Page 35 of Save Me
Lily shrugs. “Okay, sounds good.”
I get a cursory glance from both women then, just enough for them to assess my dress, my face, perhaps Ronan’s outstretched arm and their level of competition, before they offer a chorus of “laters”.
“Stop inviting women that work in my department home, man,” Ronan scolds as soon as they’re out of earshot. “You’re gonna get me into shit with HR.”
“Why?You’renot fucking them.”
But by his tone, it’s clear that Connor is.
“I can’t remember the brunette’s name,” he continues. “Mary? Marie? No …” He pauses, scratching his chin in thought, before he suddenly snaps his fingers. “Marni. That’s it. Damn, she was something. She does this thing with her tongue?—”
“Dude.”
“What, I can’t even talk about it now?” Connor scoffs. “Just ’cause you’re the big kahuna around here, the top dog, the grand pooh-bah?—”
“Shut up,” Ronan mutters.
Connor leans in to mock whisper, “He used to bewaymore fun.”
“I can only imagine.” But the ill feeling that started to build in my stomach has vanished instantly.
“You know, he got kicked out of a bar in Miami once for getting a blow job in the middle of—oof!” His wordscut off as Ronan’s hand leaves my back to reach around and shove him.
My mouth gapes.
That seems to egg Connor on. “And you wouldn’t believe what he ordered me to do tonight. His boss, Belinda, needs?—”
“I swear tofucking God, Con,” Ronan warns with a growl.
They exchange looks, and a silent conversation seems to pass over my head—literally and figuratively.
With a devilish grin, Connor finally quiets.
“So, what’s on the menu for tonight?” I ask, steering the conversation away from Connor’s needling and stories of Ronan’s past sexcapades.
“No clue. I was told I have to be here, so I’m here. I’m sure it’ll be good, though.” Ronan’s fingers trace a circle on my back before his palm settles there again.
I stifle my sigh of contentment.
“Fuck, I hope it’s not like that weird shit they had at the wedding,” Connor complains. “What was it called again? Those flying fish eggs.”
Ronan chuckles. “Tobiko.”
“They had that weird crunchy popping texture.” Connor’s face morphs with disgust. “I’ll try anything once, but, man, I’d rather drink a glass full of cum than ever put those in my mouth again.”
I grimace.
“Yeah, see?” He points at my face. “That’s me, but with tobiko.”
“Did I say he cleans up well?” Ronan shakes his head at his friend as we swing right and out of a set of doors
“Wow.” It slips out from my lips unbidden.
“Right?” Ronan nods in agreement as we take in the hotel’s outdoor bar that overlooks the beach and the gulf waters. I’ve seen it from the other side, while walking along the shoreline, but the vista from this angle is decadent.
The color scheme is sand and gold, which only amplifies the idyllic view of the fiery sunset descending into the water horizon. Palm trees sway above while an expanse of stonework allows for various levels, maximizing the opportunity for a good view. Front and center is a square bar with a roof above and seating all around to accommodate at least two dozen patrons.
Twenty or so well-dressed people mill around, chattering in small groups, while a server in a blush-colored uniform weaves around with a platter. I see what Ronan means now, about my dress matching the hotel’s color scheme. Not quite, but close.
