Page 32 of My So-Called Perfect Life
I elbow her in the ribs. “No!Thiswas happenstance. I happened to be in the right place at the right time to give that man a piece of my mind.”
Mercy looks at her watch. “Well, it doesn’t seem like he’s here, so can we go downtown now? I don’t want to miss the show.”
Looking around one more time, I still don’t see him. “Yeah, I guess.” Rummaging through my bag, I search for some cash to leave for our drinks.
“Holy shit,” Amelia grabs my arm. “Please tell methat’sMr. Sexy.”
I turn and see Ryan wearing the same black Cohen’s T-shirt, which is clinging to every muscle of his perfectly chiseled chest. The same slicked-back hair and piercing blue eyes, which are honed in right on me.
“You!” I snarl before heading right for him.
Chapter Ten
Ryan
There’s something different in theair—like an extra charge—as I head back to the bar. I scan the room, looking for the source of the energy shift. Everything seems to be normal for the start of a Saturday night. Roxy and Marty are behind the bar, interacting with customers. Maria and Joel are fine on the floor, nothing of interest really taking place.
Huh? Weird, maybe it’s just my imagination. It’s been too long since I’ve gotten a day or two away from the bar. I think I need to look into a quick day trip somewhere—maybe an afternoon of hiking or mountain climbing. Seems like I may be in need of some Zen.
Placing my clipboard down at the end of the bar, I glance around one more time and I find it. The reason for the difference. There she stands. The woman who snuck out on me two weeks ago. She’s here, in the middle of my bar, looking sexy in her jean shorts and pink tank top. She was the last thing I expected to see after finishing up inventory of the stock room. Hopefully, she’s here for a repeat session.
Putting together tomorrow’s liquor order might just have to wait. I feel myself start to get hard just thinking about another night with her. I’m not a monk—far from it. I’ve been with a number of women. But, she’s been the only woman in a long time who has captured my attention.
She looked so beautifully sad that night she sat here, cursing her ex. There was fire and determination in her eyes while she thought about going out and enjoying the single life. Saying, “Screw you,” to her dumbass ex. There was no way I was going to let her out of here without trying to get her to leave with me instead. No way was I going to let another shithead get his hands on her body when I had two more than fully capable ones that knew just how to make her sing.
She’s gorgeous. She has it all—wit, beauty, confidence, and a fierce spirit.
I was shocked and, more importantly, disappointed when I returned from checking on Roxy and the bar downstairs, only to find her gone. When I disappeared with Danielle, I left Roxy a man down—completely screwing her when the late-night rush surged in. I needed to at least check-in. I wasn’t gone for more than twenty minutes, but it was still enough time for her to disappear, leaving behind only her ripped panties. I actually debated keeping them, but that made me feel like a perv.
I spot Danielle before she notices me. I watch as she speaks with her friends. She turns and her hair fans out around her like she’s in an ad for some hair care product. She pins me with her stare. Her jaw sets, and her eyes narrow. If this were a cartoon, steam would be coming out of her ears.
She stomps across the floor with her finger pointed at me. “You!”
What the hell?
If pure hatred had a look, it would be the one on Danielle’s face. She’s glaring at me as if I told her I set a village of small children on fire.
“You,” I repeat playfully, hoping to turn that sneer into a smile.
I don’t know much about this woman, but I do know that she slugged her ex and kicked him in the balls. She looks angry enough to do it again, only this time tomynose andmydick.
“You asshole!”
Her voice carries, and the din of the bar quiets as all eyes turn to her when she stops in front of me.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.” She stabs her finger into my chest. “You are a disgusting asshole.”
Disgusting asshole?“What the hell are you talking about? And can you keep your voice down? You’re starting to cause a scene.”
“I will not keep my voice down,” she yells louder, commanding the attention of the entire room. “I’m going to make a scene! Everyone needs to know you gave me chlamydia! Maybe then, it will prevent you from spreading it to other unsuspecting women!”
Holy shit! Chlamydia? Is she insane?
I’ve never had an STD in my life. Never mind passed it along to her.
Roxy looks at me with a sardonic smile. Marty just shakes his head while the patrons of my bar gasp.
