Page 119 of Bling

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Garrett took a step back and held up his hands. “I just wanted to contribute something, Doll”

“So, you provided an open bar? Do you know how much these people can drink? You’re going to wind up bankrupt before the night is over.”

Garrett laughed, amused that she was so irritated with him. Now he was wondering if the DJ he’d arranged for after ten was such a good idea. Hunter knew someone who was available.

“How about I get you a drink and you can be mad at me with a buzz,” he said with a wink.

Just then another unnamed cousin came swooping by. “Open bar, Iz, how cool is this?” he said holding up a cocktail.

Isabelle sighed and he knew she’d been worn down.

“OK fine. It was a good idea. Just don’t think you’re going to be able to buy your way into my family’s good graces.”

Garrett held her hand as they walked to the bar. They stopped to chat with various family members and Isabelle introduced him as her boyfriend. Something they’d talked about before arriving.

“What are we drinking tonight?” he asked as they stood in line at the bar.

“I think it’s a tequila kind of night.”

“Margaritas or shots?” he asked with a smirk.

“Maybe both,” she said with a grin.

He sighed. He’d been warned that a lot of drinking would happen tonight, and Isabelle had made it clear she intended to get drunk. Being drunk wasn’t his cup of tea, but he could enjoy a buzz now and then. Tonight, seemed like an OK night for it.

As they stood in line, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “By the way,” he murmured in her ear. “These jeans make your ass look even more amazing than normal. I’m really glad I took you shopping today.”

She giggled and squirmed her ass against his front.

“Naughty girl, teasing me like that. I know there’s a broom closet around here I can fuck you in,” he warned, as if the threat of fucking her would somehow deter her.

At the bar, he ordered them both shots of top shelf tequila and margaritas.

“Bottoms up, Doll.”

She knocked back the tequila as if she’d had years of practice. Meanwhile, Garrett just barely managed to get the smooth liquid down without sputtering. He bit the lime and tossed it into the glass.

“Sip it,” he chided when she gulped her margarita.

“Don’t be a buzzkill.”

He chuckled. “On the contrary, my dear Isabelle. I’m trying to prolong your buzz. If you get smashed before dinner, you’ll be in bed or hugging a toilet before ten. Drink slower and you’ll have more fun, I promise.”

Her face was already flush from the potent shot and she giggled. “You are so right. I actually think I was smashed before dinner last time. OK. We’ll do it your way. Sipping slowly,” she said raising her glass for a tiny sip.

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck, causing her to shudder before he said, “You should probably just go ahead and get used to doing things my way Doll.” He let his hand trail down her forearm until he reached her wrist where she wore his bracelet to drive his point home.

It worked because she fluttered her eyelashes at him. “With pleasure, Sir.”

He grinned. “Good girl.”

“Izzy, we’re doing poker again after dinner, you in?”

Garrett turned to see a lanky young man talking to her.

“I don’t know, Alan. I always lose so fast.”

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