestly, the liaisons felt more like a friends with benefits scenario. Yet, I wouldn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt me again, so what did I expect? At least I had occasional company with the opposite sex so I wouldn’t dry up completely.

It’s been over a year since I’ve been in any relationship with a man where sex was involved. Usually, I’m too busy to reflect on the absence of male company, but it appears my desperation is a prime hunting ground for the lethally finned prowlers in the water tonight. And this one scares me every bit as much as the one in the movie. The shark that would devour its victims whole. I couldn’t shake the feeling, one night or not, I’d befall the same fate.

“Excuse me, ladies,” the waiter interjects, redirecting my thoughts. I watch as he places two fancy cocktails on the table.

“Did you order more drinks?” I ask Bailey, not realizing she was looking to get hammered tonight. Although my sister is taller than I, she’s a tiny wisp of a woman. More than two drinks, and I’d have to take her home personally.

“No,” she answers, appearing as stunned as I am.

“These are from the gentleman at the bar,” the kind waiter instructs.

Bailey and I both turn simultaneously to find the arrogant playboy tipping his scotch glass in our direction. Looking back to the table, I notice Bailey inspecting the two cocktails carefully.

“What are these?” she asks.

“This one’s a Dark ‘N Stormy, and this one is a Screaming Orgasm.”

Bailey doesn’t even pretend to hide her laugh. I, on the other hand, turn and cock a distasteful brow in the waiter’s direction before pushing the drink closest to me away with my index finger. I’m surprised at the juvenile attempt of this haughty man to needle me. This is more the act of an overgrown frat boy than an overconfident playboy. I turn back to Bailey, confident in my decision to end my evening alone.

“Okay, call me crazy, Bella. But I think you’re making a mistake. That man is hot as sin. A guy like that doesn’t come around often. Who knows, maybe he’s in town for the bike race, and you’ll never see him again.” She lifts the Dark ’N Stormy cocktail and takes a sip, making a face of approval as she lowers it back to the table. “Look at it this way. If you’re looking to get an itch scratched, well, I bet he has really good hands.” Bailey begins to laugh but abruptly comes up short.

Wondering what’s changed her facial expression, I follow her gaze to see a striking blonde saddle up to the bar in front of the man in question. She’s tall, thin, and appears several years younger than I am. Well aware of my curvy, petite frame suddenly has me feeling a bit dejected. This is silly. I didn’t want anything to do with him anyway. What should I care if a blonde bombshell is flirting with him? I observe the two of them as they appear to make conversation and sit stunned as I see his arm slink around her waist, laying his hand on the small of her back. My body tenses in response to his familiarity, and I’m immediately incensed at the effect this is having on me.What is wrong with you, Isabella? He’s a player. Let that shark take a bite out of some other unsuspecting female.

Sebastian

“Fancy seeing you here, Sophia,” I greet cautiously as she slinks closer.

“I could say the same for you, Sebastian. This isn’t your usual haunt. Looking for some fresh meat?”

Truth or not, hearing this fall from her well-glossed lips stings a little. Thirty-six years old, and this is my life. Finding a new woman to fuck for the night who won’t want to get her tentacles into me. I instantly feel tense. Not sure if it’s having this reality acknowledged by another person or the fact it’s from Sophia that has my hackles drawn.

I take in the stunner in front of me briefly as I sip my scotch. She’s statuesque with curves in all of the right places. She’s well-groomed and carries herself like an heiress. Sophia is the eldest daughter of an upper-middle-class family. While not a pauper, she’s far from the socialite she carries herself to be. Yet, in my experience, her life’s mission appears to be climbing the economic and social class ladders by sleeping her way to the top. And I should know. I narrowly avoided falling into her trap.

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