Page 71 of Wild About You
I laugh louder as I link my arms around his neck.
“What do you want to do?” he asks, then tips his head toward where people are still playing pool and darts. A few guys are playing cards, others are on the PlayStation. I think Leo and Scarlett already left because I don’t see either of them.
What I’d like to do is go upstairs and kiss him until the sun comes up, but I know how rare a night like this is where he can let loose with the guys, so I step back from him and survey the options.
“I have an idea.”
He cocks a brow but doesn’t speak as I lead us to two open barstools. Johnny Maverick is still behind the bar. He’s acting as DJ and bartender.
He leans over the bar when we sit down. “Can I get you two something to drink?”
“What can you make?” I ask.
“Anything in this book.” He stands tall and drops a cocktail recipe book on the bar in front of me.
“Tyler here will have one of these.” I point to a blue drink that has a cherry garnish, then flip a few more pages until I find another that looks interesting. “And one of these.”
“On it.” Mav takes the book back and gets busy finding the ingredients.
I turn so that my knees bump against Tyler’s. He looks like he’s going to protest the drinks and I understand why, but I really want him to have this. Just tonight.
“I know. You don’t want to drink so that you are available if Everly needs you. I can’t tell you how sexy that is. She’s so lucky to have you. But tonight, let me be the responsible one.” I set the unopened hard seltzer on the bar. “I only had one. I have my phone on me and I promise to check it every hour. I will make sure Everly has a ride or bail money if she needs it.”
He glowers at the last remark.
“You need a night off. Every parent and overprotective brother does.”
The corner of his mouth twitches.
“Plus, I’m curious what kind of drunk you are.”
He lifts his brows and leans forward. His legs envelop mine on either side.
Maverick sets the first drink down on the bar, complete with a cherry.
“Thanks,” I say as I scoot the glass toward Tyler. “Do you have any water back there?”
“Yep.” He gets it for me, even putting a coaster down first.
I look at the glass expectantly when Tyler still doesn’t pick it up.
“I’m not really that different from when I am sober,” he says.
“Prove it.” I lift the fruit from Tyler’s drink and pop it in my mouth. He watches my lips with heat that pools in my stomach.
I’m not sure he’s going to give in, but eventually he wraps those long fingers around the glass and brings it up to his lips, drinking as he keeps his gaze locked on me.
“Verdict?” I ask as he swallows.
“Would have been better with the cherry.” He moves in, sweeping his lips over mine and then diving in for a kiss that curls my toes.
“That’s so sweet,” I say. Even off his tongue, my mouth puckers.
“Mav, can I get another shot of whatever’s in this.” He slides the glass across the bar. “I’ll have a sugar rush before I’m drunk with that drink.”
Excited, I sit a little taller. “We should play a drinking game.”
He keeps one hand on my thigh as he leans back on the stool. “You’re not drinking.”
